What the New DOJ Rule Means for Online Teaching at SHSU

In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published a landmark update to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), establishing new legal standards for how public universities manage digital content. Beginning April 24, 2026, all digital services offered by public institutions, including Sam Houston State University, must comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. 

While accessibility has always been a best practice in online teaching, this rule transforms it into a federal requirement. It affects every digital element students encounter; course materials, instructional videos, documents, images, assessments, and third-party tools within our learning management system (LMS), Blackboard Ultra. 

For online instructors, this raises an important question: What needs to change? 

The good news is that WCAG 2.1 AA aligns with principles skilled instructors already value: clarity, structure, usability, and student-centered design. SHSU Online is committed to providing tools, guidance, and hands-on support to help you meet these expectations confidently. 

What the Rule Requires 

The core requirement is that digital content must be “readily accessible and usable” by individuals with disabilities. Within the LMS, this involves specific standards, such as: 

• Headings and structure: Documents and pages must use logical heading hierarchies so screen readers can navigate them efficiently. 
• Alt-text: Images conveying meaning (charts, diagrams, screenshots) must include descriptive text. 
• Color and contrast: Text must meet minimum contrast ratios, and color cannot be the only method used to convey information. 
• Accessible documents: PDFs, Word files, and slides must be formatted for compatibility with assistive technologies. 
• Captioning: Instructional videos must feature accurate captions that preserve meaning. 
• Keyboard navigation: Interactive content and assessments must be operable without a mouse. 
• Third-party content: External tools and publisher platforms must be accessible or offer acceptable alternatives. 

The DOJ does not dictate your teaching style or course aesthetics. However, it does require that students using assistive technology can access the same material as their peers. 

How This Impacts Your Courses 

For most instructors, this shift is less about learning new skills and more about adopting consistent habits. You will need to verify: 

• Are PDFs tagged and searchable? 
• Do module pages use true Headings rather than just bold text? 
• Do images include alt-text? 
• Are video captions reviewed for accuracy? 
• Are publisher tools accessible? 

These are structural improvements, not merely cosmetic ones. They reduce barriers and frustration for all learners. Instructors who adopt these practices often report spending less time troubleshooting technical issues later in the semester. 

How SHSU Online Will Support You 

Compliance is a university-wide effort, not a burden placed solely on faculty. SHSU Online is launching a multi-year initiative to align our LMS ecosystem with WCAG 2.1 AA. Here is what you can expect: 

• New Digital Accessibility Standards: We are finalizing clear, practical standards for Blackboard Ultra content to remove guesswork for instructors. 
• Step-by-Step Workflows: You will receive simple checklists, including an Iinstructional Design Accessibility Checklist, covering essentials like headings and contrast. 
• Automated Support tools:  
  • Ally: Automatically identifies accessibility issues and generates alternate formats (e.g., ePub, audio). 
  • Kaltura: Provides automated video captioning that you can review and edit directly in the platform. 
• Course Reviews: Instructional designers will integrate accessibility checks into all new course builds and consultations. 
• Targeted Training: We are developing workshops and “quick-guides” focused on high-impact, low-effort accessibility practices. 
• Vendor Oversight: All new third-party tools will undergo rigorous accessibility reviews prior to integration. 

What You Can Do Now 

To get a head start, focus on three high-impact areas: 

• Use headings consistently on all content pages. 
• Add alt-text to images. 
• Ensure videos have accurate captions. 

These three practices alone eliminate a sizable percentage of common accessibility barriers. 
 
The DOJ ruling is an opportunity to make our digital learning environments clearer and accessible for all Bearkats. If you have questions or need assistance assessing your course, please reach out. We are here to support you.