USD Launches New Center for Digital Accessibility
The center was created in part to support South Dakota organizations as they update their digital materials to meet Web Content Accessibility Requirements for State and Local Government Entities under ADA Title II, which go into effect in April of 2026. It will provide member institutions of the South Dakota Board of Regents—as well as other regional colleges and universities across the state—with a variety of digital accessibility services, such as document remediation, digital accessibility strategic plans, accessibility audits, software evaluations, research and website reviews.
These efforts help reduce barriers for individuals with disabilities while improving the engagement experience for all, including students.
“My goal is to see students able to interact with content in ways that will help them improve their learning and comprehension,” said Angela Jackson, Ed.D., director of USD’s Office of Accessibility and the new director for the Center for Digital Accessibility. “And, in the end, hopefully we see those students reach their educational goals and graduate.”
Jackson and the center’s certified staff experts emulate the digital experiences of users with disabilities to determine responsiveness, compliance, engagement and user experience. These services provide a human discernment that software and AI does not replicate very well and are more affordable than out-of-state providers of similar services.
As an independent public service activity center operating within the university, the Center for Digital Accessibility will generate income that pays for staff, tools and operations costs. With the profits from providing this service to organizations across the state, the center aims to offer low-cost accessibility support for universities and public institutions.
For more information about the center and their services, please visit usd.edu/digital-accessibility or email [email protected].
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