Web Accessibility

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is committed to providing a web experience that is inclusive, usable, and accessible for all members of our community — including individuals with disabilities. Accessibility is a shared responsibility across our campus. Whether you’re creating documents, updating a webpage, or publishing event information, we’re here to support you in making content usable for everyone. If you encounter content that presents a barrier or would like help making your materials accessible, please contact our Web Accessibility Coordinator at joe@nsula.edu.

Accessibility Laws, Policies, and Compliance

The following documents outline the legal and policy framework guiding NSU’s digital accessibility efforts. They define what must be accessible, what exceptions apply, and the timeline for compliance. All campus digital content must adhere to these requirements to ensure equitable access for all users.

Public vs. Internal Content: What Rules Apply?

When creating digital content, it’s important to distinguish between public-facing materials and internal or private-use content:

  • Public Content (e.g., websites, social media posts, online forms, PDFs for public access) must meet WCAG 2.2, Level AA accessibility standards. This ensures compliance with ADA regulations and state policy (PPM 74). If it’s published online or made available to students, parents, or the public then it must be accessible from the start.
  • Internal Content (e.g., password-protected grade sheets, individual reports, or draft documents for department use) may qualify for exemptions—particularly if they are individualized, not for public use, or meet criteria outlined in the ADA Final Rule. However, if requested, even internal content may need to be remediated for accessibility.

When in doubt, assume public = accessible.

Exceptions

Not all older files need to be immediately remediated to meet the current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2), particularly if they fall under a set of specific exceptions outlined by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and our state’s PPM 74 policy: if the spreadsheet was created before April 24, 2026, and is not currently used by the public to apply for, access, or participate in services, programs, or activities, it qualifies for an exception and does not need to be made accessible unless someone specifically requests it. This includes spreadsheets.

That said, if a file is still actively used for essential processes (e.g., applications, reporting, or anything requiring user interaction), we will need to make sure it meets accessibility standards.

There is also an exception for “archived” content — including old spreadsheets — as long as all four criteria are met:

  1. The file was created before the 4/24/2026 deadline.
  2. It’s kept for reference or record-keeping only.
  3. It resides in a clearly labeled “Archived” section of the website.
  4. It hasn’t been altered since being archived.

If all four apply, that material is exempt from accessibility updates. However, we still need to provide an accessible version if someone requests it.

Resources for Content Creators

Accessibility Checkers and Tools

Art and Graphics

Excel

Outlook

PDF

Photography and Video

Powerpoint

Word