ADA Ready

Accessibility Overview

Everyone in the Tri-County Technical College (TCTC) community deserves to be able to use required systems and materials to do their work, teaching and learning. When systems and materials are clear, easy to get to and easy to use, everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Accessibility vs. Compliance

When we talk about ADA accessibility, it’s important to understand the difference between accessibility and compliance — and why both matter.

Accessibility is about people.

It means designing our digital content, documents, classrooms, communications, and technologies so that everyone can use them — including individuals who rely on assistive technology or alternative formats. Accessibility ensures equity, dignity, and full participation.

Compliance is about the law.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Section 508, and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) all require that public institutions — including colleges — provide equal access to information, services, and programs. Compliance ensures we meet these legally enforceable standards.

In other words, accessibility is the right thing to do. Compliance is the law. We need both.

Creating accessible content isn’t optional, and it isn’t merely a technical exercise. It is an extension of our mission — ensuring every student and employee has equal access to the information and opportunities our college provides.

Explore how Tri-County Technical College is advancing in these efforts and access tools with ready-to-use materials for accessibility and compliance.