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WHAT NOW? Reflections on Applying the ADA Final Rule at ��ɫ��

Alison Haynes, editor

Information in the March issue about the ADA Final Rule caused quite a stir. Many appreciated the plain language and detail. But even with clarity, we all agree that it still feels overwhelming—especially combined with T28, SB1, presidential orders, and the sense that higher education is under siege.

Uncertainty also lingers about when the cross-campus working group will provide direction—and what it will be. "What should we do NOW?" is a phrase I'm hearing often. The solution for both compliance and resilience is in the Equal Access group’s name: Collaborative. We must unite on campus, statewide, and nationally to share resources, tips, and strategies.

Here are some ways to connect with others and hear about their efforts:

• The ��ɫ�� . Share what you're working on, use tags to mark key topics (e.g., #websites, #socialmedia), and chat about pressing issues. Ask questions, share answers. Note: the link will ask for your @kent.edu email address. You'll get a notification in Teams when you have been added to the channel.

• Connect with your Digital Accessibility team: Doug Flower, accessibility specialist, and myself, Alison Haynes, welcome the opportunity to provide consultation. We are especially hoping you'll invite us to a team meeting to discuss final rule compliance and your potential strategy. Note: comprehensive information around digital accessibility topics can be found on our Help Topics pages. 

• The . Join for the great acronym, stay for the ideas. Connect with 100+ higher ed staff and faculty across Ohio. All job titles and knowledge levels welcome; discussions cover strategy, buy-in, and compliance. Note: complete  to be invited to meetings.

• The of , Association of Higher Education and Disability. Open to all, whether primarily focused on disability efforts or not. ��ɫ��’s own Dr. Darcy McBride, Assistant Director, Student Accessibility Services, Regional Campuses, will serve as president this year. Membership is $20 per person.

• The of .  The IT Accessibility Community Group hosts robust discussions of issues and links to the monthly meetings. Open for any member to post a question or comment. Note: you will need to create an EDUCAUSE profile with your kent.edu account before accessing.

Most of all, don’t forget our why. These efforts create equal access across our digital footprint. Like curb cuts and captions, accessibility benefits everyone.

The Equal Access Cooperative: Essential for some; Useful for all.