Charge

The University of Iowa has a long history of making its digital systems and content accessible. However, our strategy will need to adapt to recent changes in the external environment. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a new rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding the accessibility of web content and mobile applications for state and local governments. We are required to comply with this ruling by April 2026. This task force is charged with developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to ensure our institution's digital content meets the required accessibility standards.

Guiding Principles

As the Task Force develops solutions and addresses the challenges of this ruling, the following guiding principles provide high level direction

  1. Efforts should be focused on the work that has the greatest impact with the resources available.
  2. Higher impact solutions should be implemented first wherever possible.
  3. Employ a user centered approach.
  4. Work towards creating sustainable solutions through education, support, and the technology and content acquisition process.

Task Force Progress

December 2024

January 2025
  • Subcommittees finalized and announced in Iowa Now
  • accessibility.uiowa.edu website launched to serve as as a central hub for accessibility,  educate and an create an ongoing conversation to build campus wide understanding and adoption.

Subcommittees

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Teaching
Maggie Jesse/TM Weissenberger		Communications
Charlie Taylor		Health Care
Karmen Dillon		Contracts
Erin Feltes		Web
Michael O'Neal		Athletics
Eddi Etsey		Administrative
Rakesh Rao		Research
Mike Weaver		Student Life
Brandon Mills
•Identify high-priority academic content that needs to be brought into compliance.​
 
•Develop remediation plans for digital course materials.​
•Executed a comprehensive communications plan​
 
•Educate campus on DOJ rule and its implications.​
 
•Develop an organizational change management plan​
 
•Promote awareness and understanding of accessibility initiatives.​
•Identify and prioritize digital systems and content used in healthcare settings.​
 
•Develop plans to bring these systems into compliance with accessibility standards.​
•Review and update Procurement Policies​
 
•Engage with Vendors​
•Conduct a comprehensive audit of the university's web content.​
 
•Identify and prioritize high-traffic and high-impact web pages for remediation​
•Identify digital systems and content related to athletics that require accessibility improvements.​
 
•Prioritize based on usage and impact on the athletics community.​
•Identify key administrative systems and digital content that require accessibility improvements.​
 
•Prioritize systems based on usage and importance.​
•Identify digital platforms and content used for research that need accessibility improvements.​
 
•Prioritize based on usage and impact on the research community.​
•Identify digital systems and content related to Student Life that require accessibility improvements.​
 
•Prioritize based on usage and impact on the student community​

Members

Sponsors

Sponsors

  • Liz Tovar, executive officer and associate vice president of the Division of Access, Opportunity, and Diversity
  • Steve Fleagle, associate vice president and chief information officer, Information Technology Services

Members

Membership

  • Maggie Jesse (co-chair), executive director, Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology
  • Tiffini Stevenson Earl (co-chair), senior director and ADA coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance
  • Mirra Anson, director, student academic success and strategic initiatives, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
  • Kirk Corey, director of policy and user services, Information Security and Policy Office, ITS
  • Karmen Dillon, executive IT director, Application Services, UI Health Care
  • Eddie Etsey, associate athletics director, Technology and Data Analytics, Department of Athletics
  • Erin Feltes, deputy counsel, Office of General Counsel
  • Ethan Fry, senior application developer, UI Health Care
  • Brandon Mills, senior IT director, Division of Student Life
  • Michael O’Neill, director of web strategy, Office of Strategic Communication
  • Rakesh Rao, associate director, Facilities and Management Technology and Data
  • Maureen Schafer, assistant provost and director, Academic Advising Center
  • Charlie Taylor, chief of staff and communications, DAOD
  • Mike Venzon, director, Student Disability Services, Division of Student Life
  • Mike Weaver, associate director of operations, Office of the Vice President for Research
  • T.M. Weissenberger, digital accessibility coordinator, Security Office, ITS
  • Mike Frangi, director, Project Management, ITS