Digital Accessibility Resources

Kent ISD is required to comply with expanded federal regulations under ADA Title II. These updates explicitly apply accessibility standards to digital and electronic content. All state and local government entities must meet the WCAG 2.1 AA technical standard.

Kent ISD’s compliance deadline is April 24, 2026 because we serve a population of over 50,000. Many of our districts serve smaller populations, so their deadline isn't until April 24, 2027.

Since the guidelines apply to all state and local government entities, including Kent ISD, every staff member who creates electronic content is responsible for upholding these standards. In addition, any third-party digital platforms, tools or software also need to be accessible if students, families or staff are required to use those tools. Kent ISD has been reaching out to many of our vendors to receive their Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACR), so if you have a question, contact Bob Brenzing in the Communications Department.

Nearly all digital content must meet accessibility standards, including:

• Websites
• Emails and newsletters
• Social media content
• Videos, audio, and images
• Documents and forms (Word, Google Docs, PDFs)
• Learning Management Systems (LMS)
• Instructional materials shared electronically
• Third-party platforms, tools, and apps

Accessibility applies to both internal and public-facing content. There are limited exceptions. Examples include: 

• One-to-one private communications
• Supplemental materials or resources that students or parents are not required to access
• Materials used within a team or workgroup when there is a clear understanding that accessibility features are not needed

When in doubt, content should be made accessible to ensure equal access for all users.

There are many tools built into the products that are already installed on our computers. 

In the Microsoft suite of products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook), click the Review tab and then Check Accessibility for information on your content.

In the Google suite of products (Docs, Slides, Sheets), click Tools, then Accessibility, then Turn on screen reader support.

Also, our computers have been prepared to allow the Grackle Docs Extension in Google to automatically check your document against accessibility standards and provides step-by-step guidance to ensure compliance and clarity for users. If you need assistance in loading the extension to your computer, contact the IT Help Desk.

Hopefully this won't cause too much disruption or create barriers as you create instructional materials. Most of the tools needed to make materials accessible are included in the platforms you already use. It is just a matter of using those tools fully to: 

• Use accessible document formatting
• Add alternative text to images
• Ensure readable fonts and adequate color contrast
• Use properly structured headings
• Provide accessible PDFs and multimedia content

Once you make your content accessible or create a new accessible template, you'll become more comfortable and more confident in making your content.

New developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be of some assistance in creating and checking for accessibility in materials. However, there are a few issues you should be aware of:

• Always make sure you are not uploading any sensitive or private information into an AI tool. (This goes for any reason you may upload information to AI, not just for accessibility.)
• While AI may make your document look accessible, it may not add the actual coding to titles, headings and lists. You'll still want to run your content through an accessibility checker.
• There may be other things AI doesn't fix in your materials, depending on the AI tool. A best practice is to ask the AI afterwards something like, "What didn't you change in my materials?" 
• AI will continue to get better at this, but having an understanding of how accessibility works is best.

In a word, yes, but there are priorities that you can apply:

• Materials already created do not have to be re-created. However, if the materials are edited or revised in any way, then they will need to meet the accessibility requirements.
• Update high-impact or frequently used content first.
• Next focus on content that will be shown to the general public or unknown audiences.

Just keep demonstrating intentional progress towards accessibility for all.

Third-party vendor products are included in accessibility requirements. Vendors are being asked to provide VPATs (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates) or other documentation demonstrating compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

Kent ISD is documenting vendor outreach and maintaining records as part of compliance efforts. If you have a question whether or not a vendor has submitted a VPAT to Kent ISD, ask Bob Brenzing in the Communications Department.

Yes, training will be embedded throughout the year, including in-person sessions, recorded modules, tip sheets and videos, accessibility checkers and ongoing guidance from the Kent ISD ADA Accessibility Workgroup. 

Technology will continue to evolve and we'll continue to develop resources and tips on the latest innovations and requirements.