Archiving

Some older web content is considered “archived” and is not required to be accessible.

If you have not already done so, read the guidance on what to consider before deciding what to archive and where to store archive records.

Table of Contents

Am I required to make my old web content accessible?

If web content meets all four of the following criteria, it is “archived web content” and is not required to meet WCAG 2.1 AA.

Flowchart titled “Am I required to make my old web content accessible?” If content was created before April 24, 2026, kept only for reference, research, or recordkeeping, has not been altered or updated since it was archived, and is organized and stored in a dedicated archive area, then it is considered “Archived Web Content” and is not required to be accessible.

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Criteria

  1. It was created before April 24, 2026, or reproduces the contents of other physical media created before that date; and
  2. It is kept only for reference, research or recordkeeping; and
  3. It is not  altered or updated after the date of archiving; and
  4. It is organized and stored in a dedicated area or areas clearly identified as being archived. 

Result

If all four of the conditions are true, then your content is not required to be accessible.

Note: You may still have to provide web content in an accessible format if an individual requests it. Review the DOJ rule on digital accessibility, paragraph 34.

What does it mean to be “kept for reference, research and recordkeeping?”

Web content that is “kept only for reference, research and recordkeeping” cannot be used to participate in a current UWM service, program or activity.

Example of content kept for reference, research or recordkeeping

  • A PDF form that was created in 2024, but must be filled out by students to participate in a current program must be accessible.
  • If UWM Libraries creates a new web page that features historic documents, those historic documents must be accessible.
  • Meeting minutes from 2023 that are stored in an “archive” section of a UWM.edu subsite and not used by any class, program or activity are not required to be accessible. 

What is a dedicated area for archived content?

A dedicated area for archived content must have a clear, consistent label that identifies it as an archive. This can be a section of a site or a section of a page.

Consult the Archived Content Notice guidance for information on how to properly label your content as archived.

Examples of content kept in a dedicated area

  • Meeting minutes from 2023 that is clearly labelled with an Archive Content notice and is not used by any class, program or activity are not required to be accessible.
  • A historical document that is clearly labelled with an Archive Content notice and is not used by any class, program or activity is not required to be accessible.

Preexisting social media, under ADA II digital accessibility regulations, refers to any social media content that was created and posted before the effective date of the new ADA digital access rules (i.e., before April 24, 2026). This includes posts, images, videos or other materials shared on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, etc., by a covered entity.

While preexisting content is not required to be made accessible unless it is still actively used or required for current communication, entities are encouraged to review and archive or remediate important materials that remain relevant or in regular use.