Western Michigan University is committed to providing equal access for all students, employees, visitors and participants in our programs, services and activities.
Here you can find our nondiscrimination commitment, how to request disability-related accommodations or alternate formats, how to report digital accessibility barriers, guidance for creating accessible digital materials and information about accessible learning opportunities.
ADA 2026 digital regulations and compliance requirements
Western follows the technical standards required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), WCAG 2.1 Level AA, for web content and mobile applications.
Everyone who creates, selects or maintains digital content at the University is required to make our digital experiences accessible. This include:
- University websites, webpages and social channels
- Learning Management System and course materials
- Online forms and transactions
- PDFs and other electronic documents
- Audio, video and other media
- Mobile applications
- Third-party/vendor-hosted tools used to deliver WMU services
Limited exceptions:
- Archived content created before the compliance date and kept only for reference in a designated archive.
- Unaffiliated third-party posts not made on WMU’s behalf.
- Secure “conventional electronic documents” about a specific individual (e.g., their account/property) that are password-protected or in a secure system.
Full compliance with these accessibility standards is required by the Department of Justice beginning in April 2026. See the full requirements and responsibilities on the Policies and Legal Notices page.
Why accessibility matters
Accessibility is core to quality digital information and communication technologies. When we design with access in mind, we reduce barriers, support learner autonomy and improve clarity and usability for everyone.
Accessible design starts with awareness of how technology and personal circumstances shape the way learners experience digital content:
- Blindness or low vision: Screen readers convert on-screen text and structure into speech or braille; clear headings and alt text are essential.
- Deaf or hard of hearing: Captions and transcripts provide access to audio and video content.
- Limited mobility: Keyboard-only navigation, switch devices or voice control may replace precise mouse actions; audio playback can also help.
- Cognitive or learning differences: Clear headings, chunked content, plain language and predictable navigation support comprehension.
- Language and context: Multilingual learners and those in noisy or ultra-quiet environments benefit from captions, transcripts and flexible formats.
- Temporary or situational constraints: A broken arm, spotty Wi-Fi, glare or a loud workspace can make accessible alternatives indispensable.
Continuous improvement
We are expanding training, auditing high-traffic sites and prioritizing remediation that removes access barriers first. Last updated: December 16, 2025.