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ADA Title II and IMT-1300 Policy Digital Accessibility Compliance Program



UC Merced is committed to ensuring that all digital content, technology, and services are accessible to people with disabilities. This commitment is grounded in federal civil rights law, UC systemwide policy, and our institutional values of equity and inclusion.

Compliance Deadline: April 24, 2026

Why This Matters

Legal Requirement

On April 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice published a final rule under ADA Title II requiring all public universities to make their web content and mobile applications accessible. UC Merced must comply by April 24, 2026.

UC Policy Mandate

UC Policy IMT-1300 (Electronic Accessibility) requires all UC locations to implement accessibility requirements for all electronic and information technology—websites, software, documents, videos, and more.

Civil Rights Obligation

Digital accessibility is not optional. It is a civil rights requirement that ensures people with disabilities have equal access to UC Merced's programs, services, and information.

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Content Creator (web, documents, presentations) Creating Content Checklists
Software Requestor (purchasing technology) Procurement and Software
Faculty Member (teaching courses) Instructional Accessibility
Department Head (managing a unit) Frequently Asked Questions
Someone experiencing a barrier Report a Barrier

Compliance Framework

Creating Accessible Content

UC Merced provides comprehensive guidance for creating accessible digital content:

Content Checklists

Tools and Resources

  • SensusAccess — Convert documents to accessible formats
  • YuJa Panorama — LMS accessibility scanning and remediation (integrated with Canvas)
  • Siteimprove — Web accessibility monitoring (contact Digital Accessibility Coordinator)

Instructional Accessibility

For Faculty and Instructors

Faculty are responsible for the accessibility of course materials in Canvas and other learning platforms.

Key Resources:

  • Accessibility for Teaching (Teaching Commons)
  • YuJa Panorama Accessibility Scores — View your course accessibility status directly in Canvas
  • Panorama Inline Remediation — Fix document accessibility issues without leaving the LMS
  • SensusAccess — Student and faculty document conversion service

Training:

  • Contact the Ed-Tech team for YuJa Panorama training
  • Schedule a consultation with the Digital Accessibility Coordinator

Student Alternative Formats

Students can access course materials in alternative formats through YuJa Panorama:

  • MP3 (audio)
  • ePub (e-reader)
  • Electronic Braille
  • OCRed PDF (searchable)

Procurement and Software

Before You Purchase

Every software purchase must be evaluated for accessibility.

Key Steps:

  1. Request VPAT/ACR documentation from the vendor
  2. Submit for accessibility review via ServiceNow
  3. Complete EEAAP if software is not fully conformant

Get Help:

Additional Resources:

Reporting and Support

Report an Accessibility Barrier

If you encounter digital content that is not accessible, report it:

Resources

UC Merced Digital Accessibility Resources

UC Systemwide Resources

External Resources

UC Merced Office of Information Technology - Digital Accessibility Program

Last Updated: January 2026