Digital Accessibility
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that requires public entities, including school districts, to ensure equal access to programs and services.
In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice clarified that this requirement explicitly applies to digital content, including websites. The rule establishes a specific technical standard:
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA
Our websites and digital materials must be usable by people with disabilities.
The Four Principles of ADA: POUR
Accessible digital content follows four core principles. Content must be Perceivable, Operable, Understandable and Robust (POUR).
Perceivable
Can everyone access your content, regardless of how they experience it?
- Provide text alternatives (alt text) for images, videos, and audio
- Ensure sufficient color contrast between text and background
- Allow content to adapt to different screen sizes without losing meaning
Operable
Can everyone navigate and use your digital tools?
- Enable full keyboard navigation—no mouse required
- Provide clear navigation with descriptive page titles and consistent menus
- Give users control over auto-play media and form timeouts
Understandable
Is your content clear and predictable?
- Use plain language your audience can understand
- Write descriptive link text (not "click here")
- Maintain consistent design and navigation across your site
Robust
Does your content work across different technologies?
- Use machine-readable text that screen readers can access
- Ensure compatibility with assistive technologies now and in the future
What Counts as "Web Content and Mobile Apps"?
This requirement covers everything we create, share and/or manage that people can access with a computer or smartphone:
- Our website: All pages, downloadable documents (PDFs, forms), embedded videos, online registration systems, calendars, and menus.
- Our external communications: Mass notification messages, e-newsletters, and emails we send to families and community members.
- Our social media: Posts, images, videos, and stories on Facebook, Instagram, X, and other platforms.
- Our learning platforms: Schoology, Seesaw, Google Classroom—both the platform itself and the content our teachers upload.
- Our third-party tools: Any digital platform we use or direct others to use, including event registration systems, payment portals, volunteer sign-ups, and district mobile apps.
- Internal communications: While staff-to-staff emails aren't subject to the same Title II requirements, accessibility best practices still apply—especially since staff members may have disabilities requiring accommodations. Building accessible habits now makes compliance easier across all communications.
If our district created it, directs its use, or is responsible for it—regardless of where it's hosted or who created it (staff, vendors, volunteers, contractors)—it needs to be accessible.
Why it Matters
Accessibility isn't just about meeting a deadline—it's about ensuring every member of our community can access the information and services they need. When we remove barriers, we support our mission and create a better experience for everyone. Accessible design benefits all users: captions help in noisy environments, clear language aids understanding, and mobile-friendly layouts serve families on the go.
Everyone who creates or shares digital content has a role to play in accessibility. This website has resources available to help you build accessibility into your daily work.