BrightArc Online Education Services’ Post

On April 24, the Department of Justice updated Title II of the ADA to include Subpart H, which requires public colleges, universities, and state and local governments to make public websites and apps follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA for accessibility. Larger entities (50,000+ population) have two years to comply, while smaller entities have three years. Public universities need to start planning for compliance. Ensuring accessibility for all is not only a legal requirement but also a moral imperative. If you're wondering how your university is planning to meet this requirement, now is the time to ask. Let's work together to create a more inclusive digital world. #Accessibility #Inclusion #DigitalEquality

This research article explores common digital accessibility barriers relating to PDF files and Moodle course pages. Some of the common accessibility errors include a lack of alternative text on meaningful images, hard-to-read text, and redundant non-descriptive links. Please check out the full article for more information. #accessibility https://lnkd.in/g48xZadU

Did you know that website accessibility is now a requirement for K-12 schools under Colorado's HB21-1110? We’re breaking down what this means, sharing practical steps for compliance, and explaining why accessibility should be the standard in education across the United States. Read it here: https://hubs.ly/Q02XNfLM0 #WebsiteAccessibility #HB211110 #K12Education #InclusiveEducation

Making sure that websites are accessible for everyone can be a tall order, although it should not be. Not everyone is born with an impairment and for those who have a disability in later life, this may mean that your education needs to start again. It may even lead you to being in a different area of expertise than you were previously in, or needing to learn how to achieve the same results that you used to before you had a disability. Our latest blog, supporting HeX Productions #Education4All campaign, explores the accessibility of higher education websites, the need for inclusive learning environments, and the challenges faced by users of assistive technology accessing online learning courses: https://zurl.co/RiDa #A11y #Accessibility #DigitalAccessibility #Education #Inclusion #WebDesign #WebDevelopment #InclusiveDesign #Teaching #OnlineLearning #Courses

A great and insightful blog from the Accessibility Services team, who explore the need for accessible websites and inclusive learning environments in higher education, and the challenges faced by users of assistive technology when accessing online learning courses. #Education4All #Education #A11y #Accessibility #eLearning #OnlineLearning #HigherEducation #Education #InclusiveDesign #WebDesign #WebDevelopment #DisabilityInclusion #Developer

📢 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 📢 When Jacob, a 10th grader with vision impairment, signed up for an AP class, he faced frustrating digital hurdles. His experience isn't unique—many students with disabilities struggle with inaccessible educational materials. The U.S. Department of Justice's new rule for web and mobile accessibility is a game-changer. Updated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act now mandates specific technical standards for schools, ensuring digital materials are accessible to all students. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞: ▶ Equal access to digital content, regardless of orientation ▶Captions for live and prerecorded audio ▶Audio descriptions for prerecorded videos ▶Text alternatives for non-text content ▶Bold, visible colors Discover how eDynamic Learning fosters an inclusive environment for all students. 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞: https://lnkd.in/gU9Bu9dU #EdTech #DigitalEquity #Education #ADACompliance

Preparing Public Colleges for ADA Digital Accessibility Requirements   As public institutions gear up to comply with new ADA regulations, ensuring digital accessibility becomes paramount. The updated Title II rule mandates that all state and local governments, including public colleges, make their web content, mobile apps, and social media postings accessible for individuals with disabilities. This includes provisions for vision, hearing, cognitive, and manual dexterity disabilities. Mary Rice, associate professor of literacy at The University of New Mexico, recommends that school districts prepare for compliance by doing an inventory of their digital materials.   The deadline for compliance varies based on population size, with significant implications for educational institutions' digital landscapes. Public universities and K-12 districts must conduct comprehensive audits of their digital materials and collaborate closely with accessibility experts to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1, Level AA standards.   Discover how higher education institutions can navigate these new requirements and ensure inclusivity for all stakeholders. Read more in the article by Kara Arundel on Higher Ed Dive: https://lnkd.in/g2hWNYH7 W3C #ADACompliance #HigherEducation #WCAGStandards

Imagine navigating a digital classroom with limited visibility or struggling to engage with a lecture because you can’t hear the instructor. For many students with disabilities, this is a daily challenge. Prioritizing accessibility in education ensures that students of all abilities can actively participate and succeed in their studies. In our latest blog post, we highlight the importance of accessible design in education and provide practical steps for making online content accessible, along with tools and resource to help you achieve this. You can read the full blog here - https://lnkd.in/gMcAWWEK #Accessibility #Education #DigitalAccessibility

📢 Are EdTech Companies Ready for the Digital Accessibility Deadline? As the new guidelines for digital accessibility roll out, schools and edtech companies face a tight timeline to ensure their materials are compliant. With April 2026/2027 deadlines approaching, the push for accessible content is more crucial than ever. This move, mandated by the updated Title II of the ADA, aims to eliminate barriers for students with disabilities. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dHV4f7ur

We recently had a presentation on the importance of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) in eLearning from our Accessibility and Inclusion Specialist Neil Cole! Adhering to WCAG ensures compliance with laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and broadens audience reach, making educational opportunities accessible to all, including those with disabilities. This commitment not only enhances the learning experience for everyone through clearer content and innovative design but also upholds social responsibility by promoting equitable access to education! Thank you, Neil Cole, for keeping us informed and leading the way in accessibility and inclusion! 🌟 Image description: The image features a vibrant graphic design with abstract yellow and blue shapes. In the center, a photo of a young man wearing a striped red and white t-shirt and headphones shows him thoughtfully looking at a laptop. Text in the image reads "Why Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Matter in eLearning?" emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in digital education. #wcag #accessibilityandinclusion #teamappreciation #shoutout #inclusivelearning #eLearning #InstructionalDesign #LearningExperience #Accessibility #instructionaldesign #education #learning #knowledgenow #elearning #visualthinkers #learningdesign #accessiblelearning #inclusivelearning #innovativelearning #transformativelearning #teachers #transformative #accessibility #inclusion #equity #accessibilitymatters #inclusion #digitalequity