WCAG: What Educators Need to Know Laptop with someone typing on it

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) serve as the international standard for making digital content accessible to people with disabilities. In October 2023, WCAG 2.2 was released, building upon previous versions with new success criteria aimed at improving web accessibility for everyone, particularly individuals with disabilities.

A group of students working on laptops in a classroom.

As educators, we have a professional and ethical responsibility to ensure our digital teaching materials are accessible to all students. Over time, the classroom has increasingly moved online, whether through learning management systems, digital worksheets, or educational apps, making accessibility not just a nice-to-have, but a necessity for creating an inclusive learning environment.

This series will guide you through the key updates in WCAG 2.2, exploring their impact on your role as a teacher while providing practical strategies for implementation and highlighting the broader benefits of accessible education. It will also cover WCAG 2.1 AA standards, as compliance with these guidelines will be required in the near future.

WCAG 2.1 Accessibility Guidelines

WCAG 2.2 Quick Reference

MCIU Digital Accessibility Workgroup

Accessibility is not just a requirement; it’s a commitment to equity and inclusion. That’s why we’re inviting educators, administrators, and staff from across our member districts to join the Digital Accessibility Workgroup for 2025–2026.

This collaborative group meets on the second Tuesday of each month and serves as both a learning space and a support network. Each session includes:

- A focused mini-lesson on practical strategies for meeting WCAG 2.1 AA standards and Title II requirements.
- Dedicated time to troubleshoot real challenges, whether you’re designing resources, creating online learning materials, or ensuring documents are usable by everyone.
- Opportunities to share tools, templates, and success stories, so participants leave with ready-to-use ideas and proven strategies.

The workgroup is designed to be hands-on and supportive. You’re encouraged to bring a project you’re working on, a specific accessibility question, or simply your curiosity. No matter your starting point, you’ll leave each meeting with new knowledge and the backing of a community that is committed to designing digital content with all users in mind.

Join our Digital Accessibility Workgroup

WCAG 2.1 and Title II Compliance

WCAG 2.1 is not only considered best practice but is also directly tied to legal compliance under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Title II requires that public organizations, including schools and institutions of higher education, ensure their electronic materials are accessible to individuals with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has reinforced that web accessibility falls under Title II mandates, meaning schools must provide equal access to a full range of digital resources, including websites, learning management systems (LMS), and educational content.

Although WCAG 2.2 was officially released in October 2023 by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), Title II compliance is currently based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. The DOJ’s proposed rule for Title II compliance is expected to take full effect in April 2026, giving schools time to meet accessibility requirements, depending on the size of the institution.

To ensure fully accessible and legally compliant online learning environments, teachers and educational institutions should begin adopting WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards now, well ahead of the enforcement deadline. Taking proactive steps now will not only support students with disabilities but also improve the usability and effectiveness of digital learning for all students.

Quick Ways to Get Started

(You May Already Be Doing These!)

- Structure: Use proper headings, lists, and paragraph styles instead of relying solely on visual formatting.
- Alt Text for Images: Provide descriptive text for all images, charts, and diagrams to ensure accessibility.
- Readable Fonts: Use sans-serif fonts at an appropriate size (minimum 12pt) for better readability.
- Color Considerations: Ensure sufficient contrast and avoid using color alone to convey meaning.

A teacher sitting at a desk with a laptop.

Accessibility is no longer a choice—it‘s necessary in today‘s classrooms. As educators, we can create positive change and inclusive learning spaces where every learner can access and benefit equally from digital content. By learning and implementing WCAG 2.1 (or even better 2.2), we not only create an improved learning experience for students with disabilities, but also usability for all learners.

This is just the beginning of a series on digital accessibility. Future posts will explore practical strategies, tools, and best practices to help you seamlessly integrate accessibility into your teaching. Each installment will provide actionable tips you can implement to make online learning more inclusive for all students.