Awareness
The University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) has taken a proactive, multi-channel approach to foster awareness and compliance with digital accessibility standards by:
Create a Digital Accessibility Working Group
A cross-campus team was formed to coordinate strategy, prioritize initiatives, and guide policy development.
Send Email Communications
Regular campuswide email campaigns that share accessibility reminders, updates on policy expectations, and highlight best practices.
These serve as consistent touchpoints to keep the topic visible across departments.
Create Targeted Training Initiatives
Faculty and staff are offered tailored training sessions, workshops, and hands-on learning opportunities that address specific accessibility challenges in course design, digital content, and technology use.
Conduct Digital Website Audits
UNO conducts regular accessibility audits of its digital platforms and websites. These audits not only identify areas for improvement but also create learning opportunities by sharing results and recommended corrective actions with site owners.
Framework Development
UNO has established a structured planning framework to ensure long-term digital accessibility compliance. This includes:
Resource Website Development
A dedicated accessibility resource hub has been developed to centralize guidelines, tools, tutorials, and compliance checklists. This website acts as a go-to reference for anyone creating or managing digital content at UNO.
Policy Development
Drafting clear accessibility policies, particularly in Procurement, to ensure new technologies and services meet accessibility standards before adoption.
Remediation Planning
Identifying existing digital assets and systems in need of accessibility improvements and outlining steps for corrective action.
Targeted Communication & Resources
Designing communication strategies and resource supports to equip campus stakeholders with the tools and guidance needed to align with compliance goals.
Action
UNO has moved from planning into active implementation of digital accessibility compliance through coordinated action:
Policy Rollout & Adoption
Putting drafted accessibility policies into practice, particularly in Procurement and technology adoption processes.
Accessibility Training & Integration
Embedding accessibility modules into faculty/staff professional development and integrating training into existing onboarding and support programs.
Remediation in Action
Systematically addressing accessibility gaps identified in websites, course materials, and digital systems, ensuring improvements are measurable and sustainable.
Ongoing Support Infrastructure
Expanding the resource website, providing consultation services, and ensuring communication channels are open for guidance and reporting of accessibility issues.
This action phase ensures that UNO’s awareness and planning efforts translate into tangible, campuswide improvements in accessibility.
Maintain
UNO’s digital accessibility initiative is centered on ensuring that progress is ongoing, measurable, and embedded into institutional practices. This means:
Continuous Monitoring & Audits
Regularly reviewing websites, course content, and digital systems to maintain compliance.
Policy Integration
Embedding accessibility requirements permanently into procurement, technology adoption, and content creation processes.
Capacity Building
Providing ongoing training and resources so faculty, staff, and students can independently maintain accessibility standards.
Feedback & Accountability
Establishing reporting mechanisms and using compliance metrics to guide improvement.
Cultural Shift
Moving beyond compliance to foster a campuswide culture where accessibility is viewed as a shared responsibility and a long-term value.