Educational Technology (EdTech) and Accessibility Laws

Educational Technology (EdTech) and Accessibility Laws

Introduction

As educational technology (EdTech) continues to revolutionize the way we teach and learn, accessibility has become more than just a “nice to have” — it's a fundamental requirement. Students of all abilities should have equal access to digital educational resources, and for institutions, this means aligning their platforms with modern accessibility standards and best practices.

In today’s digital-first learning environments, improving accessibility is not only a legal and ethical responsibility but also a strategic move that enables inclusiveness, supports student success, and increases engagement. This is where digital accessibility laws intersect directly with EdTech platforms — and where tools like allyWay step in to help.

This article explores the relationship between educational technology and accessibility laws, the key legal standards institutions should be aware of, and how EdTech developers, LMS providers, and educational institutions can reduce accessibility barriers.

Understanding Accessibility in EdTech

Educational Technology, or EdTech, refers to the use of digital tools and platforms to enhance learning, teaching, and administration. Common examples include:

• Learning Management Systems (LMS)
• Online testing platforms
• Educational apps
• Digital textbooks
• Virtual classrooms and conferencing tools

These technologies offer immense benefits, such as flexible learning schedules, interactive content, and access to vast online resources. However, without accessibility measures in place, students with disabilities — including visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor impairments — may face significant challenges.

That’s where accessibility standards and tools designed to improve digital inclusivity come into play.

Core Accessibility Laws That Impact EdTech

Navigating digital accessibility requirements can be complex, especially when dealing with multiple jurisdictions. Below are the key laws and regulations you need to understand.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The ADA is a civil rights law in the United States that prohibits discrimination based on disability. Originally focused on physical spaces, its interpretation has expanded to include digital environments, particularly under Title II (public entities) and Title III (places of public accommodation, like private schools or educational services).

Educational platforms used by public schools, universities, and libraries must provide reasonable accommodations and ensure digital content is accessible.

Key considerations:

• Institutions may be held legally responsible for inaccessible EdTech tools used in their courses.
• Lawsuits concerning online educational content and tools are on the rise.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Section 508 applies to federal agencies and any organization receiving federal funding. It requires that all electronic and information technologies be accessible to people with disabilities.

Many higher education institutions fall under this umbrella due to federal grants or assistance.

Section 508 aligns with WCAG 2.0 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) Level AA, making WCAG a practical standard to meet.

WCAG – Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

Developed by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium), WCAG sets global standards for web accessibility. WCAG 2.1 and now 2.2 provide actionable criteria across four key principles:

• Perceivable: Content must be presented in ways that users can perceive (e.g., alt-text for images, readable fonts).
• Operable: The interface must work with a keyboard and assistive technologies.
• Understandable: Content should be clear and predictable.
• Robust: Compatible with current and future technologies.

Following WCAG helps support legal and ethical accessibility efforts, even where specific laws do not yet apply.

EN 301 549 & The European Accessibility Act (EAA)

In Europe, the EN 301 549 standard establishes accessibility requirements for ICT products and services, including websites and applications in the public sector.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA), enforced in June 2025, will extend requirements to private companies, including EdTech vendors. Expect requirements to align closely with WCAG 2.1 AA, similar to Section 508.

EdTech companies operating in the EU or offering services to European institutions must take the EAA seriously to prepare for future compliance expectations.

Accessibility Laws in Canada, Australia, and Beyond

Countries like Canada (Accessible Canada Act), Australia (Disability Discrimination Act), and others also enforce accessibility standards, typically based on WCAG.

Understanding global accessibility standards is crucial for any EdTech business aiming for international expansion.

Digital Accessibility: A Necessity in Modern Education

Why Accessibility in Education Matters

1. Equity in Education: All learners, regardless of their cognitive or physical abilities, deserve access to educational content.
2. Legal Risk Management: Institutions using inaccessible tools risk costly litigation.
3. Brand Reputation: Accessibility demonstrates commitment to inclusion and social responsibility.
4. Funding Requirements: Accessibility can be tied to eligibility for government grants or support.

** Examples of accessibility challenges in EdTech platforms: **

• PDF coursepacks that screen readers can't interpret
• Video lectures without captions
• Interactive math problems that are not keyboard navigable
• Drag-and-drop quizzes inaccessible to motor-impaired learners

allyWay: Accessibility Support for Modern EdTech

When your EdTech platform serves thousands of users across diverse abilities, manual testing just isn’t scalable. This is where allyWay offers powerful support.

allyWay is an intelligent, business-friendly accessibility platform that helps reduce barriers for users, enhance your accessibility posture, and streamline improvement workflows.

allyWay helps institutions and EdTech providers:

✓ Analyze websites and apps with AI-powered accessibility checks
✓ Offer 5 distinct profiles (for visual, cognitive, and motor accessibility needs)
✓ Improve experiences for users with disabilities using over 30 accessibility settings
✓ Automatically activate in over 35 languages
✓ Enhance keyboard navigation, text readability, and screen reader compatibility
✓ Support alignment with global accessibility standards like WCAG, EN 301 549, and ADA

It’s a scalable and time-saving tool that works hand-in-hand with your broader accessibility strategy.

Practical Ways to Improve Accessibility in EdTech

Accessibility is not a one-off task. It's an ongoing journey that includes design, development, auditing, and user feedback. Below are practical steps for improving your organization's accessibility maturity.

Step 1: Follow WCAG 2.1 Guidelines

Make accessibility part of your development pipeline:

• Use semantic HTML and ARIA labels
• Ensure color contrast meets requirements
• Make content keyboard-navigable
• Provide captions and transcripts for media
• Ensure forms and quizzes have clear labels and accessible error handling

Step 2: Choose Accessible Platforms and Tools

• Vet third-party EdTech tools for WCAG compliance
• Choose LMS platforms with documented accessibility features
• Use accessibility support tools like allyWay to optimize your web properties

Step 3: Involve People With Disabilities

• Conduct usability testing with real users of assistive technologies
• Include individuals with disabilities in beta testing
• Collect feedback to improve future versions

Step 4: Conduct Regular Accessibility Audits

Manual and automated audits are crucial:

• Test different assistive technologies (screen readers, magnifiers, switches)
• Use platforms like allyWay for AI-powered accessibility audits
• Maintain an accessibility statement outlining your approach

Step 5: Educate Your Team

Accessibility literacy needs to span the organization:

• Train faculty on accessible content creation
• Offer developers guidance on ARIA roles and keyboard support
• Unify your marketing, design, and IT teams under an inclusive strategy

Comparison: Manual Remediation vs. allyWay Assistance

AllyWay isn't a magic wand, but it significantly accelerates accessibility improvements and lowers the barrier to inclusive design—especially for EdTech teams with limited resources.

Accessibility Features Table: allyWay

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the importance of accessibility in educational technology?

Accessibility ensures that all learners, including those with disabilities, can fully access and benefit from digital educational content. It's essential for inclusion, equal opportunity, and legal compliance.

Does using allyWay guarantee legal compliance?

No. allyWay does not guarantee legal compliance. However, it significantly supports accessibility efforts by providing tools to enhance user experience, conduct audits, and reduce digital barriers.

Is WCAG a law?

WCAG itself is not a law, but many digital accessibility laws (such as Section 508, EAA, and others) reference WCAG guidelines as the standard for compliance.

How can EdTech platforms start improving accessibility?

1. Conduct an audit using a tool like allyWay
2. Follow WCAG 2.1 Level