The U.S. Department of Justice’s 2024 update to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires state and local educational agencies to ensure accessibility across all digital platforms, but few are on track to meeting that goal, according to recent findings from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA).
The report, From Compliance to Culture: Advancing Digital Accessibility in K-12 Education, details the ways in which education technology is transforming how teachers educate students and how districts operate and engage with their school communities.
From online textbooks and learning platforms to district websites and mobile apps, the expectation is that access will be expanded by leaps and bounds, but many of these tools also introduce barriers that exclude students, families, staff or community members who rely on accessible design to fully engage.
Addressing these issues will require a shared, organization-wide approach, rather than siloed efforts, the report states.
“Achieving true digital accessibility in our schools requires collaboration, not just within communications teams but across departments and with the vendors that provide our digital communication tools,” according to NSPRA Executive Director Barbara M. Hunter. “It must be a shared responsibility across every part of a school system, from IT and curriculum to procurement and vendor management.”
A survey of NSPRA members found that:
- Most districts aren’t yet prepared for new federal requirements. Just 14 percent of respondents reported their districts have completed or nearly completed the ADA Title II digital accessibility updates required by 2026–27.
- Digital accessibility isn’t consistently prioritized. Only 46 percent said digital accessibility ranks as a high priority in their district, but even then, efforts remain heavily website-focused, leaving other essential systems including student and parent portals, human resources platforms and instructional materials, largely overlooked.
- Awareness and training gaps are widespread. Nearly all — 97 percent of respondents — identified a lack of staff awareness as a barrier, and 94 percent suggested additional training is needed.
- Vendor accessibility reviews are often missing. Almost half of districts represented — 49 percent — don’t conduct a formal review of vendor accessibility claims during procurement or contract renewal, leaving schools vulnerable as requirements take effect.
- Digital accessibility work has largely fallen on communication teams, with 82 percent of districts assigning them primary responsibility, despite Title II requirements reaching far beyond public-facing communications.
On a positive note, the report found that districts embracing accessibility are making measurable progress.
“This report shows how school systems can move beyond compliance as a checkbox and build accessibility into the foundation of decision making. From reviewing vendor claims to embedding requirements in procurement and fostering ongoing partnerships, their industry expertise and examples show what’s possible when strategic collaborations create inclusive experiences for all students, families and staff,” Hunter concluded. “Together, we can ensure that accessibility isn’t just a requirement — it’s part of how we serve our communities every day.”
