“Education and web accessibility go hand in hand — you cannot provide a proper education to all students without guaranteeing that all students can make full use of appropriate websites and web content.”
From: Bureau of Internet Accessibility
We're here to help you solve the pitfalls mentioned below and much more!
Web Accessibility Classes Registration
NOTE: Class dates & times are subject to change.
In the challenging educational times brought on by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus), more schools are turning to online instruction and web resources to share information. Everyone who creates web content should know that online information MUST be compliant with several federal laws (see video below). Various 'places of public accommodation' such as websites, online classes and resources, online documents, etc. that are non-compliant run the risk of receiving complaints and/or lawsuits.
A Few Common School Website Accessibility Pitfalls include:
- Not enough contrast for content to be seen by those who are visually impaired or colorblind
- Cannot navigate through site using only tab and arrow keys (keyboard only navigation)
- When navigating with the tab key, the selection doesn’t change colors to alert user of location
- Not all images have alternative text
- PDF files cannot be read by a screen reader
- Online form fields are not properly labeled, don’t provide feedback
- Videos (including YouTube videos) do not have accurate transcripts and closed-captioning
OCR Web Accessibility Video Series
Digital Accessibility Resources from the U.S. Department of Education
and the ADA National Network: Information, Guidance, & Training on
Americans with Disabilities Act
This 20-part video series is geared towards the education community, but helpful to all users of technology. This series offers practical “how to” information to assist with compliance such as how people with disabilities use technology, applicable Federal laws, and how to identify, address, or avoid many technological barriers that interfere with the ability of parents and students with disabilities fully to participate in educational opportunities.
Please help us by sharing the video series with your staff and colleagues throughout your institution and the educational community. We thank you for your ongoing commitment to ensuring your online communications are accessible to everyone. And don’t forget: we are available for ongoing support; just reach out by email to OCRWebAccessTA@ed.gov.
The Region 10 Web Team is ready to assist you by providing web accessibility webinars and classes* on the following topics:
Introduction to
Web Accessibility
The OCR Complaint
Process
MS Word, Excel & PowerPoint Remediation
Google Docs, Sheets & Slides Remediation
Videos & Transcript
Correction
Google Sites &
Forms Remediation
Adobe Acrobat DC Pro PDF Remediation
Accessibility Tools, Checkers & Vendor Demos
Classes can be combined based on your needs!
Ask about low cost Zoom webinar options based on instructor availability and minimum attendance numbers. Web accessibility consultations are also available upon request for a nominal fee. In-person classes are now being presented again in the Region 10 conference center.
*Classes are open to everyone but discounts are available to
Region 10 schools and Texas ESCs.
Contact Shayne Warner for details on classes and consulting.
The Region 10 Technology Services packages include reduced-rate web accessibility services.
Details about discounts and video demonstrations from Region 10 vendors for PDF and Google Suite remediation as well as full website accessibility monitoring can be found on the Vendors Tab.
Web Accessibility Specialist
Web Administrator