Need help?
For questions, assistance, or to report an issue, please contact the COLTT Help Desk at 956-665-5327 or 956-882-6792.
Browse Help Articles Submit a TicketAccessibility in Online Courses
Welcome to the Online Accessibility section of our website! This page serves as the entry point to guidance, tools, and resources designed to help you create usable, accessible, and legally compliant online learning experiences.
Accessibility applies to all digital content—courses, documents, videos, Webpages, and third-party tools—and ensures that individuals with disabilities can fully access and participate in learning environments.
What is Online Accessibility?
Web Accessibility, according to the World Wide Consortium (W3C),means that people with disabilities can use the web. More specifically, accessible content allows users to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with digital content, including online, hybrid and web augmented courses and instructional materials.
Regardless of what modality you teach, if you use a learning management system, accessibility supports students who use assistive technologies such as screen readers, captions, keyboard navigation, and alternative input devices.
Why Online Accessibility?
Creating an accessible eLearning environment provides students with equal opportunities to learn. Without accessible content, some students will not be able to understand what is being taught. Not only is accessibility the right thing to do, but it is the law.
Why Online Accessibility Matters
Accessibility is a legal requirement for public institutions and benefits all users.
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice issued updated regulations under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that clarify digital accessibility obligations for public institutions, including colleges and universities. These regulations require that web content and mobile applications be accessible and aligned with recognized technical standards.
As a federally funded public institution, we are required to ensure our digital content complies with:
- ADA Title II (28 CFR Part 35)
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA
- Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 213
These standards are built around four core principles—content must be Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR).
Official Deadline to Comply with ruling: April 24, 2026.
Meeting these requirements helps ensure students can access course materials and reduces the need for retroactive accommodations.
