Digital accessibility is by no means a new topic in higher education. For years, advocates have been asking colleges and universities to make their websites and online content accessible to students with disabilities. There have been some expensive lawsuits at select schools, but apart from these isolated legal actions, there hasn't been much pressure on schools to make changes—until now.

A new rule to a federal disability law will require U.S. public universities and colleges to remediate their websites for digital accessibility. If you're a college student with a disability whose school isn't meeting your educational needs, you should take action. You should call the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm. We help students with disabilities stand up to their institutions and demand their rights. Call 888-535-3686 or send us a message via our contact form.

Colleges and Universities Start Feeling the Pressure on Digital Accessibility

In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice formally added new language to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which specifies technical standards for web content that public colleges and universities offer on their websites. Schools will have to make their online content—which includes online courses—more accessible to students with disabilities. For most institutions, these changes need to be made by April 2026 in order to remain compliant and eligible for federal funding.

Since colleges and universities have been publishing websites on the internet, they haven't been concerned with making them accessible to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, poorly sighted, unable to use a traditional mouse or keyboard or have any physical disability that makes consuming web content difficult or impossible. With the rule change to Title II, that will have to change. On average, college and university homepages have 26 accessibility errors. While remediating these digital accessibility issues will be a big undertaking for higher education institutions, it's a necessary step to ensure all students can access the same information.

What to Do If Your School's Digital Content Isn't Accessible

If your college or university fails to make the content you need for coursework or other college-sponsored activities and programs accessible to you, you shouldn't have to just deal with it or find a third-party solution. You should hold your school to account. At the Lento Law Firm, we help students with disabilities stand up for their rights against their colleges and universities. Nobody should have to put up with unfair treatment whilst trying to get an education.

After the April 2026 (and April 2027 for some colleges) deadline, it'll be much easier to take on higher education institutions that fail to prioritize accessibility. If you're tired of your school not providing you with what you need to succeed, call the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team at 888-535-3686. You can also send us a message via our contact form, and a member of our team will reach out to you.