Accessibility

May 5, 2026

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

I hope this message finds each of you well.

You may have recently seen communications regarding the federal extension of the Title II web and mobile accessibility compliance deadline from April 24, 2026 to April 26, 2027 for institutions like SUNY Purchase.

I want to provide an important point of clarity: This extension does not pause or lessen our responsibility to ensure accessibility.

We are obligated under current NYS law and the US Department of Health and Human Services regulations, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act, to have accessible apps and websites.

The additional time to meet this federal regulation should be understood as an opportunity to continue strengthening and completing the important accessibility work already underway across the College; not as a reason to delay progress.

Accessibility remains a shared institutional responsibility and an important part of fostering an inclusive and equitable learning and working environment for all members of our community.

I appreciate the faculty and staff who have already engaged thoughtfully in this work. I encourage continued attention to accessibility best practices in teaching, communication, events, digital content, and technology use.

Please take a moment now to evaluate your content, including pdfs, for accessibility. Please follow all guidance in past emails. If you have questions or concerns, my colleagues are also here to provide support.

• If you have questions related to creating or updating web content, please complete a Web Request form.
  
  
• If you are an instructor with questions about accessible learning materials, please contact Rebecca Oling, Director of Digital
  Accessibility.
  
  
• If you have broader questions or concerns regarding accessibility initiatives or obligations, please contact the Accessibility Committee.

I have included some guidance below my signature (Guidance removed. See Accessibility subsite resources for guidance.). I will continue to provide updates and resources as we move forward together.

I also want to acknowledge that a true shift toward universal design can challenge our longstanding norms and practices, but it is incredibly important that every person have full access to their Purchase experience. Thank you for your partnership and continued commitment to accessibility and inclusive excellence.

Warm regards,

Maurice D. Nelson, EdD, CDE® (he/him/his)

Chief Diversity Officer

Titles II/VI/VII/IX and ADA/504 Coordinator & Affirmative Action Officer

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