ADA Title II and You, February 2026

Published February 17, 2026

Understanding the Exceptions to ADA Title II

Beginning April 24, 2026, public universities must ensure that websites, mobile apps, and digital content meet ADA Title II accessibility requirements. Limited exceptions may apply under specific conditions, as outlined below.

Archived Content

Content may qualify for archival exception if it is inactive and retained solely for reference, research, or record-keeping. The content must be clearly identified as archival and may not be modified after archiving. Examples where CSULB might use this include: 

  • Digitization of historical documents such as documents from the Library Special Collections
  • Collections of archival publications (yearbooks, magazines, journals) 
  • Inactive project or grant websites where the project or grant requires hosting for some time afterwards

Note that single files generally fall under the conventional electronic document exception. 

Preexisting Conventional Electronic Documents

Certain document types (e.g. PDFs, Word files, PowerPoint presentations, and spreadsheets) created before April 2026 may qualify for an exception if they are no longer needed for current programs, services, courses, or activities. Some examples include:

  • Legacy reports or newsletters kept for historical reference
  • Obsolete internal documents replaced by newer materials

Third-Party Content

Universities are generally not responsible for content posted by members of the public, provided the institution does not solicit, contract for, or control that content. Some examples include:

  • Public comments on message boards or forums
  • User-generated posts not required or curated by the institution

However, the University is responsible for ensuring the accessibility of tools or content it acquires, uses, or controls, including vendor platforms, embedded services for instruction or operations, and content created under institutional agreements.

For questions about the accessibility of new purchases, contact Procurement Services.

Individualized, Password-Protected Documents

Personalized documents within secure, password-protected accounts may qualify for an exception when they are intended only for a specific individual. Some examples include:

  • Student transcripts in secure portals
  • Individual financial account statements
  • Employee HR records

This exception does not apply to course content, broadly shared forms, policies, or other materials used for programs or services.

Social Media Posts

Posts created before April 24, 2026, do not need to be retroactively updated for accessibility. All posts created on or after that must include alt-text, video captions, and captions that spell out any text on images.

In Conclusion

If digital materials are used for current programs, courses, or services, they must be accessible, regardless of their original dates of publication.

While limited exceptions exist, the University must still provide accessible versions of materials when requested. The most effective strategy is to design accessible content from the start and build it into your regular workflow.

For more accessibility best practices, visit:

Check Your Digital Content "VITALS" Signs

Let the VITALS acronym guide you in creating accessible digital content. By addressing these key elements in your courses, websites, or media, you'll build good habits for meeting the basic requirements under ADA Title II:

  • Videos must have accurate captions. If auto-captioning is used, review and edit any errors.
  • Images need descriptive alternative text (alt-text). Provide accompanying descriptions on the page for complex visuals.
  • Text must meet color-contrast standards. Use an online color contrast checker to verify.
  • Audio files must have accompanying written transcripts.
  • Links must be embedded in descriptive text and be integrated naturally within sentences (avoid “click here”).
  • Structure your documents logically by using "styles" to define content hierarchy (headings, paragraphs, lists, etc.).

Find additional resources for addressing these requirements, visit Accessible Course Design.

Document, Audio, or Video Remediation Support

hands on laptop with icons across the screen

Submit a ticket for accessibility assistance with your active documents, audio, or video remediation.

CSULB Accessibility Workshops

Save the Dates! The Accessibility Guy Comes to Campus

On March 23 and March 25, accessibility expert Shawn Jordison, “The Accessibility Guy," will lead two 90-minute trainings on creating accessible Word and PDFs documents. More details coming soon!

Contact Us