Accessibility Resources

For ADA* compliance, all videos on all public-facing District or school websites must be closed captioned. YouTube is the recommended repository for videos that will be embedded into a SchoolMessenger web page. Each school has a YouTube channel that can be used to store their videos. Questions relating to a school’s YouTube channel should be directed to Carla Georgiades.

Current VodCast videos that are not closed captioned can be migrated to YouTube & then closed captioned. For assistance with that, submit a Service Request in eSupport. In the eSupport Service Category, select the “Web Content Management System” category under the “Web and Collaboration” heading.

*ADA = the Americans with Disabilities Act

Web Accessibility Defined (Wikipedia)

Web accessibility refers to the inclusive practice of removing barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to websites, by people with disabilities. When sites are correctly designed, developed and edited, all users have equal access to information and functionality.

For example, when a site is coded with semantically meaningful HTML, with textual equivalents provided for images and with links named meaningfully, this helps blind users using text-to-speech software and/or text-to-Braille hardware. When text and images are large and/or enlargeable, it is easier for users with poor sight to read and understand the content. When links are underlined (or otherwise differentiated) as well as colored, this ensures that color blind users will be able to notice them. When clickable links and areas are large, this helps users who cannot control a mouse with precision. When pages are coded so that users can navigate by means of the keyboard alone, or a single switch access device alone, this helps users who cannot use a mouse or even a standard keyboard. When videos are closed captioned or a sign language version is available, deaf and hard-of-hearing users can understand the video. When flashing effects are avoided or made optional, users prone to seizures caused by these effects are not put at risk. And when content is written in plain language and illustrated with instructional diagrams and animations, users with dyslexia and learning difficulties are better able to understand the content. When sites are correctly built and maintained, all of these users can be accommodated without decreasing the usability of the site for non-disabled users.