2026 - 02 | February Franklin College Technology Update

Reminder that accounts are now being disabled in the Qualtrics platform in alignment with the April 2024 Migration schedule. For those unexpectedly affected, if there is a continued need to export data, survey forms, and other information from the platform, please contact the Franklin OIT Helpdesk to request a limited-time read-only exception. We can provide this access until February 27, 2026.

Franklin College is committed to ensuring that all users, regardless of ability, can access and interact with online content produced by our college. Recent changes to federal law make this commitment more important than ever.

On April 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice issued an update to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This rule requires state and local governments, including public higher education institutions, to ensure that all digital content is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

This includes:

• Websites

• Course materials

• Mobile applications

• Electronic documents

• Email and social media content

The rule became effective on June 24, 2024, and the University of Georgia must be in full compliance by April 24, 2026.

To support you in meeting these requirements, we have developed a Digital Accessibility Handbook. This resource provides practical guidance, recommendations, and tools on evaluating, creating, and managing accessible content. This guide will be updated in a ongoing basis as new needs arise and processes change over time. Please review the handbook and select the content areas relevant to your work:

• Understanding Digital Accessibility

• Why should I be concerned and how does this apply to me?

Franklin OIT will work with units to identify and notify of non-compliant content and methods and may reach out to administration or individuals to make recommendations on solutions or methods to address accessibility concerns. It will require a concerted effort across all faculty and staff to ensure that we’re able to meet the goals and sustain these new practices beyond the deadline. Both of our Instructional Technology and Web Services Teams have open office hours for drop-in and can be scheduled in advance for other times.

Your role in ensuring accessibility is critical and is necessary for all faculty and staff. By following these guidelines, we can provide equitable access to all members of our community.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact our the Franklin OIT helpdesk using one of the following methods so we can best support your needs.

Email: helpdesk@franklin.uga.edu

Web: http://helpdesk.franklin.uga.edu

Phone: (706) 542-9900

Thank you for your commitment to inclusion and compliance.

Additional campus resources and information:

• EITS: ADA Title II Digital Accessibility Rule, UGA Policy, and Related Details

• EITS: Digital Accessibility Frequently Asked Questions