Education Digital Accessibility
Educational institutions have robust legal obligations to provide accessible digital learning environments. From K-12 schools to universities, accessibility is essential for equitable education.
Multiple Legal Requirements
Educational institutions must comply with Section 504, ADA Title II (public schools), ADA Title III (private schools), and IDEA for K-12 special education.
Applicable Laws
Section 504
Applies to: All schools receiving federal funding
Prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities. Requires equal access to educational programs, including digital materials and technology.
ADA Title II
Applies to: Public schools, state universities, community colleges
April 2024 rule requires WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance for all web content and mobile apps by 2026/2027.
ADA Title III
Applies to: Private schools and universities
Private educational institutions are places of public accommodation and must provide accessible websites and digital services.
IDEA
Applies to: K-12 public schools
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires appropriate accommodations, including accessible instructional materials.
Key Areas of Focus
LMS platforms (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L) must be accessible:
- Navigation and course structure
- Assignment submission and grading
- Discussion forums and messaging
- Quiz and test tools
- Video conferencing integration
- Third-party tool integrations (LTI)
Documents
- PDFs must be properly tagged and structured
- Word documents with proper headings and alt text
- PowerPoints with proper reading order and alt text
Multimedia
- Videos must have accurate captions
- Audio content needs transcripts
- Complex visuals need audio descriptions
Interactive Content
- Simulations must be keyboard accessible
- Interactive exercises need alternatives
- Third-party tools must be evaluated for accessibility
- Admissions and application portals
- Registration and enrollment systems
- Financial aid and billing platforms
- Library catalogs and databases
- Campus maps and wayfinding
- Event calendars and announcements
- Emergency notification systems
- Campus apps (maps, dining, events)
- Student portal apps
- Library apps
- Recreation and sports apps
- Transit and parking apps
OCR Enforcement
The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) actively enforces Section 504 and Title II in educational settings:
Common OCR Findings
- Inaccessible LMS platforms and course materials
- Videos without captions
- PDFs that are not screen reader accessible
- Inaccessible library databases and research tools
- Lack of accessible alternatives for online content
- Failure to respond to accommodation requests
Resolution Agreements Typically Require:
- Comprehensive accessibility audits
- Remediation of identified barriers
- Accessible technology procurement policies
- Staff and faculty training programs
- Ongoing monitoring and reporting
Procurement Best Practices
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Include accessibility requirements in RFPs
Specify WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance as a requirement
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Request VPATs/ACRs from vendors
Review vendor accessibility documentation before purchase
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Conduct accessibility testing
Test products with assistive technologies during evaluation
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Include accessibility in contracts
Add accessibility clauses and remediation requirements
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Establish ongoing monitoring
Regular accessibility reviews throughout contract period
Faculty Resources
Support faculty in creating accessible content:
- Accessibility training and workshops
- Document accessibility guides
- Captioning services and tools
- Accessibility checking tools
- Alternative format production support
- Instructional design consultation
Education Quick Facts
- Primary Laws
- Section 504, ADA Title II/III, IDEA
- Enforcement
- OCR (Dept. of Education), DOJ
- Key Areas
- LMS, course content, websites
- Standard
- WCAG 2.1 Level AA
- Public School Deadline
- April 2026/2027 (Title II)