Accessibility & ADA Compliance at N.C. A&T

Creating accessible content is both a best practice and a legal obligation for higher education organizations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). One common accessibility challenge is the use of text within images, which often cannot be read by screen readers or other assistive technologies, excluding students with visual impairments from important information. To ensure ADA compliance and foster an inclusive learning environment, it is essential to avoid embedding text in images and instead use accessible alternatives. These best practices for accessible content creation help focus on strategies to avoid text in images and ensure that all digital materials are usable by everyone.

Failing to comply with ADA accessibility requirements in higher education can result in a range of serious negative outcomes. Financial penalties are significant: a first violation can incur a civil penalty of up to $75,000, with subsequent violations reaching $150,000 or more, and lawsuits or settlements can push costs even higher. Institutions also risk losing federal funding, as non-compliance can make them ineligible for government grants, financial aid, and research support, directly impacting operational budgets and student services.