Mandatory Digital Accessibility and Training Requirements

The most important principle to understand is that digital accessibility is a shared institutional responsibility. Our goal is to ensure that all digital content created, posted, or sent by WOU is accessible to everyone, aligning with the WCAG 2.1 AA standard.

To support this goal, WOU is providing both training opportunities and online resources to help employees develop the necessary skills and conceptual understanding.

• Attendance at all trainings is NOT mandatory. Creating and identifying accessible digital content IS mandatory.
• Individuals with WordPress access are required to attend ONE Website Accessibility training. This training will be offered multiple times from January – April 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to attend all the scheduled trainings?

No, attending the specific training sessions is not mandatory. However, you are required to develop a plan to acquire the necessary skills and ensure that all digital content created as part of your role at WOU is compliant with the WCAG 2.1 AA standard. Individuals with WordPress access are required to attend a Website Accessibility training.

Can we utilize a “train the trainer” approach?

Yes. You have the flexibility to determine the most effective way for your office, department, or division to achieve compliance. You may choose to send one representative to the training who will then share that knowledge with the rest of your team. The primary mandate remains the accessibility of your final digital content.

I do not believe I create digital content. Do I still need to be trained?

If your role genuinely does not involve creating, updating, or disseminating any digital content, then direct training may not be necessary.

However, please ensure you fully understand the scope of digital content, which is broader than just website updates. Digital content includes:

• Web and Application Content: Websites, web pages, web applications (e.g., patient portals, online forms), mobile applications, and all user interface components.
• Documents and Files: Electronic Documents (PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, XLSX), and all digital text (headings, body copy, labels).
• Multimedia Content: Video (requires captions/audio descriptions), Audio (requires transcripts), and Live Broadcasts/Webinars (requires real-time captioning).
• Images and Non-Text Elements: Photos, charts, graphs, and icons that convey information (requires accurate Alternative Text).
• Social Media and Communications: Content posted on all social media platforms and official email communications.