Accessibility Statement

Last Updated: December 10, 2024

SchoolBlocks is dedicated to providing an inclusive educational technology platform that serves all members of the school community. We believe that accessibility is not just a legal requirement, but a fundamental aspect of creating equitable educational experiences.

                            Our Goal: To ensure that all users, including those with disabilities, can effectively access, navigate, and interact with our platform to achieve their educational objectives.
                        

1. Our Commitment to Accessibility

SchoolBlocks is committed to making our platform accessible to people with disabilities. We continuously work to improve the user experience for everyone and apply relevant accessibility standards.

Legal Compliance

We strive to comply with applicable accessibility laws and regulations, including:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Ensuring equal access to public accommodations
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act - Prohibiting disability discrimination in federally funded programs
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act - Federal accessibility standards for electronic content
State Accessibility Laws - Various state-level requirements for educational institutions

Ongoing Efforts

Our accessibility efforts include:

Regular accessibility audits and testing
User feedback integration and response
Staff training on accessibility best practices
Collaboration with accessibility experts and organizations
Continuous improvement of our platform's accessibility features

2. Standards and Guidelines

We follow internationally recognized accessibility standards to ensure our platform meets the needs of users with diverse abilities.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1

Our platform aims to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. These guidelines are organized around four main principles:

Perceivable Level AA

Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.

Text alternatives for images and media
Captions and transcripts for videos
Sufficient color contrast ratios
Resizable text up to 200% without loss of functionality

Operable Level AA

User interface components and navigation must be operable by all users.

Full keyboard accessibility
No content that causes seizures or physical reactions
Sufficient time limits for timed content
Clear navigation and page structure

Understandable Level AA

Information and the operation of user interface must be understandable.

Clear and simple language
Predictable navigation and functionality
Input assistance and error identification
Consistent design patterns

Robust Level AA

Content must be robust enough to be interpreted by a wide variety of user agents and assistive technologies.

Valid, semantic HTML markup
Compatibility with screen readers
Support for assistive technologies
Future-proof accessibility features

3. Accessibility Features

Our platform includes numerous built-in accessibility features designed to support users with various needs:

Visual Accessibility

High Contrast Mode

Enhanced color contrast options for users with visual impairments or color vision deficiencies.

Text Scaling

Support for browser zoom up to 200% and customizable font sizes throughout the platform.

Alternative Text

Comprehensive alt text for images, graphics, and visual content to support screen readers.

Motor and Mobility Accessibility

Keyboard Navigation

Full keyboard accessibility with logical tab order and visible focus indicators.

Click Target Size

Appropriately sized clickable elements (minimum 44x44 pixels) for easy interaction.

Cognitive Accessibility

Clear Layout

Consistent, predictable layout with clear headings and logical content structure.

Error Prevention

Clear error messages, form validation, and confirmation dialogs for important actions.

Hearing Accessibility

Captions and Transcripts

Closed captions for videos and transcripts for audio content when available.

Visual Indicators

Visual alternatives to audio alerts and notifications throughout the platform.

4. Testing and Compliance

Regular Testing Methods

We employ multiple testing approaches to ensure accessibility compliance:

Automated Testing: Regular scans using tools like axe-core, WAVE, and Lighthouse
Manual Testing: Human evaluation of user interfaces and workflows
Screen Reader Testing: Testing with NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver
Keyboard Navigation Testing: Ensuring full functionality without a mouse
User Testing: Feedback from users with disabilities

Third-Party Audits

We regularly engage accessibility experts and organizations to conduct independent audits of our platform, including:

Annual comprehensive accessibility assessments
Specialized testing for new features and updates
Compliance verification against current standards
Recommendations for continuous improvement

Assistive Technology Compatibility

Our platform is tested and optimized for compatibility with:

Screen Readers: NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack
Voice Recognition: Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Windows Speech Recognition
Switch Navigation: Various switch-activated devices
Magnification Software: ZoomText, MAGic, built-in OS magnifiers

5. Feedback and Support

We value feedback from our users and are committed to addressing accessibility concerns promptly and effectively.

How to Report Accessibility Issues

If you encounter accessibility barriers while using our platform, please let us know:

Accessibility Support Team

Email: accessibility@schoolblocks.com

Phone: (800) 313-6438 (Press 3 for Accessibility Support)

Online Form: Submit Accessibility Feedback

What to Include in Your Report

To help us address your concern quickly, please include:

Description of the accessibility barrier
The specific page or feature affected
Your browser and assistive technology information
Steps to reproduce the issue
Your contact information for follow-up

Our Response Commitment

We are committed to responding to accessibility feedback:

Acknowledgment: Within 2 business days
Initial Assessment: Within 5 business days
Resolution Timeline: Provided based on issue complexity
Follow-up: Regular updates until resolution

Alternative Access

If you cannot access certain content or features due to accessibility barriers, we will work with you to provide alternative access methods, which may include:

Alternative formats for documents and media
Phone or email assistance for online processes
Temporary workarounds while we address the issue
Direct support from our accessibility team

6. Ongoing Improvements

Accessibility is an ongoing commitment, and we continuously work to improve our platform:

Current Initiatives

Implementation of ARIA landmarks and labels
Enhanced keyboard navigation patterns
Improved color contrast across all interfaces
Better support for screen reader announcements
Mobile accessibility enhancements

Future Plans

WCAG 2.2 compliance implementation
Advanced personalization options
Enhanced cognitive accessibility features
Improved multilingual accessibility support
Integration with emerging assistive technologies

                            Stay Updated: We regularly update this accessibility statement to reflect our current efforts and improvements. Check back periodically for the latest information about our accessibility initiatives.
                        

7. Contact Information

For questions about accessibility or to request assistance, please contact us:

SchoolBlocks Accessibility Team

Email: accessibility@schoolblocks.com

Phone: (800) 313-6438

TTY: 1-800-555-0199

Mail:
SchoolBlocks Accessibility Team
123 Education Way
Learning City, LC 12345

Business Hours

Our accessibility support team is available:

Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST
Emergency Support: Available 24/7 for critical accessibility issues
Email Support: Monitored continuously with response within 24 hours