Accessibility is for everyone!

Keeping up with ADA updates isn’t just about compliance.

By 2027, all public schools’ websites, apps, and digital instructional content

must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.

The updated rule shifts away from “accommodate on request” toward proactive accessibility. That means your online lessons, digital handouts, interactive tools, and even school social media posts should be accessible from the start.

Accessibility is about ensuring every student can fully access learning in today’s digital classrooms.

Consider these when designing your next unit!

A bowl of cereal with milk and sliced strawberries sits on a wooden table. Surrounding it are a metal spoon on the left, a pair of wooden chopsticks above, a green plastic drinking straw below, and a red power drill fitted with a whisk attachment on the right.

Provide multiple ways to access content

Whenever possible, offer text, audio, visuals, captions, and transcripts, and make sure resources work well with screen readers and keyboard navigation. By designing with options from the start, you remove barriers for students with disabilities, support different learning preferences, and ensure every learner has an equitable opportunity to participate and succeed.

Want to go deeper on how? Explore CAST’s Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines to learn practical ways to offer multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression in your teaching content.

A medium close-up of Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) from the TV show Parks and Recreation. He has a stern, deadpan expression with furrowed brows and a prominent mustache. Despite his serious face, the closed captioning at the bottom of the screen reads, "- [laughs]," creating a humorous irony.

Captions matter!

Captions and alt text are essential for accessible instruction. Closed captioning helps students who are Deaf or hard of hearing, learning in noisy spaces, or working in another language fully access your videos. Alt text gives screen reader users access to important images and graphics. When you consistently add captions and alt text, you remove barriers and make your content clearer and more inclusive for all learners.

Want help writing alt text quickly? Many tools now use AI to suggest alt text for images, which can save time and make it easier to build accessible materials. Or simply upload the image to your favorite chatbot (my favorite is Gemini) and ask it to write alt text for your grade level of students!

A fallen black metal signpost lies flat across a tan concrete sidewalk next to a paved street. The post has two signs attached: a large white rectangular "ONE WAY" sign with a black arrow pointing left, and a smaller white rectangular sign with red text that says "NO PARKING ANY TIME" with a red arrow pointing left. The signs are resting on the ground, and the base of the pole appears to have been sheared off or removed from its mounting point in the concrete.

Structure resources clearly

Just because "it's all there" doesn't mean that someone can understand what it says.

Structure resources clearly so students can find, follow, and return to what they need. Use descriptive headings, short sections, and consistent layouts across slides, documents, and where you post your content. Write link text that says where it goes (e.g., “Read the lab directions” instead of “click here”), and avoid walls of text by using lists and white space. Clear structure reduces cognitive load, supports students who use screen readers or need more processing time, and helps every learner stay oriented and engaged.

Alt text: “Banner graphic reading ‘Resource of the Week’ on a dark blue background, with an illustration of a webpage on the left and stacked cards or resources on the right.”

Yes, Wayground is Quizizz, and here are some jewels!

Looking for fresh, high-quality materials to engage your students? Check out the latest curated collection of Top Wayground Resources, organized by subject and topic to make lesson planning a breeze. Whether you are looking for interactive PhET simulations for Science, Desmos activities for Math, or elementary-specific subject materials, there is something for every grade level.

Alt text: “Banner graphic with the text ‘EDTECH-ISH’ and the tagline ‘Not exactly education, but it’s close!’ on a dark blue background, with a cursor icon on the left and a stylized accessibility icon on the right.”

No need for the "Where is that setting?" when making posters!

Docuslice is a fantastic "tiled printing" (or "block poster") tool. Essentially, it allows you to take any standard image or PDF and "slice" it into multiple pages that you can print on a regular school printer. Once printed, you simply tape the pages together to create a massive poster or banner.