District Site

As a public school district, we are required to make our digital content accessible to everyone—including students, families, staff, and community members with disabilities. This applies to all emails, documents, assignments, and online updates you create and share.

Accessibility is not optional. Federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, require public schools to provide accessible digital content. Enforcement of these laws is increasing, and additional requirements are coming.

To meet these requirements, schools follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). WCAG provides clear standards for making digital content easier to read, navigate, and use—especially for individuals who rely on assistive technologies such as screen readers.

Most importantly, accessibility reflects who we are as a district. Creating accessible content supports inclusion, respect, and equal access for all learners.

WCAG stands for the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. It is an internationally recognized set of standards that explains how to make digital content accessible to people with disabilities, including individuals who use screen readers, keyboards, captions, or other assistive technologies. 

WCAG is built around four core principles, often remembered by the acronym POUR:

1. Perceivable

Content must be presented in ways users can see or hear.

  • Text alternatives (alt text) for images

  • Captions for videos

  • Sufficient color contrast

  • Content that can be resized or zoomed

2. Operable

Users must be able to navigate and interact with content.

  • Works with a keyboard (not just a mouse)

  • Clear links and buttons

  • No content that causes seizures or physical reactions

  • Enough time to read and complete tasks

3. Understandable

Content should be clear and easy to understand.

  • Simple, consistent language

  • Predictable navigation

  • Clear instructions and labels

  • Helpful error messages in forms

4. Robust

Content must work with current and future assistive technologies.

  • Compatible with screen readers and other tools

  • Proper use of headings and structure

  • Clean, well-structured digital content

Everything posted or shared digitally, including:

  • Emails and email attachments

  • ParentSquare posts

  • Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

  • Classroom assignments on platforms like Schoology

  • Website content and blog posts

  • Social media posts

  • Event flyers and newsletters

  • Forms and surveys

  • Videos, graphics, and PDFs

Note: Using an accessible platform does not automatically make your content accessible. 

WCAG Compliance Levels describe how closely digital content meets accessibility standards. WCAG includes three levels of conformance: A, AA, and AAA.

Level A — Minimum Accessibility

  • Addresses the most basic accessibility barriers

  • Provides limited access for users with disabilities

  • Often not sufficient on its own for public schools

Examples:

  • Images have alt text

  • Videos do not auto-play with sound

  • Content can be accessed with a keyboard

Level AA — Standard for Schools and Public Agencies*

  • Builds on Level A and addresses the most common accessibility needs

  • This is the level most required for K–12 public schools

  • Aligns with federal guidance and enforcement expectations

Examples:

  • Strong color contrast for text

  • Captions for pre-recorded videos

  • Clear headings and consistent navigation

  • Forms with labels and helpful error messages

Level AAA — Enhanced Accessibility

  • Highest level of accessibility

  • Not required for most public organizations

  • Can be difficult to achieve for all content

Examples:

  • Sign language interpretation for videos

  • Very high contrast ratios

  • Extended audio descriptions

 

As a public school district, we have a legal and ethical responsibility to make all digital content accessible to everyone—including students, families, staff, and community members with disabilities. This includes every email, newsletter, document, assignment, and all web-based content we create or share.

Accessibility is not optional; it is required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice released updated Title II ADA regulations that reinforce accessibility expectations for public entities. Based on factors such as district size and resources, school districts were assigned compliance timelines to allow time to update digital content and systems. Federal enforcement is increasing, and PVSD’s compliance date is April 26, 2027.