Tip #1: The Why – Law & Equity
Tip #1: The Why – Law & Equity
Hello!
Welcome to our new Accessibility Tips & Tricks series! Over the next few months, we’ll share short, practical guidance to help ensure our digital resources are accessible for all learners and compliant with ADA and WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
This week, we’re starting with “The Why.”
Digital accessibility isn’t optional, it’s the law.
Federal regulations, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), require that all digital materials—documents, videos, websites, and learning platforms—meet accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.1 AA. These guidelines define how to make digital content usable for people with visual, auditory, physical, and cognitive disabilities.
Our goal isn’t just to meet these requirements but to model best practices that reflect our shared value of inclusion. You’ll find more details, examples, and legal references at a11y.esu10.org/the-why.
Beyond compliance, accessibility is about equity and empathy. It’s about ensuring every learner, regardless of ability, has a fair opportunity to access, engage with, and express their learning.
Our special education staff model this every day through individualized supports and creative problem-solving. Likewise, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) encourages us to design resources that anticipate learner variability from the start, reducing barriers for all.
When we design with accessibility in mind, we’re saying to every student: “You belong here.”
As understood.org reminds us, accessibility opens doors not just for those who need it most but for everyone who benefits from clarity, flexibility, and choice.
Here’s more on how you can stay engaged in the process:
Review the Accessibility Hub: Explore tools, resources, and examples at a11y.esu10.org.
Watch for More Tips: We’ll send a new accessibility topic each week.
Join an Upcoming Training: Check your department meetings for sessions on accessibility basics as well as Unit wide videos and training opportunities.
Join us during our Accessibility Office Hours: Need help or have questions? We’re here to support you!
Together, we can make digital learning more inclusive—one resource at a time.
Thank you for being part of this important work,
ESU 10 Accessibility Implementation and Planning Team