April 2026 Title II Update

Advancing Digital Accessibility at UM-Flint: Title II Update, Progress, & What’s Ahead

Sent April 20, 2026

Dear Campus Community,

Recent updates to federal Title II regulations on digital accessibility provide important context for our ongoing work. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has extended the compliance deadlines for web and mobile accessibility requirements under Title II, giving us one additional year to meet the updated standards. While this changes the deadline to April 26th, 2027, the expectations remain the same and we must continue working toward conformance with WCAG 2.1 AA to ensure accessible digital content and services.

The DOJ has also indicated that additional review and future updates may be forthcoming. We will continue to monitor federal guidance closely and share updates with campus as more information becomes available.

At UM-Flint, this extension gives us additional time to build on the strong progress already underway and continue strengthening accessible digital experiences across campus. Over the past year, faculty and staff have made meaningful strides in improving accessibility across websites, course materials, and internal systems. This work reflects a growing and sustained commitment to inclusion.

Key accomplishments over the past year include:

  • Over 30 one-on-one consultations with faculty and staff focused on accessible course content, documents, and digital tools
  • 60+ synchronous training and support sessions delivered across campus to build shared accessibility practices offered by ODE and ITS. 
  • Expansion of the UM-Flint digital accessibility website with improved tools and guidance
  • Created a Summer 2026 Digital Accessibility Stipend of $750 – $1500 for faculty to recognize and support the work and time required to remediate digital accessibility issues for digital course materials to be used in Summer 2026 or Fall 2026
  • Implementation of Siteimprove for automated website scanning, paired with manual and automated reviews of public websites and applications and remediation planning for identified barriers
    • More than doubling accessibility scores across major websites and applications, improving support for keyboard and screen reader users
    • 10% increase in course scores for accessibility from Winter 2025 to Winter 2026, reflecting ongoing faculty efforts to improve course accessibility. These figures are provided through Panorama as guidance metrics to support course improvement and are not an official federal compliance measure. 
  • Development of an AI-driven alternative text tools: WordPress plugin for communication specialists and Maizey Image Describer, a Canvas tool that identifies images missing alt text, generates suggested descriptions, and enables instructor review to support course accessibility for all learners.
  • Launched Rethinking PDFs: Building a Better Learning Environment, a new resource designed to help instructors move beyond PDFs and create more accessible, updatable, and inclusive course materials.

To support this continued progress, we have expanded resources available to campus, including:

  • Additional workshops and recorded trainings (more to come!) for common tools such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, PowerPoint, and Canvas
  • Continued ODE training and support for accessibility, including the Panorama Accessibility Platform, Universal Design for Learning in Canvas, and more. 
  • Ongoing guidance for using tools like Siteimprove and Panorama to identify and address accessibility issues
  • Opportunities to build skills through structured programs and campus initiatives, such as our Making Learning Accessible course in Canvas. 
  • Monthly “Accessibility in Focus” series of email campaigns for faculty and staff. 

Looking ahead, we are encouraged by the additional time provided through this extension. It allows us to continue improving processes, expanding training, and further innovating in how we design and deliver accessible digital experiences across UM-Flint.

We want to emphasize that this is a shared and supported effort. You are not expected to navigate these requirements alone as resources, consultation, and collaboration are available throughout the process.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a consultation or training, please reach out and schedule a meeting with Krystal Tosch, ITS Digital Accessibility Analyst.

Thank you for the time and effort you continue to invest in making accessibility a priority. These efforts ensure UM-Flint remains an inclusive environment for everyone who learns, works, and engages with our campus. We look forward to continuing this progress together.

With Gratitude,

Abby Parrill-Baker, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
University of Michigan-Flint

Scott Arnst
Chief Information Officer
University of Michigan-Flint