New federal digital accessibility regulations are set to take effect at the University of Kentucky and other public institutions on April 24, 2026, according to an email sent to UK faculty.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s updated rules will require large public institutions to meet new accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These included digital content, such as academic materials and course content.

The ADA is a federal civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination and ensures equal access to employment, goods and services and participation in state and local government programs, according to their website.   

According to the email sent on Oct. 17, UK faculty have been added to a Canvas course called “Updating Course Content for Accessibility,” guiding them on how to improve accessibility across platforms, including Canvas. 

The course was developed by the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching, and the email directed faculty to contact the center with any questions.

“Ensuring digital accessibility across the university is a shared responsibility,” Rebecca Thomas, associate provost for faculty advancement, wrote in the email. “To support your efforts in making course content accessible, you have been added to a Canvas course — named ‘Updating Course Content for Accessibility’ — containing resources to help faculty and staff update their academic course content and meet new requirements set forth in Title II of the ADA.”