Most schools don’t realize how much pressure is coming. Within the next few years, new ADA regulations are expected to make website accessibility a legal requirement, not a suggestion. If your school’s website isn’t ready, it’s not just inconvenient. It could put you out of compliance.
Accessibility is no longer a “nice-to-have.” The upcoming standards will require every public-facing page, document, and file to meet WCAG 2.2 guidelines. That means color contrast, alt text, keyboard navigation, and accessible PDFs won’t be optional. Schools that wait until enforcement begins will be trying to rebuild under a deadline.
Updating now saves more than stress later. An accessible website isn’t just about avoiding risk; it’s about access. Parents using assistive devices, students with visual impairments, and community members who need clear navigation all benefit when your site works the way it should. Accessibility and usability go hand in hand and both build trust.
The next wave of change won’t stop with accessibility. Technology is evolving fast. Parents expect instant updates, mobile-first design, and easy access to grades, calendars, and alerts. AI is reshaping how people search and interact online. A slow, outdated, or confusing site won’t meet those expectations.
Building for the future means focusing on three things: accessibility, speed, and flexibility. Start with clean, modern code that meets current ADA standards. Choose a content management system that can scale. And make sure your site loads quickly on mobile, because that’s where parents actually use it.
Schools that treat their websites like static bulletin boards will fall behind. The ones that treat them like living, evolving communication tools will stay ahead of the curve and out of trouble. The time to prepare isn’t when the laws change; it’s right now.
The future’s coming either way. The question is whether your school’s website will be ready for it, or catching up to it.
Required by Law for Public School Websites
- Board of Education Policies
Publicly posted and accessible - Annual Financial Reports & Budgets
Current and prior year available - Meeting Board Agendas
Posted at least 24 hours before meetings - Contact Information
Superintendent, board members, and key staff - Non-Discrimination Statement
Title IX, ADA/504 compliance notices - Student Data Privacy
FERPA and COPPA compliance language - Accessibility Compliance
WCAG/ADA Section 508 standards - Required Academic & Performance Data
Report cards, testing, and accountability metrics - Safe & Harassment-Free Schools Policies
Bullying prevention, grievance procedures
