Digital accessibility non-compliance can lead to a range of significant risks for UWM, including:
Exclusion of Users
When a website or app isn’t accessible, it excludes a large portion of the population, including individuals with visual, auditory, motor or cognitive disabilities. This can lead to lost opportunities when users are unable to interact with UWM’s digital content.
Legal Consequences
Many countries, including the U.S., require websites and mobile apps to be accessible. In the U.S., the Department of Justice has introduced a new rule under the Americans with Disabilities Act specifically targeting web content and mobile applications. These rules set clearer standards for digital accessibility compliance, including adherence to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. Non-compliance can lead to lawsuits, fines and enforcement actions from regulatory agencies, making it essential for UWM to meet accessibility requirements proactively.
Reputation Damage
Non-compliance can harm the university’s reputation, credibility and trustworthiness, potentially affecting enrollment, donations and partnerships.