Frequently Asked Questions

The federal requirement under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is that public institutions work toward full digital accessibility by April 24, 2027. SVSU is actively working to meet this expectation across all digital content and systems.

While the goal is full compliance, certain limited exceptions may apply, such as clearly identified archived materials.

If full compliance is not achieved by April 24, 2027, SVSU will continue working toward that goal. It is important that the university can demonstrate a strong commitment to accessibility, along with clear and consistent progress across departments.

Note: SVSU is considered a large public entity under federal guidelines. The rule sets a deadline for entities serving populations of 50,000 or more, and for universities, that population includes not just enrolled students, but also faculty, staff, prospective students, alumni, and the broader community accessing its services. As a result, SVSU falls into the 50,000+ category and is required to meet the new 2027 compliance deadline.

Improving accessibility does not have to happen all at once. Focus on the areas you manage and take a phased approach:

• If you manage course content, begin with your instructional materials
• If you manage department webpages, start with your website
• Review and update documents and PDFs, prioritizing high-use content
• Make gradual improvements and document your progress

Support is available across campus:

• Academic content: Contact the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL)
• Websites and digital content: Contact Web Operations
• Technical tools and systems: Contact IT Support

Departments can also request targeted guidance or training based on their specific needs.

SVSU recognizes that some digital content may still require remediation. The expectation is that all content is fully accessible by April 24, 2027.

SVSU expects faculty and departments to:

• Prioritize high-impact and actively used content
• Improve accessibility in new and updated materials
• Make steady, documented progress over time

After April 2027, any remaining inaccessible content should be addressed as quickly as possible, with priority given to materials that are actively used or requested. Processes should be in place to remediate content upon request and ensure timely access for users.

Digital accessibility is an ongoing effort, not a one-time project. The goal is to build accessibility into everyday practices across the university.

Accessibility for complex STEM notations and equations is still evolving across platforms and assistive technologies.

To improve accessibility:

• Use built-in equation editors in Canvas or Microsoft Office rather than inserting equations as images or screenshots
• Avoid images of equations whenever possible
• Provide additional explanations or context when equations are complex

Start with practical improvements in the areas you control:

• Use accessibility features in Canvas and course tools (such as extended time for approved accommodations)
• Keep content organized and manageable (for example, limit the number of questions per page when possible)
• Provide alternative text for images and visual content
• Use built-in tools (such as equation editors) instead of images for structured content

Small changes can significantly improve accessibility and usability for students.

Many video platforms used provide auto-generated captions, but these are not fully accurate.

• Auto captions are typically about 90–95% accurate
• Captions must be reviewed and edited for accuracy, including names, terminology and punctuation
• Content should not be considered accessible until captions are reviewed

Yes. All university email communications should be accessible, especially mass emails. This includes the email message itself as well as any attachments or linked documents.

If you receive an email or attachment that is not accessible and plan to forward or reuse it, you are responsible for ensuring the content is accessible before sharing it with others.

For guidance on creating accessible emails, visit the Email and SMS information within the Digital Accessibility website.

If you use a third-party platform to send emails or communications, review the accessibility features available within that system and use them to improve accessibility.

Not always. Accessibility features in Word or Excel do not always carry over when converting to PDF.

To help preserve accessibility:

• Use “Export to PDF” rather than “Save As” when possible
• Review the final PDF using an accessibility checker and manual review

Whenever possible, use webpages (HTML) or native document formats instead of PDFs for public-facing content, as these are typically more accessible and easier to maintain.

If a PDF is necessary, it should be created as an accessible document from the start and maintained over time.

No. Labeling a document as “archived” is not sufficient if it is still being used or accessed by the public.

• Archived materials should be clearly labeled as archived
• They should include a statement and a contact method to request an accessible version
• Only mark content as archived if it is no longer actively used

High-use or frequently accessed materials should be remediated or converted to accessible formats, rather than archived.

Generally, yes. Any content that SVSU links to or shares should be accessible whenever possible.

If accessibility cannot be ensured:

• Provide an accessible alternative when available
• Include a contact method for users to request access

The ADA Title II digital accessibility rule primarily applies to digital content such as websites, applications and electronic documents.

However, under ADA Title II and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, SVSU must still provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

If an individual needs a printed document in an accessible digital format, the university must provide it in a timely and effective manner.

Yes. Social media content shared on official SVSU channels should be accessible. This includes posts, images, videos and linked content.

For guidance, refer to the Social Media section of the Digital Accessibility website.

Not usually. Personal accounts are not typically required to meet university accessibility standards.

However, if a personal account is used for university business, it may be considered an official channel. This is more likely if you:

• Regularly share official SVSU information
• Direct students or the public to your account for updates
• Present yourself in an official university role
• Use the account to provide services or respond to the public

Example:
If a faculty or staff member uses a personal account to post announcements, share deadlines or answer questions about SVSU, the account may be considered part of a university program and should follow accessibility guidelines.

RSO-managed social media accounts are not governed in the same way as official university channels.

However, when RSO content is shared on official SVSU platforms, it becomes university content and should meet accessibility standards.