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To: Superintendents, Charter School Leaders, Civil Rights Coordinators, K-12 Public Information Officers
From: Oregon Department of Education Civil Rights Unit
Date: March 10, 2026
Re: New Rule on Web Accessibility & Compliance Dates for School Districts
Dear Superintendents and Charter School Leaders,
On April 24, 2024, the Federal Register published the Department of Justice’s final rule updating its regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The final rule has specific requirements about how to ensure that web content and mobile applications (apps) are accessible to people with disabilities. The final rule applies to all public education entities, with requirements for compliance by April 2026 or April 2027 depending on the size of the district’s surrounding community.
The federal Department of Justice updated its regulations for Title II of the ADA to include specific requirements about making web content and mobile apps accessible to people with disabilities. Title II of the ADA applies to state and local governments which includes public school districts, public charter schools, and education service districts (ESDs), among other entities.
To meet the new requirements, districts must follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Version 2.1, Level AA. These rules ensure information can be seen, understood, and used by everyone, including those who rely on assistive technology.
Compliance dates for school districts are determined by school district size and type.
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April 24, 2026, for districts and ESDs in a region of 50,000 people of more.
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April 26, 2027, for districts and ESDs in a region of 49,999 people or less.
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For all city school districts: use the population of the city.
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For all county school districts: use the population of the county.
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For all independent school districts: use the population estimates in the most recent Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates.
Helpful resources for school districts, public charter schools, and ESDs on the new rule:
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
What is web content? Web content is defined as the information and experiences available on the web, like text, images, sound, videos, and documents.
What is a mobile app? Mobile apps are software applications that are downloaded and designed to run on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.
Does the rule apply if we use a vendor for our websites and apps? Yes, it applies when districts, schools, and ESDs have an arrangement with someone else who provides or makes available web or mobile app content for them.
Does the rule apply to our social media posts? Yes, however, most social media posts made before the compliance date do not need to be altered or edited to meet the new standard.
What are some examples of what web and mobile app accessibility may include? Examples of accessibility requirements include, but are not limited to:
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Logical reading order for individuals who use keyboard navigation and screen readers.
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Alternative text for individuals who cannot see photographs or graphic images.
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High contrast and ability to magnify a screen without losing content.
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Accurate closed captioning for video content.
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Appropriately formatted headings, links, tables, and more.
Role of the ADA/Title II Coordinator
The ADA/Title II Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the efforts of the school district to comply with Title II of the ADA and investigating any complaints that the district has violated Title II. The name, office address, email, and telephone number of the ADA/Title II Coordinator should be provided to interested persons and included in the district’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.
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