Arizona Western College is committed to attaining and maintaining WCAG 2.1 AA compliance for digital communications and software interfaces by April 24, 2026. Check this page in the coming months for more resources. Feel free to reach out to our team with any questions.
How are we responding?
Each area should begin evaluating and addressing accessibility issues in their digital communications and software. At the college-level, Arizona Western College has formed a Web Accessibility Taskforce to help coordinate information, training and other resources about digital accessibility. Departments and individual employees are taking additional measures to ensure compliance.
Who is responsible for ensuring accessibility compliance?
All faculty and staff are responsible for ensuring compliance with the documents they make and the software purchased.
Who can help?
- Questions for the Web Accessibility Taskforce.
- For help with academic content, contact the Canvas Faculty Support.
- Need help with accessibility with software in your area, contact the IT Service Desk.
- For help with content posted to this website or official AWC sponsored social media, submit a Marketing Request form.
What materials must comply?
Digital content that must comply with the standard includes:
- Course materials
- Digital documents created in Word, Powerpoint, Excel, etc.
- Email messages, including newsletters and e-blasts
- Social media posts
- Videos
- Websites and web portals, myAWC, Campus Map, Calendar, Canvas, Catalog, Class Schedule, etc.
Exceptions: Archival material, documents that are generated for an individual person or account (ex. a billing statement), documents created before April 24, 2026 (as long as they are not required for participation in an AWC program).
Software that must comply includes:
- Browser-based software or apps that are necessary to participate in an AWC program or service.
Quick resources
- Overview of the WCAG 2.1 AA compliance and the new Justice Department rule
- WCAG 2.1 AA standards
- Accessibility Quick Tips for Microsoft Word
- Create and verify PDF accessibility
- Use the Microsoft Office Accessibility Checker inside the local application.
- Create Accessible Course with Canvas
- Authoring Meaningful Alternative Text
- Captions and Subtitles
- Color Contrast Checker