Higher Education and Academic Research Community

Hello colleagues,

With the U.S. Department of Justice's final rule under Title II of the ADA now in effect, public colleges and universities must ensure full digital accessibility compliance-including websites, mobile apps, and digital content-by April 2026.  See New Federal Digital Accessibility Requirements: What Higher Ed Needs to Know and Do Now - Online Learning Consortium

As change management educators in the public realm, how are you approaching this mandate in your online, in-person, and/or blended change management courses?

I'd love to hear how you're integrating accessibility into change management curriculum.   Any lessons learned, use cases, or resources you recommend for teaching accessibility?

My institution has embarked on converting and modifying courses, which requires sunsetting some learning techniques, modifying others, and developing new learning activities.

As with most change, this feels like a pivotal moment to elevate in ensuring accessibility as both a compliance issue and a learning opportunity.

Let's share what's working-and what still needs attention.

------------------------------
Michael Sullivan
michael.sullivan.phd@gmail.com
Organizational Change Management Manager
------------------------------

This is a fantastic and timely discussion, Michael. As an consultant and educator, I've started approaching the ADA compliance mandate as a critical component of proactive change management, not just reactive compliance. Specifically, I'm integrating modules on universal design for learning (UDL) into our introductory change curriculum, framing it as a best practice for reaching the widest possible audience. We are now using an accessibility checklist as a gate for all new digital content development, which has shifted the mindset toward "designing in" accessibility from the start. A key lesson learned is that focusing on the value of inclusivity-and not just the rule-increases buy-in from faculty resistant to modifying their existing course materials. I'm currently seeking more robust resources for teaching accessibility tools within project management software, which is our next big push.

------------------------------
Tanya D. Cane
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 2025-10-25 07:16
From: Michael Sullivan
Subject: Navigating the New Federal Accessibility Mandate-How Is Your Institution Preparing for April 2026?

Hello colleagues,

With the U.S. Department of Justice's final rule under Title II of the ADA now in effect, public colleges and universities must ensure full digital accessibility compliance-including websites, mobile apps, and digital content-by April 2026.  See New Federal Digital Accessibility Requirements: What Higher Ed Needs to Know and Do Now - Online Learning Consortium

As change management educators in the public realm, how are you approaching this mandate in your online, in-person, and/or blended change management courses?

I'd love to hear how you're integrating accessibility into change management curriculum.   Any lessons learned, use cases, or resources you recommend for teaching accessibility?

My institution has embarked on converting and modifying courses, which requires sunsetting some learning techniques, modifying others, and developing new learning activities.

As with most change, this feels like a pivotal moment to elevate in ensuring accessibility as both a compliance issue and a learning opportunity.

Let's share what's working-and what still needs attention.

------------------------------
Michael Sullivan
michael.sullivan.phd@gmail.com
Organizational Change Management Manager
------------------------------