Digital Accessibility at the University System of Maryland

Digital Accessibility at USM


Purpose of the Hub

At the University System of Maryland, we believe that education should be accessible to everyone. The Digital Accessibility Hub serves as your central resource for creating inclusive digital environments where all students, faculty, and staff can thrive regardless of ability.

Our digital world opens incredible opportunities for teaching, learning, and collaboration—but only when everyone can fully participate. This hub exists to empower you with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to ensure that the digital content you create and share is accessible to all members of our diverse community.

Whether you're designing a course, creating documents, planning events, or developing web content, the resources here will guide you through making accessibility an integral part of your work rather than an afterthought. We're committed to making digital accessibility straightforward, manageable, and embedded in our everyday practices.

By prioritizing accessibility, we're not just meeting requirements—we're enriching the educational experience for everyone. Students with disabilities have repeatedly shared that accessible materials benefit their learning, reduce stress, and allow them to focus on content rather than barriers. When we design with accessibility in mind, we create better experiences for all.

Join us in building a more inclusive USM where everyone has equal access to educational opportunities. The journey toward full digital accessibility is ongoing, and every step you take makes a meaningful difference in our students' lives.


Legal Requirements & Institutional Obligations

The University System of Maryland is legally required to ensure digital accessibility under several key regulations:

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Requires that we provide equal access to our programs, services, and activities, including those delivered digitally.
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act: Prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs receiving federal financial assistance.
  • Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: Requires federal agencies and organizations receiving federal funding to make their electronic and information technology accessible.
  • State of Maryland IT Accessibility Law: Requires state agencies, including public universities, to follow accessibility standards for information technology.


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Title II ADA Compliance: April 24, 2026, Deadline


The Department of Justice has established April 24, 2026, as the compliance deadline for the updated Title II regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. These regulations explicitly require that all digital content—including materials within learning management systems and behind password-protected areas—must meet accessibility standards. This federal mandate ensures that:

  • All course materials in Canvas, Blackboard, and other LMS platforms are accessible to students with disabilities
  • Internal resources for faculty and staff meet the same high standards as public-facing content
  • Historical content is remediated or provided with accessible alternatives
  • New content is created with accessibility built in from the start

This federally mandated deadline represents a significant legal obligation for all public institutions, including the entire University System of Maryland. While the timeline is ambitious, it reflects the Department of Justice's commitment to ensuring equal access to education for all Americans.


Our Shared Commitment

Meeting the Title II April 2026 deadline is both a legal requirement and an opportunity to create an educational environment where all students have equal opportunities to learn and succeed. The USM views this compliance initiative as a collaborative effort where we succeed together.

Every step toward accessibility—whether it's adding alt text to an image, captioning a video, or redesigning a complex form—brings us closer to meeting our legal obligations while fulfilling our mission of inclusive education. We're here to support you throughout this process, celebrating progress and working together to overcome challenges.

By approaching this work with creativity, collaboration, and commitment, we can transform our digital environments into spaces where all members of our community can fully participate and thrive, while ensuring our institutions meet federal accessibility requirements.


Accessibility News at USM

Apply for the faculty mini-grant program now!

Read our Accessibility in Action August Newsletter (link coming soon)


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