As districts prepare for new federal digital accessibility requirements, a new report from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) and Sogolytics offers timely insight into how school systems are progressing and the steps they can take to meet fast-approaching compliance deadlines.

From Compliance to Culture: Advancing Digital Accessibility in K-12 Education provides a comprehensive look at national survey data, the updated requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and real-world district examples to help school systems strengthen readiness and build sustainable accessibility practices.

Key takeaways include:

• Most districts aren’t yet prepared for new federal requirements. Only 14% of respondents report their districts have completed or nearly completed the ADA Title II digital accessibility updates required by 2026-27.
• Digital accessibility isn’t consistently prioritized. Just 46% say digital accessibility ranks as a high priority in their district.
• Awareness and training gaps are widespread. A striking 97% of respondents identify lack of staff awareness as a barrier, and 94% say additional training is needed.
• Vendor accessibility reviews are often missing. Nearly half of districts (49%) conduct no formal review of vendor accessibility claims during procurement or contract renewal, leaving schools vulnerable as requirements take effect.

Survey findings show that digital accessibility work has fallen disproportionately on school communication teams, with 82% of districts assigning them primary responsibility, even though ADA Title II requirements extend far beyond public-facing communications.

Districts making the most progress have shifted to a shared-responsibility model that brings together communications, IT, curriculum, HR, procurement and administration. With strong leadership support, cross-functional teams, clear policies and more rigorous procurement practices, these districts are embedding accessibility into everyday operations and better meeting the needs of their communities.

Beyond the Data: What the Report Offers

Alongside national findings, the report provides practical, actionable guidance to help districts build long-term systems that support accessibility, including:

• A plain-language overview of the updated ADA Title II digital accessibility requirements, including key compliance timelines for districts.
• Research-informed, high-impact actions from cross-department governance models to comprehensive staff training plans.
• Real-world district examples that illustrate how collaboration, transparency and continuous improvement drive meaningful progress.
• A vendor case study from Sogolytics, showing how strong partnerships between school systems and vendors, particularly during the procurement process, can accelerate accessibility efforts when responsibilities are shared.
• A curated set of resources to support continued learning, deepen understanding of digital accessibility requirements and guide teams as they strengthen their practices over time.

Access Report