George Mason University implements digital accessibility action plan

George Mason University’s Assistive Technology Initiative (ATI) has developed the Digital Content Accessibility Action Plan (DCAAP) to ensure all digital platforms, documents, and media comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) by April 26, 2027. As part of this effort, the University Digital Thesis Service (UDTS) is remediating Word and LaTeX templates to meet these standards.

To support this transition, UDTS will host informational sessions throughout the Fall 2026 semester to explain upcoming changes to guidelines and templates. While these sessions are not instructional, the university will offer instructional sessions starting in late September 2026 and provide one-on-one appointments for assistance.

Broader digital accessibility efforts emphasize that designing for users with visual impairments requires more than visual adjustments like color contrast. Effective design must prioritize semantic HTML structure—using headings, lists, and landmarks—to allow screen readers and refreshable braille displays to communicate meaning. Developers are encouraged to ensure interactive elements have meaningful names and are fully operable via keyboard to remove barriers for users of assistive technologies.