Ensuring your web pages are accessible is both a legal requirement and a shared responsibility across CAES and UGA Extension. Under updated ADA Title II and Section 504 regulations, all public-facing web content must meet federal accessibility standards by April 24, 2026. With hundreds — or even thousands — of web pages and blog posts across our sites, the key to meeting this deadline is knowing what to fix first and how to focus effort where it will have the greatest impact.
This guide for CAES and UGA Extension web content managers outlines a practical approach to prioritizing web pages and managing accessibility work efficiently.
In this guide:
Step 1: Identify and inventory pages
Start by identifying all public-facing web pages you manage. Note each page’s purpose, how often it’s used, and whether it supports services, instruction, or compliance. This inventory will guide prioritization and remediation planning.
Step 2: Prioritize by impact
Not all pages need immediate remediation. Prioritize based on user impact and risk.
High priority pages include:
- Pages required for services, instruction, or compliance
- High-traffic pages and program landing pages
- Forms, applications, and registration pages
- Content tied to current academic terms or active programs
Lower-use or outdated pages may be candidates for archiving or deletion.
Related article: How to Prioritize PDFs and Documents for Accessibility
When archiving is appropriate
Archiving can reduce remediation workload. There are two archival methods: 1) storing legacy materials online in a dedicated “archive” area, and 2) moving inactive data to long-term storage.
Storing legacy materials online
To keep non-accessible, legacy materials online after the April 24, 2026, ADA Title II deadline, they must be officially classified as archival, stored in a clearly labeled, dedicated section, and never updated. Materials must pre-date the deadline and be used only for reference or recordkeeping, not current operations.
- Establish a dedicated archive: Move identified non-accessible materials to a specific, clearly labeled section of the website, such as
/archive/or/historical/. - Label content explicitly: Clearly mark items (e.g., in the title or via a page banner) as “Archival” or “Archived Material” to inform users that they may not comply with current accessibility standards.
- Freeze content updates: Ensure no changes, edits, or updates are made to the archived documents after the deadline, as any modification disqualifies them from the exemption.
- Provide contact information: Include a clear, accessible statement within the archive section, such as: “Content in this archive may not meet current accessibility guidelines. To request an accessible version, please contact [Name/Office/Email]”.
Moving inactive data to long-term storage
Inactive archived content must not be publicly accessible through navigation, search, or direct links. Archived documents can be restored or accessed later, if necessary.
PDFs and web pages may be archived (or permanently deleted) if all of the following are true:
- The content is outdated and not required for current programs, services, instruction, or compliance
- The content is not linked from active web pages
- The content is not required for reporting, historical reference, or public accountability
- A current or accessible alternative exists, or the information is no longer relevant
Step 3: Fix high-impact issues first
Focus remediation efforts on changes that remove the biggest barriers:
- Use proper heading levels and logical navigation
- Add meaningful alternative text for images and graphics
- Address color contrast issues
- Properly label form fields and tables
Step 4: Build accessibility in ongoing work
Accessibility should be part of everyday content management — not a one-time project. Document remediation efforts, update workflows, and ensure new or revised pages meet accessibility standards before publishing.
Quick accessibility prioritization checklist
Use this checklist to guide your work:
- Do we know which pages are public and actively used?
- Have high-traffic and service-related pages been prioritized?
- Are forms, registrations, and instructional pages accessible first?
- Have outdated PDFs and pages been reviewed for archiving eligibility?
- Are remaining public pages tested for headings, alt text, and contrast?
- Are new pages created with accessibility built in from the start?
Final Thoughts
Meeting the April 2026 accessibility deadline is achievable with intentional prioritization and consistent practices. By focusing on high-impact pages, archiving content appropriately, and integrating accessibility into daily workflows, CAES and UGA Extension teams can make steady progress toward compliance.
This post was drafted with the help of AI, then thoroughly reviewed by our human editorial team for accuracy and quality.
