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ForwardThe Department of Justice has issued updated regulations under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requiring that digital content made available to students, patients, or the public meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standard, effective April 24, 2026.
This applies to CE activities and the materials associated with them — including documents, videos, handout materials, and any content shared with participants or the public through CECentral.
CECentral provides an accessible website and delivery platform through EthosCE and Warpwire. Details about the accessibility features built into these systems are available on our CECentral Website Accessibility Features page.
However, the accessibility of educational materials depends on how content is created and provided by activity planners, faculty, and other contributors. Faculty and activity planning committee members are responsible for ensuring that any educational materials, documents, and media they create or submit meet applicable ADA and WCAG accessibility requirements. This responsibility applies to all contributors, including those not affiliated with the University of Kentucky.
Accessibility Requirements for Educational Materials
The following requirements apply to all educational materials submitted for CE activities hosted on CECentral.
| Accessibility Requirement | WCAG Standard | What Faculty / Planners Must Do |
|---|---|---|
| Accurate captions and transcripts | WCAG 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) | Review and edit captions/transcripts for accuracy and include descriptions of relevant images and meaningful non-speech sounds when appropriate. |
| Alternative text for images | WCAG 1.1.1 Non-text Content | Provide descriptive alt text for images, charts, diagrams, and figures included in educational materials. |
| Accessible document structure | WCAG 1.3.1 Info and Relationships | Use accessible formatting in Word, PowerPoint, and PDFs (headings, lists, tagged PDFs). |
| Color contrast and color-independent information | WCAG 1.4.1 Use of Color; WCAG 1.4.3 Contrast | Ensure sufficient color contrast and do not rely on color alone to convey meaning. |
| Clear hyperlink text | WCAG 2.4.4 Link Purpose | Use descriptive hyperlinks rather than generic text such as “click here.” |
| Avoid flashing or seizure-triggering visuals | WCAG 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below | Avoid flashing animations or rapid visual effects in presentations or videos. |
| Narrated slide presentations | WCAG 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative | Ensure key visual information presented in charts, images, and diagrams is described verbally. |
| Complex charts, graphs, or medical images | WCAG 1.1.1 Non-text Content | Provide text explanations or narration describing key data points and findings shown in visual figures. |
Additional Resources
- CECentral Website Accessibility Features — Accessibility features built into the CECentral platform (EthosCE and Warpwire).
- ADA Video Accessibility Checklist (.docx) — Checklist for ensuring video content hosted on CECentral meets ADA and WCAG requirements.
- UK Digital Accessibility Guidelines — University of Kentucky guidance on digital accessibility standards and best practices.
- CECentral WCAG 2.1 Procedures Decision Tree — Decision tree for determining when CECentral WCAG procedures apply to an educational activity.