The following letter was sent to the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) community on April 22 by UMB Title II Task Force Co-Chairs Emily Hurst, MSLS, Associate Vice Provost and Dean, Health Sciences and Human Services Library, and Christina Cestone, PhD, MA, Assistant Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs:
This week, the U.S. Department of Justice issued an interim rule announcing a one-year extension of the deadline for state and local governmental institutions to comply with the updated Title II digital accessibility regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Revised in 2024, the Title II regulations call on state and local governmental entities to further strengthen accessibility by ensuring that digital content is usable by all students and members of the public accessing our programs and services. The deadline on compliance for the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), and other institutions within the University System of Maryland, was extended to April 26, 2027.
In anticipation of the new rules, UMB has built a Digital Accessibility website that includes information, guidance, and resources related to the new Title II standards. Our schools and central administration departments/units have worked diligently toward meeting these compliance standards. Regardless of the federal postponement, UMB intends to build on our momentum and continue implementation in an expeditious way.
Faculty and staff are expected to use this extra time to learn how to create accessible materials and remediate items as necessary so the University will be fully compliant by the new deadline. The Center for Information Technology Services and Strategic Sourcing and Acquisition Services will continue to review all requests for educational and technology software vendors to ensure that they are compliant with the Title II regulations as well.
Digital accessibility is not only legally required, it also reflects UMB’s shared core values set of Equity and Justice, as well as our dedication to ensuring that every member of the University community can participate fully in academic and campus life.
UMB’s marketing campaign to support Title II compliance efforts will continue. Please keep an eye out on The Elm website and The Elm Weekly newsletter for additional guidance on topics related to digital accessibility. We also will update our Digital Accessibility website as needed moving forward.
Thank you for your commitment to access, inclusion, and opportunity as well as your partnership as we build a digital environment that serves all of UMB.