Digital Accessibility for Municipalities and School Districts

Municipalities and school districts face unique challenges when addressing digital accessibility under ADA Title II. These organizations often operate with limited budgets, legacy systems, and decentralized content ownership.

This page outlines common challenges and planning considerations.

Unique Constraints

Public entities frequently manage:

• Older websites and CMS platforms

• Large volumes of PDFs

• Multiple departments publishing content

• External vendors with varying accessibility practices

High-Risk Content Areas

Common accessibility risks include:

• Board agendas and meeting minutes

• Enrollment and registration forms

• Emergency announcements

• Public notices

• Instructional materials

Vendor and Third-Party Content

Public entities often rely on:

• CMS vendors

• Payment portals

• Scheduling tools

• Learning management systems

Accessibility responsibility remains with the public entity, even when vendors are involved.

Practical Prioritization

Rather than attempting to fix everything at once, effective programs:

• Focus on public-facing services

• Address frequently accessed content

• Establish remediation standards

• Incorporate accessibility into procurement

Building Sustainable Accessibility

Long-term accessibility requires:

• Clear ownership

• Documented processes

• Training for content creators

• Periodic review and testing