Soundbites

Accountability NPRM Released. The Department of Education released its notice of proposed rulemaking on the Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) regulations, which cover the new program-level accountability framework from reconciliation. NAICU will be submitting comments in response, and interested parties must submit comments for the record by May 20.

Web Accessibility Rules Sow Confusion. Due to significant compliance challenges, the Department of Justice (DOJ) delayed by one year new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) rules requiring public colleges to comply with strict web accessibility standards for individuals with disabilities. While the rule is not applicable to private, nonprofit institutions, similar ADA rules for the sector are expected to be issued at some point in the future. Meanwhile, there is no word on whether the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is planning to delay the May 11, 2026 effective date of web accessibility rules that apply to all HHS funding recipients, including private, nonprofit institutions, under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.