What is Title II?

Beginning April 24, 2026, a public entity, other than a special district government, with a total population of 50,000 or more shall ensure that the web content and mobile apps that the public entity provides or makes available, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, comply with Level A and Level AA success criteria and conformance requirements specified in WCAG 2.1, unless the public entity can demonstrate that compliance with this section would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program, or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. (Americans with Disability Act, Title II Regulations)

Title II is not a new requirement. It has been around for years, but hasn't been enforced.  Last year, the federal government established a timeline for satisfying the requirement. The good news for us is that Title II improves user experience for all of us, regardless of need, and it supports Cortland's goals for equity, inclusion, and well-being.  The changes required by Title II will enhance our students' learning experience and provide everyone in our community with a more equitable digital experience. The (slight) downside is that many of us began designing our digital materials without considering accessibility, and some of us are stuck in our ways. Revising our old materials to fit Title II requirements can feel overwhelming for those of us who have years of material, and it can feel a bit limiting for those of us who enjoy design.  We will have to make a few design sacrifices and learn some new tricks to ensure our digital materials are accessible. Still, the benefits of accessible content for our students and colleagues outweigh a bit of extra work over the next year.  The learning we do now will pay dividends for years to come and help us demonstrate that Cortland CARES.