It’s relevant and understandable to be thinking about your commitment to accessibility right now.
With executive orders targeting DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) in both the federal government and private sector, institutions of higher education are figuring out how to stay true to their values and keep their funding. Recent cuts to at least eleven ADA guidelines for U.S. companies along with various court cases have led to uncertainty about lawful equity programs, accessible building design in various sectors, customer service practices, and digital accessibility mandates, and we are left wondering how this slide already has – or will eventually affect – higher education.
Keep in mind that…
The majority of ADA laws remain intact. Federal and state civil rights laws require us to provide educational opportunities on an equal basis, and it’s still the law to comply. Read more from the ACLU about how no court has yet declared DEIA efforts to promote equity and remedy systemic discrimination as illegal.
In our digital age of globalization, it makes sense to strive for accessibility no matter your location. European digital accessibility standards are only getting stricter, as are laws in Canada and Australia. As a best practice, continue to follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
Withdrawal of these regulations and others isn’t necessarily permanent. Accessibility laws are turned back or can progress forward quickly. Administrations have term limits, judges use the court systems to overturn legislation or challenge orders, and constituents voice their support or disdain at the ballots. It’s best to hold steady at the highest standards we’ve seen, rather than fluctuate.
There’s a lot of money at stake. 27% of U.S. adults have disabilities, and discretionary income for working-age people with disabilities is about $21 billion, which is greater than other significant market segments combined. For the sake of profitability, it is important to maintain accessibility even when guidance changes.
Taking input and employing feedback loops are important practices to improve your business, whether it’s required or not. Expanding businesses may no longer have to gather input from customers with disabilities, but they should. Both digitally and physically, things are constantly updated, standards change, new vendors, courses and products are added, and actual users are the ones engaging on an ongoing basis. Taking input proactively and building in a feedback loop will save you time and money later on, because you’ll have fewer changes to make retrospectively. Read more about why and how to employ feedback loops in a previous ERI Insight here.
Your staff members who work on accessibility and outreach are important. “Maria Town, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, said that revoking the guidance does not mean that requirements under the ADA have changed, but it could make it harder for people to know what the rules are and how they apply.” In order to continue to provide services and support programs that foster a climate where all students can access opportunities and thrive, we need our accessibility experts; they are often the sole means to achieve that goal. Policies and programs that disproportionately impact disabled people are on the chopping block, so find ways to show extra appreciation to staff, faculty, and administrators that continue to commit their time and efforts to accessibility.
Addressing barriers is the right thing to do. Lastly and ultimately, we encourage you to hold onto that sentiment.
