From Access to Inclusion: CEE helps bring the ADA’s Spirit Online

Supporting Instructors Through the Shift to Digital Accessibility

A person stands on the grass in front of the United States Capitol building holding a large white sign that reads “Disability Matters.”
Image Description: A person stands on the grass in front of the United States Capitol building holding a large white sign that reads “Disability Matters.”

With new federal accessibility requirements taking effect in 2026, many instructors, teaching assistants, and staff are asking what these changes mean for their courses and materials. The transition marks an important step forward, and we’re navigating it together. The Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) is here to help with practical guidance, tools, and hands-on support to make accessibility a sustainable and achievable part of everyday teaching and learning at UC Davis.

The Crawl Toward Inclusion

On March 12, 1990, sixty disability rights activists left their wheelchairs and mobility aids at the bottom of the U.S. Capitol steps and began to crawl upward in protest of Congress’s delay in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Among them was eight-year-old Jennifer Keelan, who pulled herself up the marble steps, saying, “I’ll take all night if I have to.” That act of determination, now known as the Capitol Crawl, helped push the ADA into law that summer, ensuring accessibility in public spaces across the country.

But in 1990, no one could have imagined how much of our public life would soon move online. The ADA, groundbreaking as it was, didn’t include guidance for websites, apps, or digital learning environments. In 2024, the Department of Justice updated Title II of the ADA to extend those protections into the digital world. Now we have an opportunity to ensure the virtual spaces we create, our courses, websites, and digital tools, are as accessible and inclusive as the physical ones the ADA first promised. These changes mark a major step forward in promoting digital equity across higher education.

What’s Changing in April 2026

The new ADA Title II update takes effect April 24, 2026, establishing a federal standard for digital accessibility in state and local government entities, including public colleges and universities. For higher education, this means that digital content, course materials, departmental sites, learning management systems, and communications should meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

If WCAG standards are new to you, you’re not alone, and CEE is here to help.

Remembering Our "Why"

At its heart, accessibility isn’t just about compliance; it’s about equity, retention, and student success across every modality. By ensuring that everyone can access and engage with digital materials, we embody the UC Davis Principles of Community and uphold the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), promoting equal participation for all. Each small accessibility step, such as adding alt text, using clear headings, and captioning videos, moves us closer to a truly inclusive university.

How CEE Can Help

The Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) is supporting instructors and staff as we transition to accessible-by-default practices. Dr. Katie Healey, disability historian and accessibility specialist, launched the UC Accessibility (A11Y) Project last year to promote inclusive and accessible education across the UC system. The project features Canvas modules, guest speakers, trainings, and newsletters with guidance on Universal Design for Learning and accessibility best practices.

This year, CEE will expand those efforts by:

  • Releasing a Digital Accessibility Toolkit with practical checklists, templates, and examples
  • Hosting drop-in Zoom office hours for quick consultations
  • Offering hands-on workshops on making Canvas courses, slides, documents, and media accessible

Continuing the Work

Accessibility is an ongoing commitment. By designing digital spaces that welcome every learner, we honor the legacy of those who fought for access and ensure that inclusion continues to move forward, both on campus and online.

Contacts for Support

Explore Accessibility Resources

 

Media Resources

https://motc.org/jennifer-keelan-chaffins/