Addressing the Accessibility Gap in Higher Education

This white paper discusses the challenges faculty face regarding accessibility in higher education, based on data from the 2025 Anthology Faculty Survey. It identifies three primary gaps: the Awareness Gap, the Resource Gap, and the Confidence Gap. The Awareness Gap highlights that many faculty members are unaware of the legal requirements for accessibility, particularly the updated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which mandates compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA by April 2026. The Resource Gap indicates that instructors often lack the necessary training, time, and tools to implement accessibility effectively. Lastly, the Confidence Gap reveals that even those who recognize the importance of accessibility may hesitate to act due to uncertainty about their capabilities. The paper outlines practical steps institutions can take to close these gaps, emphasizing the need for a cultural shift towards accessibility as a core value in educational practices.