Beginning in 2026 (depending on district size), new federal accessibility requirements will apply to state and local government websites, including public school districts. These updates stem from the U.S. Department of Justice’s changes to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which formally require digital content to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
Accessibility isn’t just a redesign issue. It’s a maintenance discipline.
Most school websites weren’t built to exclude anyone. But over time, small decisions add up. PDFs get uploaded quickly. Images go without descriptions. Navigation grows without structure. None of it feels urgent, until a deadline forces the question.
Here are just some steps schools can begin taking now:
- Review your PDFs.
Many district websites rely heavily on PDFs. If they are scanned images or untagged documents, they are unlikely to meet accessibility standards. Whenever possible, move essential information directly onto web pages instead of locking it inside documents. - Check image alternative text.
Important images should include descriptive alt text. Decorative images should be marked properly so screen readers can ignore them. - Test keyboard navigation.
Users must be able to navigate your site using only a keyboard. Try tabbing through your homepage and key pages. Is the focus clearly visible? - Evaluate color contrast.
Low-contrast text may look subtle but can be unreadable for many users. Free tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker make this easy to verify. - Adopt a “review before publish” mindset.
Accessibility often slips when speed wins. A brief review before content goes live prevents major clean-up later.
Accessibility compliance under Title II is not optional. But it also doesn’t require perfection overnight. Schools that approach accessibility as an ongoing practice rather than a last-minute project will find the transition far smoother.
Let Rudder Digital help you, give us a call today!
Sources
- U.S. Department of Justice — ADA Title II Web Accessibility Rule (2024)
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA — W3C
- Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II — 42 U.S.C. §12131–12165
