Digital Document FAQs

An archive is simply a designated place for eligible digital content to be stored. This content can still be publicly available.

Please keep in mind that content must meet all four requirements to be eligible for archiving:

1. The content was created before April 24, 2026, AND
2. The content is kept only for reference, research, or recordkeeping, AND
3. The content is kept in a special area for archived content, AND
4. The content has not been changed since it was archived.

Yes, archives can have subdirectories and folder structure. The critical part is that an archive is available and clearly labeled.

Please keep in mind that content must meet all four requirements to be eligible for archiving:

1. The content was created before April 24, 2026, AND
2. The content is kept only for reference, research, or recordkeeping, AND
3. The content is kept in a special area for archived content, AND
4. The content has not been changed since it was archived.

Yes. You may still link to a digital document on other parts of your website, but the file must clearly be labeled as archived and only be kept for research or recordkeeping.

This may be done if you have built your archive on your website, or in a different document repository, like Google Drive or Box.

You will need to ensure that there is up-to-date contact information on your website, so folks have a clear line of communication if they need to contact your site owner about remediating an inaccessible file that falls under the archive exception.

This can simply be the standard 'contact us' page on your website.

All documents posted after April 24, 2026 must meet WCAG 2.1 AA criteria, even if you put them directly into the archive section of your website.

You will need to remediate the file promptly. The file must meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. Please reach out to [email protected] for additional guidance. 

Yes - but after April 24, 2026, any document you edit or republish from the archive must be updated to meet WCAG 2.1 AA criteria. 

When you make edits, the content is treated as if it’s new. This applies even if the content was originally created before April 24, 2026. If you’re updating the content, it means the information is still important and people need access to it.

Note: Updating document metadata or removing personal information is allowed for archived content without having to remediate the document. Please contact [email protected] for additional support.  

You may not move your documents used for Berkeley business to another website to avoid accessibility compliance.

You are still responsible for ensuring WCAG 2.1 AA if your documents are used to access your program, activity, or service.

‘Internal’ documents are files hosted on your site. You are directly responsible for the accessibility of these files. We recommend reviewing and addressing 'internal' documents first.

‘External’ documents are files hosted on another website that you have linked to.

You are responsible for making sure documents on your site are accessible.

You may still be responsible for the accessibility of 'external' files if they are associated with or used to apply for, gain access to, or take part in your services, programs, or activities. 

For specific questions, please contact [email protected].

Yes. Your document must still meet digital document requirements.

No. Individualized, password-protected documents are not required to be accessible. This might include student transcripts, personal Google docs, or student billing statements.