Digital Accessibility Newsletter
A federal deadline is coming. Here's what it means for you.
This newsletter will be sent periodically to all SPPS staff. Each issue is short and focuses on one practical accessibility skill you can start using right away to meet the April 2027 deadline.
What is the April 2027 deadline?
On April 26, 2027, a federal rule takes effect requiring all government entities — including school districts — to ensure their digital content meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards. WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. These are the internationally recognized standards for making digital content usable by people of all abilities.
This rule applies to SPPS. It applies to content our staff create, share and publish — on websites, in documents, in emails, on social media, and in the tools we use to communicate with students and families.
What content does this apply to?
If SPPS creates, directs, or shares it — it needs to be accessible. That includes websites, documents, emails, social media, videos, forms, and the platforms we use to communicate with families. The important thing to know is that this applies to everyone — not just web editors or technology staff.
Required training for all staff coming soon
All SPPS staff will complete a required digital accessibility training in PeopleSoft this fall.
The training video will walk you through what accessibility means for your role, what the standards require, and what you are responsible for.
This newsletter series will supplement the training throughout the year, giving you practical skills and reminders leading up to April so the habits stick and become part of your daily work.
Your first habit: Alt text on every image
Every meaningful image you publish needs alt text. Alt text is a short written description attached to an image that screen readers read aloud to users who can't see the image.
Good alt text describes what the image means, not just what it looks like. For a photo of students working on a science project: "Three students observe a plant growing in a jar during a science class at Maxfield Elementary." For a headshot: "Maria Gonzalez, 4th grade teacher."
Decorative images — background textures, design elements with no meaning — should have an empty alt field, not a description.
Where to add it: Google Docs and Slides (right-click the image → Alt text), Finalsite Composer (alt text field when you insert or edit an image), Facebook and Instagram (advanced settings before posting), Microsoft Word (right-click → Edit Alt Text).
It takes less than 30 seconds to add alt text to an image. Start doing it on everything you publish from today forward.
Helpful Resources
Questions?
Please fill out the Support Request for Communications Tools form if you have questions or need support.