In week one, we geared up in the "Toolshed." In week two, we tackled the “Guest Room” by auditing third-party tools. Now, it's time to head up to the "Attic." Just like a home attic, our digital spaces—websites, Google Drives, SharePoints, Canvas courses, etc.—often collect content we no longer use. Not every piece of digital content needs a deep clean; some items just need to be thrown out.

By identifying what to archive, remediate, or remove, we make our digital campus easier to navigate and ensure steady progress ahead of the April 24, 2026, deadline.

Wait—Does This Apply to Me?

Almost certainly! If you create or share information using a computer, you are a digital content creator. Under the updated ADA standards, "digital content" includes documents (e.g., Word, PowerPoint), emails, announcements, instructional materials, social media, websites, and web platforms.

In short, if a Highlander needs to read it or click it to participate in UCR life, it counts!

Week Three Guidance

Where Do I Start?

You may own a lot of digital content. When trying to determine where to start, ask yourself the following questions: 

• Is it public-facing?
• Are UC community members required to use it?
• Is it already known that users with disabilities use it?
• Does it contain critical features with known Accessibility defects?
• Does it receive high traffic (if "view" data is available)?
• Is it a procured resource that does not include conformance with the Accessibility Standard in the contract?
• Is it currently undergoing material alteration?

Prioritize reviewing content with the most "yes" answers to the above questions.

The “CARE” Method

Once you have a sense of where to start, we suggest employing the CARE method: Check, Archive, Remediate or Remove. Details are in the Pre-Existing Content Guidelines on the Digital Accessibility website, and a brief summary is below:

• Check Compliance: Pre-existing online content that is already compliant requires no additional action.
  If content is non-compliant, it may be exempt if it meets specific criteria.
• Archive: Old webpage and Canvas course content can be kept strictly for reference or records. See the "Faculty Focus" and "Website Wranglers" sections below to learn how UCR is proactively archiving this content.
• Remediate: If it’s "living" content used for university business, instruction, or research, it needs to be made accessible. Find remediation guidance and training resources on the Digital Accessibility webpage.
• Remove:
  • Re-permission: Change the access (sharing) permissions on the document or file so that the content is only visible to you. This effectively makes your digital content private and, therefore, remediation is not necessary.
  • Delete: If it’s an old draft, a duplicate, outdated info, or simply no longer needed, toss it!

Pro Tip: Review the viewing permissions on digital files in your Google Drive, OneDrive, and SharePoint (Teams) sites. Prioritize remediating files shared with everyone at UCR or anyone with the link (public). As a best practice and to minimize remediation efforts, only grant permission to those who need it.

Faculty Focus

Good news! Old Canvas courses are automatically archived. No additional action is needed for this content.

Canvas courses used or created in spring 2026 and beyond must meet the new Accessibility Standards. The Provost’s Office is temporarily funding course remediation assistance through XCITE.

Request Help Remediating Canvas Courses
View Accessibility Resources for Faculty
How to Use the “UDOIT” Tool in Canvas

Website Wranglers

ITS has proactively archived hundreds of UCR websites. Search the archive to determine if your site has been added. If a website is properly archived and the site is no longer needed, please delete the website before April 24, 2026 with the knowledge that the archived version and its contents will remain available for reference. If you do not see your website(s) listed, submit a request for archival support.

View the List of Archived Websites
Request Website Archival Support

Did You Miss Previous Weeks or Want to Get Ahead?

You can find all of the accessibility guidance and resources provided as part of the Digital Deep Clean challenge on the Digital Accessibility webpage!

Visit the Digital Accessibility Webpage to Learn More

Access barrier? Report digital accessibility issues or request remediation of inaccessible digital content.