ACE and 12 other higher education associations submitted comments (334 KB PDF) last week in response to a Department of Justice (DOJ) request
for input on revising the regulations governing the accessibility of
state and local government websites—including those of public
universities—under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
DOJ is considering establishing specific technical requirements to
make the services, programs and activities offered by public entities
over the internet more accessible to people with disabilities.
The community letter expresses support for DOJ's efforts to define
public institutions' ADA digital obligations, but notes that the
proposed rule poses unique challenges for institutions of higher
education. Colleges and universities host and maintain public
information and services-oriented websites like those of state and local
agencies, but their online presence is more than transactional and
control is heavily decentralized. Institutions often lack direct control
over the vast amount of content residing on institution-supported
servers, such as material uploaded by faculty and students.
The letter offers several possible solutions that take into account the distinct nature of higher education institutions.
DOJ has indicated that the regulations it adopts for public entities
will heavily influence subsequent regulations for private colleges and
universities.