ADA Compliance: What Every School District Needs to Know

In recent years, school districts across the nation have faced an increasing number of lawsuits related to website accessibility. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), originally passed in 1990, has evolved to encompass digital accessibility, making it essential for educational institutions to ensure their websites are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

This comprehensive guide will help school administrators, IT directors, and webmasters understand the critical aspects of ADA compliance for educational websites and provide actionable steps to protect their districts from legal challenges.

Understanding the Legal Landscape

The ADA requires that public accommodations be accessible to individuals with disabilities. While the law was written before the internet era, courts have increasingly interpreted this to include websites, particularly for public entities like school districts.

Common Accessibility Barriers

Many school websites inadvertently create barriers for users with disabilities. Understanding these common issues is the first step toward compliance:

Visual Accessibility Issues

• Missing or inadequate alt text for images
• Poor color contrast between text and background
• Text that cannot be resized without losing functionality
• Information conveyed only through color

Navigation and Interaction Barriers

• Keyboard navigation not supported
• Focus indicators missing or unclear
• Forms without proper labels
• Time limits on content without user control

Content Structure Problems

• Improper heading structure (H1, H2, H3)
• Links with unclear or duplicate text
• Tables without proper headers
• Documents (PDFs) that aren't accessible

"Accessibility is not just about compliance—it's about ensuring every member of your school community can access the information and services they need to succeed."

The WCAG 2.1 AA Standard

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA has become the de facto standard for web accessibility compliance. It's organized around four main principles:

1. Perceivable

Information must be presentable in ways users can perceive:

• Provide text alternatives for images
• Offer captions and transcripts for videos
• Ensure sufficient color contrast
• Make content adaptable to different presentations

2. Operable

Interface components must be operable by all users:

• Make all functionality keyboard accessible
• Give users enough time to read content
• Don't use content that causes seizures
• Help users navigate and find content

3. Understandable

Information and UI operation must be understandable:

• Make text readable and understandable
• Make content appear and operate predictably
• Help users avoid and correct mistakes

4. Robust

Content must be robust enough for various assistive technologies:

• Maximize compatibility with assistive technologies
• Use valid, semantic HTML
• Ensure content works across different browsers and devices

Practical Steps for Compliance

Achieving ADA compliance requires a systematic approach. Here's a practical roadmap for school districts:

Phase 1: Assessment and Planning

1. Conduct an accessibility audit of your current website
2. Prioritize issues based on severity and user impact
3. Develop a remediation timeline with realistic milestones
4. Assign responsibilities to team members

Phase 2: Technical Implementation

1. Fix critical issues first: Missing alt text, keyboard navigation, color contrast
2. Improve content structure: Proper headings, form labels, link text
3. Address multimedia: Add captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions
4. Test thoroughly: Use both automated tools and manual testing

Phase 3: Ongoing Maintenance

1. Establish content guidelines for staff who update the website
2. Implement regular testing schedules
3. Train content creators on accessibility best practices
4. Monitor for new issues as content is added or updated

Creating an Accessibility Policy

Every school district should have a clear accessibility policy that demonstrates their commitment to inclusion. This policy should include:

• A commitment statement to accessibility
• Contact information for accessibility concerns
• Information about assistive technologies supported
• A process for requesting accommodations
• Regular review and update procedures

The Business Case for Accessibility

Beyond legal compliance, accessibility offers numerous benefits to school districts:

• Improved usability for everyone: Accessible design benefits all users
• Better SEO: Many accessibility practices improve search rankings
• Enhanced reputation: Demonstrates commitment to inclusion and equity
• Future-proofing: Accessible sites work better across devices and technologies

Working with Vendors and Contractors

When working with web developers, content management systems, or third-party tools, ensure accessibility is part of the conversation from the beginning:

• Include accessibility requirements in RFPs and contracts
• Request VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) documentation
• Require accessibility testing as part of the development process
• Establish ongoing support for accessibility maintenance

Looking Forward

Web accessibility is not a one-time project but an ongoing commitment. As technology evolves and new content is added, maintaining accessibility requires continuous attention and effort.

The investment in accessibility pays dividends not only in legal protection but in creating a more inclusive, usable experience for your entire school community. By taking proactive steps now, school districts can ensure they're providing equal access to information and services for all families, regardless of ability.

Remember: accessibility is not just about avoiding lawsuits—it's about living up to the educational mission of serving all students and families in your community.