ADA Compliance for Education Websites
School and university websites are the front door to digital learning. ADA compliance for education websites removes these barriers, helping institutions serve everyone fairly. Web accessibility for education websites also shows a real commitment to inclusion and protects schools from legal and reputational risks.
Why Accessibility Matters for Education Websites
Schools and colleges rely on their websites for nearly everything. Students check deadlines, turn in homework, apply for aid, and join online classes through the same digital spaces. When those websites are not accessible, some students simply cannot take part. Missing alt text, videos without captions, or menus that do not work with a keyboard can quietly block access to learning.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is responsible for making sure schools meet their legal duties under the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. These laws require equal access to programs and information for students with disabilities.
Following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2) is a good starting point for schools that want to meet these standards. Adding accessibility early in website planning improves communication and helps create a fair learning experience for all students.
Get an accessible website today!
All fields are required.
ADA Requirements for Education Websites
-
- Text alternatives (alt text) for all images and graphics
- Captions and transcripts for videos and audio lessons
- Keyboard navigation for all interactive elements and forms
- Accessible documents and downloadable materials (PDFs, syllabi, assignments)
- Proper color contrast and readable text for students with visual impairments
Our Digital Accessibility Services for
Education Websites
Accessible educational websites serve all students and protect your institution from compliance risk. We help schools and universities become fully accessible and remain that way in the long term with the following services supporting school website compliance:
Accessibility Audit
We conduct full audits for web accessibility of education websites with automated scans, as well as manual testing with assistive technologies. Each report includes clear findings, screenshots, and prioritized steps.
Document Remediation
We make academic PDFs, forms, and course content accessible for screen reader users. We add proper tagging, clear reading order, and accurate alternative text so that all students can access essential content independently.
Accessibility Repairs
Our specialists fix accessibility issues of your education website directly in your CMS. We fix form labelling, keyboard navigation, and interactive elements for better usability. We also maintain website's look and visual feel throughout.
Accessibility Trainings
We train educators, content managers, and web teams to create and maintain accessible websites. Training covers page design, document remediation, and the use of accessibility tools. We have both live instructed and pre-recorded trainings available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What laws require ADA compliance for education websites?
Educational institutions must follow the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), particularly Title II for public schools and Title III for private ones. Those receiving federal funding also need to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 508 for digital content.
What is an ADA-compliant school website?
An ADA-compliant school website is one that anyone can use, no matter their ability. Text can be read by screen readers, pages work from a keyboard, videos have captions, and documents open clearly for everyone. It is about giving each student and parent a fair way to reach the same information.
Are classroom materials and PDFs also required to be accessible?
Any file a teacher or department posts online, like a syllabus, registration form, or homework guide, needs to meet ADA and Section 504 standards. When those files are built correctly, students using assistive tools such as screen readers or magnifiers can follow along without needing help. This supports web accessibility for education.
How can schools test their website’s accessibility?
Schools can start by using a school website accessibility checker to catch simple issues, then schedule a manual accessibility audit with a service like Be Accessible. Human testers often find issues that software alone misses.
What are the most common school website accessibility issues?
Most schools see the same patterns. Images have no alt text, videos are missing captions, and PDFs are uploaded without any structure. Forms sometimes do not have proper labels, or the color choices make text hard to see. Small details like these can stop students with disabilities from finishing simple tasks online.
Contact Be Accessible today to transform your online store into an inclusive shopping experience.