The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is required by federal law to ensure that all programs, services, and activities are accessible to individuals with disabilities. As of April 24, 2026, the Department of Justice requires all public universities to meet the WCAG 2.1 Level AA technical standard.
These are not design recommendations; they are mandatory institutional requirements. Failure to adhere to these standards places the university at significant legal risk, including federal investigations and civil litigation. To protect the university, any materials intended for an audience—whether they are printed on paper, posted online, or shown on a screen—must meet these mandatory standards. Any item that does not comply will be rejected during the review process and will not be authorized for use.
Accessibility for Apparel and Uniforms
Under federal ADA Title II mandates, the university is required to ensure that all forms of communication are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Because apparel and uniforms—including sports uniforms, marching band and spirit team gear, facilities uniforms, and student organization clothing—function as a primary communication medium for the university, they are institutionally classified as "printed collateral."
Consequently, these items are subject to the same institutional legibility standards as traditional paper materials. While technical specifications for athletic gear and professional uniforms may vary, all designs must prioritize the high-contrast color pairings and typography floors to ensure character recognition is not hindered.
To ensure full compliance and avoid production delays or costly redesigns, all apparel and uniform designs must be submitted to merchandise@utrgv.edu for technical verification and approval before being authorized for production.