In April 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a rule requiring public entities to make their digital content accessible by April 24, 2026. This rule applies to all web and social media content, third party products, mobile apps, and course content. Please refer to the Office of the General Counsel’s legal alert on Web Accessibility for Public Entities for a full list of requirements and…, Completed Activities, The Digital Experience team has completed development of the following self-paced digital accessibility training courses: Develop Accessible Presentations, Write Accessible Emails, Create Accessible Social Media Posts, Create Accessible Excel Spreadsheets, Create Accessible Knowledge Articles, Create Accessible Slack Posts, Introduction to Video Accessibility, Create Accessible Web Content and…, In Progress Activities, Accessibility testing and vendor remediation efforts are in progress or scheduled for all high-impact third-party products, with the final critical product testing scheduled for October. Developed the Audio Description Guidelines and User Guide for any and all University-created or distributed video content to include audio descriptions when the visuals convey information not communicated through…, What to Expect Next, Accessibility testing will be scheduled for all medium-impact third-party products. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the project team: Rob Baker, Kristina England, Ron Agrella and Ana Ligia Rezende.
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September 2025 – University of Massachusetts President’s Office, Office of the General Counsel The University of Massachusetts, as a public institution and agency of the Commonwealth, is subject to both state and federal anti-discrimination laws. These laws govern not only employment but also all university programs and activities, ensuring equal treatment regardless of protected class, such as…, Recent Developments: , Executive Orders:, Several executive orders issued in 2025 have affected diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programs and policies. While these orders do not directly change existing law, they impact federal agency operations, which in turn affect universities. Many of these orders are being challenged in court., State and Federal Guidance:, The Massachusetts Attorney General and other state agencies have clarified that lawful DEIA practices remain so. Quotas or preferences in hiring continue to be illegal and remain prohibited. If you have any questions about specific programs or activities, please consult with the Office of General Counsel for assistance., Litigation Landscape:, Numerous lawsuits have been filed challenging federal policies related to DEIA, grant and research funding, and immigration. The University has provided evidentiary support for many of the lawsuits and amicus briefs filed by the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General., Supreme Court Actions:, The Supreme Court’s emergency docket has led to rapid decisions affecting a number of areas in higher education, including the cancellation or freezing of federal research and grant funds and immigration. , Affirmative Action: , Affirmative action, which promotes diversity without favoring any protected category, has been curtailed at the federal level. However, Massachusetts continues to promote affirmative action in employment through state law and executive orders. , Best Practices for the University: , The University’s mission remains focused on providing accessible, high-quality education and advancing knowledge for all. Programs and activities should be inclusively designed so that opportunities are available to all students, not reserved based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics. For more information, visit the Office of General Counsel’s website .
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