Breaking Barriers: The Impact of ADA's New Digital Accessibility Rules on Education
This week marks the 13th annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) which sets out to “get everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital access/inclusion and people with different disabilities.” (GAAD, 2024) Let’s take a moment to think about why digital accessibility in education really matters. We can use this as an opportunity to ensure that all learners, especially those with disabilities, have equitable access to educational technologies.
This year, GAAD coincides with a pivotal update from the U.S. Department of Justice concerning digital accessibility. A new rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that all state and local government services, including public education systems, adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA. (Check out this resource which offers an overview of the WCAG 2.1 AA Standards.) For us educators, this rule is a game changer. It delineates clear compliance standards for digital content and mobile applications used in our classrooms. Whether it’s online coursework, educational apps, or instructional videos, these resources must be fully accessible to all students, including those with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments.
What does this mean for our daily teaching practices?
We must ensure that digital materials—like texts and multimedia—are designed with features like alt text for images, keyboard navigation capabilities, and captioning for videos. These are not just legal requirements; they are best practices that enhance learning for everyone. The rule specifies compliance timelines based on the size of the entity, giving schools a structured timeframe to make necessary updates.
This is our call to action to audit and enhance our educational tools and platforms.
Let’s view these new ADA requirements not just as a statutory obligation but as an opportunity to foster an inclusive learning environment. By prioritizing accessibility, we not only support our students with disabilities but also enrich our educational practices, making learning more engaging and effective for every student. As we move forward together, let’s pledge to meet these standards, celebrating them as foundational to educational equity. Together, we can make our digital educational spaces accessible for all, paving the way for a more inclusive future in education.