UDTS updates for Digital Accessibility
UDTS wants our digital content to be accessible to everyone. With that in mind, we have created templates that align with these accessibility standards. These templates can be found under “All New Templates” on the UDTS Templates page. UDTS strongly recommends using our All New Templates.
Starting in the Spring of 2027, all theses and dissertations must be formatted using our new Accessible Templates, which incorporate accessibility standards.
Students graduating in Fall 2026 may choose to use either the new Accessible templates, or they may continue to use the Legacy templates, which are listed under “Legacy Templates” on this page. We encourage you to explore both templates, but please be advised: whichever version you send for the first round of the Format Review is the version you must use throughout the process, from the first round of the Format Review through Final Submission.
As an incentive to use All New Template, we offer priority status for both Format Reviews and Final Submission processing for Fall 2026 for students who use the All New Template.
The Legacy Templates will be phased out and removed before the first day of class in the Spring 2026 Semester.
Click here to access our templates.
Below, we mention a few of the updates that have been made to the All New Template.
What do some of these changes look like?
UDTS has worked with ATI and other campus stakeholders to identify areas which students will need to address to ensure that their theses/dissertations meet basic digital accessibility standards. Some of these changes include:
- Tables and Figures
- Font
- Spacing
Please click here for a more detailed description on the changes in our All New Template. If you want to skip the reading and just get to writing, please click here and use our All New Template.
UDTS support
Change can be overwhelming sometimes and UDTS is here to support you through this process. To help our students navigate these changes we have workshops to understand the All New Template. Click here to request additional help from our staff on specific questions concerning the changes.
If you would like to learn more about the Digital Content Accessibility Action Plan or ATI‘s objectives we encourage you visit their website and training workshops.