Leadership Message: Upcoming federal digital compliance requirements for web content, mobile applications

Dear Colleagues,

UC Davis Health is committed to equal access to care and services for all our patients and community, and that commitment is underscored by compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Recent updates to the implementing regulations of Title II of the ADA take effect on April 24.

Specifically, the new regulations require compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA standards) in web content and mobile applications. This means that digital products – from websites and PDFs to presentations, forms, videos, social media and some types of emails – must be usable by people of all abilities.

Digital accessibility ensures that we can all access and engage with UC Davis Health’s content and services. It reflects our values of inclusion, accountability and public service, and it fulfills our obligations under the ADA and Section 508.

What this means for you

We ask that you review your digital content for accessibility barriers and make updates as needed. Success also requires ensuring new content is accessible.

We are providing tools and support in coordination with the UC Davis campus and UCOP to make these changes manageable for UC Davis Health web and social media users. The University of California has released helpful information on the issue.

Things you can do

1. Review your website content for accessibility barriers and begin to address them – identify issues like images without descriptions, documents that screen readers cannot parse, or videos without captions and audio descriptions. Begin the remediation process.
   
   
2. Review PDFs and other documents for accessibility. PDFs should be used only when necessary and must include correct tagging, reading order and alternative text. Remove any outdated or non-essential and non-accessible documents, move documents behind a login or archive if no longer needed. Use built-in accessibility checkers such as WAVE, AXE, Grackle Docs or Siteimprove.
   
   
3. Identify a local accessibility focal point or “champion” on your team who can participate in workshops and share what they learn.

The scope of work depends on your existing digital content. Some may need minimal updates, while other content may require more substantial changes. Additionally, exceptions exist, such as archived web content and preexisting social media posts, but these are limited.

Keep in mind that digital accessibility requirements do not stop after the deadline. We will need to keep our current and future digital content accessible by continually aligning with WCAG 2.1, Level A and AA guidelines. Here is a federal fact sheet that provides more detail.

We recognize that these requirements arrive during an already demanding period for all aspects of our health system’s work. Our goal at UC Davis Health is to make compliance manageable, and to ensure that you have the tools and support you need. 

Please reach out to webcommunications@health.ucdavis.edu if you have questions or would like support and additional information. 

Yours in health,

Ryan Davis
Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer
UC Davis Health