Memorandum

In August, a campus accessibility committee was formed in response to a Department of Justice (DOJ) ruling, set to take effect in late April 2026, that mandates new compliance requirements for digital content, to include web sites, mobile apps, courses and third-party software.

Throughout much of the Fall semester the committee has worked to identify key areas of remediation, and during this process has recommended new policies, many already implemented, to ensure as an institution we are compliant with the new DOJ accessibility guidelines.

Third-Party Software Compliance

For example, all existing third-party software in use at Texas Tech now must provide a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) no later than the April deadline to remain in use, and any new software from outside vendors must provide this same VPAT before it can be procured and used. All VPATs are evaluated by a subcommittee using an established rubric in use by multiple universities.

Upcoming Web and Course Content Accessibility Training

As work continues to identify and remediate non-compliant third-party software, the committee is also expanding efforts to provide the training and tools necessary to ensure our websites and course content are accessible.

The next two beginner level Silktide (accessibility and compliance software) training courses are scheduled for 11 a.m., Dec. 8 and 9 a.m., Dec. 15. In January, we will begin offering advanced Silktide training and will also start broad outreach to the rest of campus with additional content-focused training on accessible presentations, social media, PDFs and videos.

These trainings will cover the new DOJ rules and provide practical resources for evaluating and remediating existing materials or creating new, compliant content. Sessions will be available both in person and online. Departments interested in scheduling dedicated training sessions for their teams may contact digitalaccessibility@ttu.edu.

New Digital Accessibility Web Site

The committee has established a website for all things related to digital accessibility compliance. In addition to an overview of the new DOJ rules and the best practices required to be compliant with them, you will also see a schedule of upcoming trainings. As available tools for digital accessibility are acquired, they will be added to the site, along with a list of all third-party software that has demonstrated compliance with new accessibility requirements.

January 23 Information Session

The new website has a useful list of FAQs. But we want to make sure you have as much information as possible regarding our digital compliance efforts. On Jan. 23, 2026, from 9 – 10:30 a.m., we will host a Digital Compliance Information Virtual Information Session. Sign up now to attend. We will answer your questions, provide updates on compliance efforts, and introduce tools that can be used to remediate inaccessible digital content.

Finally, if you have the time and/or expertise to participate in helping us move our web sites and faculty course content toward compliance by the April 2026 deadline, please let me know.

We are working on ways to incentivize departments to move quickly toward compliance as well as providing financial support to those with the bandwidth and capability to offer their time to what is a campus compliance effort.

CC: Lawrence Schovanec, President