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School District 49

Accessibility

Web Accessibility Statement for D49.org

At District 49, we are committed to ensuring digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Our website templates are designed to align with ADA standards and follow best practices outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA. Our goal is to provide accessible, inclusive content that supports all users, including those relying on assistive technologies.

Ongoing Accessibility Efforts

We regularly assess and enhance D49.org to improve accessibility:

  • Website Platform: Transitioned to Finalsite to support modern accessibility features. The default settings in Finalsite are developed in accordance with WCAG guidelines to support website accessibility.
  • Content Reviews: We conduct internal and third-party accessibility audits using tools such as AudioEye.
  • Graphic & Document Use: We restrict the use of text-heavy graphics and PDFs to prioritize screen-readable formats and HTML-based content.
  • Central Stylesheet: A unified design approach ensures consistent typography, spacing, and responsive layout across all pages.

Typography & Readability

To support readability:

  • Sans serif fonts (e.g., Arial) are used as the default for clarity.
  • Font sizes adapt to screen sizes, with a base size of at least 12pt on desktop.
  • Bold text is preferred over italics or underlining for emphasis.
  • Text is never solely conveyed through color to ensure legibility for users with visual impairments.
  • All content meets or exceeds the minimum contrast ratios (4.5:1 for regular text; 3:1 for large/bold text).
  • We avoid using all capital letters and ensure appropriate spacing between text and images.

Color Use & Contrast

Color is used thoughtfully to maintain clarity and usability:

  • Content is never conveyed using color alone.
  • Text and visual elements meet WCAG contrast requirements.
  • On keyboard navigation, links in focus are clearly indicated (e.g., black-on-white with 110% font increase).
  • Branding elements (e.g., logos) follow accessibility exceptions where appropriate.

Keyboard Navigation

We prioritize accessible keyboard navigation, particularly for users with vision or motor impairments. All interactive elements are tested for logical tab order and visibility when focused.

External Links

Some pages on D49.org include links to third-party websites. While we strive to link to accessible content, these external sites are outside our control and may not meet the same accessibility standards. 

Netiquette and Digital Communication

We encourage clear, respectful communication across digital platforms. Humor, sarcasm, and excessive use of acronyms are discouraged to avoid misinterpretation. Punctuation such as exclamation points is used sparingly to maintain tone and readability.

Distributed Responsibility

Many pages and sections on D49.org are managed by school teams, content experts, or program leads. We are committed to supporting these contributors with training and guidance to maintain accessibility standards.

If you encounter a barrier accessing information on our website:

When submitting a concern, please include:

  • The page title or URL
  • A description of the issue
  • The format that works best for you
  • Your name and contact information
     

A member of the Communications Department will respond within two business days, and we aim to resolve all accessibility issues within ten business days.

D49 Digital Accessibility Plan

~ Updated May 2025