Web Accessibility Resources

Every document and webpage we create represents the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion. The U.S. Department of Justice now requires all public institutions to ensure digital content—including PDFs, webpages, and other online materials—meets accessibility standards by April 24, 2026. This mandate applies to all public digital assets the university owns, no matter the platform or system used to create them. Meeting this deadline is not only a legal requirement—it is an expression of our values. By ensuring that everyone, including people with disabilities, can access and use our digital materials, we affirm UTC’s dedication to equity, respect, and opportunity for all members of our community. Every employee who creates or edits digital content plays an essential role in achieving this goal.

Official References:

• U.S. Dept. of Justice ADA Rule on Web Accessibility (2024)
• WCAG 2.1 AA Standards Overview

Training Resources:

• New Federal Accessibility Rule: What It Means for Content Editors
• Accessibility Video Resources for PDFs, Word Documents, and InDesign
• Other Accessibility Articles

Additionally, this fall, we are partnering with the Walker Center for Teaching and Learning to provide live PDF accessibility training, offered in addition to the Silktide training webinars. The sessions will be presented online through Zoom, with three different dates and times available for your convenience. You only need to attend one session, and each will include time for Q&A. Training options available are as follows (choose one that you are interested in):

• Tuesday, October 7, 2–3 PM.
• Friday, October 10, 11 AM–12 PM.
• Wednesday, October 15, 10–11 AM. 

Recordings of these webinars TBA.