Project Details

Project Name: ​​​​​Accessibility Task Force​​​​​ 

Project Co-Leads: ​​​Maggie Jesse, Tiffini Stevenson Earl​​​ 

Project Manager: ​Mike Frangi​ 

Projected Project Timeline: ​December 2024 – April 2026​ 

Reporting Period: ​January – March 2025​ 

Overall Status: ​On Track​ 

Project and Timeline Phase

We are currently in Phase 2: Implementation, which spans from February 2025 through April 2026. This phase focuses on collecting and prioritizing digital assets, launching accessibility training, refining procurement policies, and beginning remediation planning. 

 

Phase 

Timeline 

Status 

Phase 1 – Planning & Preparation 

Dec 2024 – Jan 2025 

 Completed 

Phase 2 – Implementation 

Feb 2025 – Apr 2026 

 In Progress 

Phase 3 – Monitoring & Reporting 

May 2025 – Dec 2025 

 Not Started 

Phase 4 – Final Compliance Checks 

Jan 2026 – Apr 2026 

 Not Started 

Summary of Status

The Accessibility Task Force has made strong progress, successfully transitioning from the planning phase into full implementation. This phase focuses on identifying and prioritizing digital assets—including websites, software, applications, and documents—to ensure alignment with accessibility standards. 

Key accomplishments to date include: 

  • Formation of 10 operational subcommittees addressing focus areas such as procurement, training, healthcare, and athletics. 

  • Launch of a centralized accessibility website, offering resources and updates to stakeholders. 

  • Deployment of a custom-built inventory system (March 3, 2025) to track digital content, applications, and IT systems across campus units. 

  • Contracts subcommittee developed standardized accessibility contract language and escalation process; contract ownership mapped across departments. 

  • Training subcommittee developed a draft Universal Competency in Digital Accessibility training module. This draft document is now under review by the   and awaiting sponsor approval.  

Work is also underway to finalize a comprehensive training plan, designed to provide both synchronous and asynchronous education on accessibility best practices. 

Looking ahead, subcommittees are compiling digital asset inventories, with initial data due by April 28, 2025. The team will then prioritize remediation efforts, finalize training rollout, and complete development of a vendor exception process. 

While the project remains on track, key risks such as competing priorities, adoption challenges, and limited resources are being actively monitored, with escalation to executive sponsors as needed. 

Status per Quarter

Quarter 1, 2025: January – March 2025 

Status: On Track 

This quarter marked the start of Phase 2 (Implementation) and saw early wins in system launches, subcommittee activation, and campus engagement. The work of gathering digital assets and planning for remediation is well underway. 

Key Accomplishments: 

  • Subcommittees fully launched with defined charges and regular meeting cadences. 

  • Accessibility inventory system launched and distributed to subcommittees for data entry and prioritization. 

  • Training subcommittee drafted a training strategy document indicates that training plan will include short-format videos, live sessions, and potentially compliance tracking.  

  • Training subcommittee developed a draft Universal Competency in Digital Accessibility training module, providing foundational knowledge on digital accessibility and its importance for usability by all individuals, including those with disabilities. Participants would learn about legal obligations, accessibility principles, and practical strategies to enhance digital content accessibility. 

  • Communication subcommittee launched Accessibility website to serve as a centralized resource for the initiative. 

  • Co-Chairs delivered presentations to campus leaders (e.g., CIO Listening Post, Student Success Team). 

  • Contracts subcommittee developed standardized accessibility language and an escalation process for technology procurements; mapped contract ownership across departments to improve compliance alignment. Flagged textbook-bundled software as a complex issue requiring broader task force discussion. 

  • Developing a vendor exception process initiated by the Contracts subcommittee. 

 

Quarter 4, 2024: October – December 2024 

Status: Foundation Established 

This quarter focused on laying the strategic and operational groundwork for the Accessibility Task Force. Foundational planning and early coordination activities positioned the project for a January 2025 launch. 

Key Activities: 

  • Project kickoff and chartering, with definition of goals and timelines aligned to April 2026 compliance deadline. 

  • Appointment of co-leads and project manager; executive sponsorship confirmed. 

  • Identification of subcommittee areas and preliminary lead outreach. 

  • Initial communication planning, including website scoping and stakeholder messaging. 

  • Requirements scoping for the digital asset inventory system.

Items for Attention

This section outlines areas that warrant increased visibility, coordination, or action to maintain project momentum. These items are not currently at risk but may require executive support, interdepartmental alignment, or task force prioritization in the coming weeks. 

  • Finalizing and launching the accessibility training plan. 

  • Driving adoption and usage of the inventory system across all units. 

  • Clarifying and enforcing the vendor exception policy to balance compliance and operational continuity. 

  • Managing subcommittee workload given overlapping federal mandates. 

  • Developing strategies to prioritize and remediate large volumes of inaccessible content (e.g., PDFs, legacy systems). 

  • Addressing accessibility compliance for software bundled with textbook purchases, a complex issue that may require system-wide guidance and coordination. 

Risks and Mitigation Strategies

This section outlines known risks that may impact project success if not actively managed. For each risk, the task force has identified corresponding mitigation strategies to reduce likelihood, minimize impact, or escalate appropriately. Ongoing monitoring ensures these risks remain visible and actionable. 

  • Operational Bandwidth Constraints: Subcommittees face competing demands. Mitigation: Flexible pacing and executive-level support where needed. 

  • Inventory System Engagement: Incomplete or uneven participation could hinder tracking. Mitigation: Targeted communication, accountability, and technical support. 

  • Training Plan Finalization: Uncertainty around best delivery formats may delay rollout. Mitigation: Modular content, integration, and pilot testing. 

  • Content Volume and Resource Gaps: High volumes of inaccessible digital content require prioritization, automation tools, and trained personnel to manage effectively. 

  • Deadline Risk: Without steady progress, compliance by April 2026 could be jeopardized. Mitigation: Routine progress reviews, leadership engagement, and escalation when needed. 

Next Steps

Short-Term (April – May 2025) 

  • Continue rolling out the inventory system and onboarding users across subcommittees. 

  • Finalize and approve the accessibility training plan and begin implementation. 

  • Refine and communicate the vendor exception policy. 

  • Begin content remediation efforts, including automation and archiving of unnecessary content. 

  • Continue internal roadshows and leadership engagement to reinforce priorities. 

Medium-Term (June – December 2025) 

  • Establish compliance tracking dashboards and begin regular reporting. 

  • Expand training efforts based on feedback and campus needs. 

  • Support subcommittee progress through targeted communications and executive outreach.