Ensuring Accessibility in Education and CAST's Summer Course Bundles

by Christine Fox, Vice President of Operations, CAST

In April 2024, the United States Department of Justice issued a final rule requiring state and local governmental entities — including early childhood, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions — to ensure web- or mobile app-based digital learning resources are appropriate for and usable by students with disabilities. This final rule details the technical requirements (WCAG 2.1 Level AA) these materials must conform to and sets an implementation period (by 2026 or 2027), depending upon population determinants.

What Does This Mean for K12 Schools?

This ruling builds on long-standing accessibility assumptions embedded within civil rights, special education, and copyright law. These statutes are designed to guarantee students with disabilities can acquire the same information, participate in the same activities, and enjoy the same opportunities as other students. It also requires schools to ensure students with disabilities can access web-based and mobile app-delivered information with substantially equivalent ease of use as students without disabilities. Hence, POUR: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust, the four principles of WCAG that define accessible experiences.

What Materials Are Covered?

These regulations cover any web or app-based medium for information exchange that could impact student opportunities. For curriculum materials, this includes all web-based content management (CMS) or delivery systems, all third-party instructional content that may be embedded in a CMS; commercial and open educational or teacher-developed resources that may be delivered online or via an app; and all online assessments. Also included are: any school/parent communication systems and resources, course registration and online grading utilities and social media posts.

Are There Exceptions?

Yes. There are five specific categories of web- or app-based materials that, under certain circumstances, need not conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility. These include:

• Archived material 

• Legacy electronic documents 

• Third-party material not under the control of the public entity 

• Material containing personally identifying information 

• Preexisting social media posts 

However, despite these exceptions, material in any of these categories is required to be provided in an accessible format if updated after the rule goes into effect or upon request.

Where to Begin? 

Accessibility has served as the foundation of CAST’s UDL framework. Central to addressing the needs of students with disabilities.  Schools and districts in this country have made significant investments in both informational and instructional technologies that fall within the new accessibility regulations. Some leaders have established protocols and procedures for ensuring accessible materials and practices are already in place. Proactive strategies establishing procurement practices that require accessibility from the start is far more economical and accurate than attempting to retrofit digital materials on an ad hoc basis. 

CAST's Summer PD Course: Introduction to Designing for Accessibility

To support administrators and educators in understanding these new requirements, CAST offers a six-week course designed to empower PreK-12 educators to understand accessibility requirements and to create accessible educational materials. This course covers foundational concepts of accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), skills to assess and ensure digital learning materials comply with accessibility standards, and strategies for creating and delivering accessible digital content. The course is available in three formats: self-directed, instructor-led or via in-person workshops, making it flexible for various learning preferences and schedules.

By investing in such professional development opportunities, educators can better prepare to meet the legal mandates and ensure all students have equitable access to educational resources.

For more information, explore the accessibility resources and consider enrolling in CAST’s summer PD course to stay ahead in creating inclusive and accessible learning environments. Check out discounted bundles for your school or district.