Build and Maintain an Accessible School Website
Finalsite provides easy-to-use tools and services to make building and maintaining an accessible website easy.
Our Holistic Approach to Website Accessibility
To us, website accessibility isn't just about laws and regulations — it is about doing the right thing. Our goal is to ensure that every one of your website visitors has the same great experience no matter what — which is why we're dedicated to ensuring your website is accessible from the ground up.
What makes Finalsite's approach different from our competitors is not only the passion we bring to our projects, but the knowledge, structure, and testing that goes into them as well. Our designers and developers are trained in layout, content, structural and navigational requirements of web accessibility, and craft our websites with a keen attention to detail. Every site goes through a formal Quality Assurance process to ensure we've met essential WCAG 2.0 requirements, and the in-house accessibility experts on our Support Team make sure that accessibility is maintained as your site develops and grows.
Your Website Is in Good Hands
Experienced Designers
Our team of designers are trained to ensure your site is accessible from the ground up (and still looks great).
Website Accessibility Committee
Our accessibility committee spans all departments, and brings together forward-thinking individuals who care about your district.
Dedicated Accessibility Specialist
When you work with Finalsite, you'll have a dedicated accessibility specialist to ensure your project is successful from start to finish.
Free Training & Resources
Our trained, in-house accessibility specialists provide ongoing training on web accessibility and compliance.
Accessibility-Friendly Functionality
Adding alt text, video captions, video transcripts, and structural elements is easy with Composer.
Ongoing, Knowledgable Support
Our friendly, completely in-house support team stays up-to-date with WCAG 2.0 requirements so that your site does, too.
Free Accessibility Summary and Analysis
We'll use AudioEye's trusted software to run a full accessibility audit of your website, and provide hard data on the number of accessibility errors present, and advice on how to fix them.
Finalsite & AudioEye
Accessibility Certification
The trusted certification illustrates your district's commitment to accessibility and lets visitors know you are continually striving to maintain accessibility.
OCR Mitigation
If you're already in a lawsuit with the OCR, AudioEye will provide the legal guidance and support to help you win.
Managed Service
Accessibility errors that cannot automatically be fixed will be manually fixed by one of AudioEye's Accessibility Engineers.
Help Desk Functionality
AudioEye is the only tool that provides a digital help desk, which allows website visitors to submit accessibility errors and/or concerns directly to AudioEye.
Ally Toolbar
The Ally toolbar provides screen reading technology and other tools to provide an optimized user experience for all visitors.
Want to see more? Request a Demo
AVON GROVE SCHOOL DISTRICT
"With an OCR complaint, even if you win, you lose. There's all types of associated fees with it. For Avon Grove, we wanted to avoid an OCR complaint at all costs — but we didn't have the time, resources, or formally-trained personnel to do so. Finalsite and AudioEye gave us an affordable, workable solution for accessibility that saves us time and money — and we don't have to do the heavy lifting."
Gary Mattei
Director of Technology
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
"AudioEye's technology-first approach to digital accessibility has proven effective from the very start and should serve as a trusted model for all school districts seeking to conform with ADA-related laws and striving to ensure the highest level of access and usability. When it comes to identifying issues of accessibility, the test results are reliable and accurate; when it comes to fixing issues of accessibility, the AudioEye remediation technology is cost-effective and the impact is immediate."
Michael Miller
Accessibility Coordinator
Resources for ADA Compliance and Website Accessibility
Blogs
![person typing on a laptop]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1561997317/finalsite/ksy5tmgvsb7q9q1spdmr/PDF.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1561997317/finalsite/ksy5tmgvsb7q9q1spdmr/PDF.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1561997317/finalsite/ksy5tmgvsb7q9q1spdmr/PDF.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1561997317/finalsite/ksy5tmgvsb7q9q1spdmr/PDF.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1561997317/finalsite/ksy5tmgvsb7q9q1spdmr/PDF.jpg","width":1500}])
We know it can be hard to let them go, but PDFs are a no-go for accessible website design (not to mention search engine optimization!) Learn some accessible alternatives in this article.
![man holding a mug with the california flag on it]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1557940426/finalsite/cy8rvayt6as7ztzmdfvh/2999full.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1557940426/finalsite/cy8rvayt6as7ztzmdfvh/2999full.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1557940426/finalsite/cy8rvayt6as7ztzmdfvh/2999full.jpg","width":530}])
Website accessibility laws in California take effect in less than six weeks! Read up on the importance of website accessibility certifications and how your district can secure one.
![man sitting at computer feeling frustrated]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1550592274/finalsite/eesglvyffzu2xklhohif/frustratedusinglaptop.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1550592274/finalsite/eesglvyffzu2xklhohif/frustratedusinglaptop.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1550592274/finalsite/eesglvyffzu2xklhohif/frustratedusinglaptop.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1550592274/finalsite/eesglvyffzu2xklhohif/frustratedusinglaptop.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1550592274/finalsite/eesglvyffzu2xklhohif/frustratedusinglaptop.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1550592274/finalsite/eesglvyffzu2xklhohif/frustratedusinglaptop.jpg","width":2200}])
We surveyed schools and districts about their biggest web accessibility concerns. Here are the results!
![Macbook mockup with Accessibility Checker used in Composer]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1540470211/finalsite/vnxodkwgsw0doz4zns8o/AccessibilityCheckertooldisplayedonMacbookontable40907PM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1540470211/finalsite/vnxodkwgsw0doz4zns8o/AccessibilityCheckertooldisplayedonMacbookontable40907PM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1540470211/finalsite/vnxodkwgsw0doz4zns8o/AccessibilityCheckertooldisplayedonMacbookontable40907PM.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1540470211/finalsite/vnxodkwgsw0doz4zns8o/AccessibilityCheckertooldisplayedonMacbookontable40907PM.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1540470211/finalsite/vnxodkwgsw0doz4zns8o/AccessibilityCheckertooldisplayedonMacbookontable40907PM.png","width":1600}])
Making website design and content more accessible for every user is something we see as the right thing to do. In an effort to ensure we continue to lead on accessibility, we’re excited to share with you some of our recent additions to the accessibility feature set on the Finalsite Platform.
![taft website in laptop on desk with ipad]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1531308368/finalsite/emdnthbotioldoazmqa0/independent-accessibility-header.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1531308368/finalsite/emdnthbotioldoazmqa0/independent-accessibility-header.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1531308368/finalsite/emdnthbotioldoazmqa0/independent-accessibility-header.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1531308368/finalsite/emdnthbotioldoazmqa0/independent-accessibility-header.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1531308368/finalsite/emdnthbotioldoazmqa0/independent-accessibility-header.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1531308368/finalsite/emdnthbotioldoazmqa0/independent-accessibility-header.jpg","width":2200}])
Because web accessibility isn’t mandatory for independent schools like it is for public school districts and some universities, we reached out to three of our early adopters at independent schools to understand why they're prioritizing web accessibility.
Free Resources
- On-Demand Webinar
Learn from Lower Merion School District's (LMSD) Webmaster Jason Michael and Finalsite Client Success Manager Gerard Gustafson what to do during an OCR investigation, and what changes LMSD made to ensure a smooth OCR investigation.
- On-Demand Webinar
Download this webinar to learn from web accessibility experts Kara Franco and Will Rickenback new ways to obtain and maintain an accessible website, whether you have two, 10, or 100 website admins.
- On-Demand Webinar
Join Client Success Manager Nick Provost and Accessibility Specialist Kara Franco as they discuss how to promote accessibility at your organization.
- On-Demand Webinar
Join Finalsite Client Success Manager Gerard Gustafson and AudioEye Accessibility Training Manager April Morgan to learn how schools can achieve an accessible design and content in just a few simple steps.
- On-Demand Webinar
Website accessibility is an increasingly important focus for colleges and universities. But where how do you start? In this webinar, Finalsite's Lorrie Jackson walks you through the process, step by step: from website accessibility basics to a case study from Misericordia University, and how both Finalsite and Audio Eye can help higher education institutions like yours with your accessibility needs.
Additional Education
- AudioEye: K-12 Education Web Accessibility Compliant Repository
- Current OCR Investigtations
- K-12 Web Accessibility Resolution Agreements
- Free eBook: Website Accessibility Basics: Three Steps for a Compliant Website
- WebAIM’s WCAG 2.0 Checklist
- WebAIM’s Section 508 Checklist
- WCAG 2.0 Quick Reference Guidelines
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0
- Section 508 Standards
- ADA.gov Section 508 Report
Upcoming Webinars
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EDT (NYC Time)
Free Accessibility Analysis
Is your district's website accessible? We'll tell you with an accessibility analysis and report of areas of improvement on your site, and share the steps you can take to improve it.
Free eBook: Website Accessibility Basics
New to web accessibility? Download our free eBook that outlines the three steps to building and maintaining an accessible website.