Some older materials on university websites may be considered archived content and exempt from current accessibility standards, but only under specific conditions. The archived content exception helps manage legacy content while maintaining compliance and equal access. Active content—anything in use, updated, or supporting ongoing tasks—must meet accessibility requirements. When in doubt, treat those items as active and ensure they are accessible. If you have questions about whether content qualifies as archived or how to proceed, submit a request for a consult with the IT Accessibility Center.
Any content published after April 24, 2026, must comply with digital accessibility standards. This date is significant because it marks when the Department of Justice’s federal mandate on digital accessibility takes effect.
Criteria for “archived” content
Content is considered archived only when all of the following are true:
- Created before April 24, 2026, or represents a digital version of physical materials originally created before that date.
- Not used for current services, programs or activities, and is kept solely for reference, research or record‑keeping.
- Not updated or modified after being placed in the archive. Any changes disqualify it from being archived content.
If content fails to meet even one of these requirements, the content must meet current accessibility standards.
Examples: What is and is not archived content
These can be treated as archived content:
- Meeting minutes from 2023 that are stored in a dedicated archive area and not used for any ongoing project, service, or administrative purpose.
- Historical materials displayed only as part of a clearly labeled archive section.
These cannot be treated as archived content and must remain accessible:
- A form from 2024 that people still need to complete to participate in a current process or program.
- Historic documents presented as part of an active website or resource rather than stored in an archive section.
If content supports any ongoing task, decision or user action, it cannot be archived for accessibility purposes.
Accessibility accommodation requests still apply
Even when content qualifies as archived, we must still provide an accessible version if someone requests it. This ensures that historical or legacy content remains available to all users when needed.
How to manage archived content
To properly designate and store archived content:
- Use clear labels: Mark archived materials with headings or banners like “Archived Content,” so users understand the material is not current. If the content is a link included on your site, update the link display text to include the words “Archived Content.” A web page can include both current and archived content as long as the archived content is clearly labeled.
- Do not modify archived files: Editing or updating an archived item means it no longer qualifies for the archived exception and needs to be made accessible.
- Provide alternatives upon request: If someone needs an accessible version, promptly create an accessible alternative. Refer to the best practice resources on this site for guidance on creating accessible content.