This article appeared as "Improving Web Accessibility” in the Summer 2026 issue of Independent School.
A school’s website is its front door—often the first and most frequent point of contact for students, families, alumni, donors, employees, and prospective families. It’s an essential tool for sharing programs, policies, events, and critical information, and it’s important to ensure that this experience is accessible to all in the school community. It’s both a legal obligation and a reflection of a school’s commitment to inclusion.
Independent schools are generally subject to Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires places of public accommodation, including school websites, to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Website accessibility continues to be an evolving area of risk for independent schools. Schools, however, do not need to wait for a demand letter or complaint to take meaningful action; best practices offer a starting point for improving website accessibility.
Start with recognized accessibility standards. Schools should align their websites with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, widely recognized by courts and regulators as the benchmark for digital accessibility. These standards focus on making content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for users who rely on assistive technologies, such as screen readers or keyboard navigation.
Build accessibility into everyday practices. Accessibility is not a one-time website overhaul. Schools should ensure that ongoing content, such as photos, videos, PDFs, and event postings, is created with accessibility in mind, using alternative text for images, captions, logical heading structures, and readable color combinations.
Assess vendors and third-party tools. Many school websites rely on third-party platforms for admissions, payments, or learning management. Schools should discuss accessibility with vendors and get written assurance in contracts that products comply with WCAG standards. Vendor oversight is a recurring issue in digital accessibility enforcement actions.
Create internal accountability. Designating a point person or small team to manage accessibility efforts can improve responsiveness, while publishing an accessibility statement with contact information allows users to report barriers and signals good-faith compliance. Together, these steps reduce legal risk and help ensure that the school is accessible to all. In an evolving enforcement landscape, proactive attention to a school’s website is an essential responsibility of school leadership.
Go Deeper
Check out the NAIS Legal Advisory: Digital Accessibility for Independent Schools.