Common Problems with Website Content
Common problems affecting many of the websites include:
- Some content of the website could only be accessed by people who can use a computer mouse, which meant that content was not available to those who are blind, many who have low-vision, and those with disabilities affecting fine motor control;
- PDF documents on the website were created by scanning a document (basically turning the text into an image) making it inaccessible to blind people;
- Parts of the website used color combinations that made text difficult or impossible for people with low vision to see; and
- Videos were not accurately captioned, so they were inaccessible to people who are deaf.
What Should Your School District Do?
Whether you have received a complaint or not, you should put together a plan and process to affirm your commitment to achieving a website that is accessible to people with disabilities. Your plan should involve:
- Affirming your commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities have opportunities equal to those of others to enjoy the recipients’ programs, services, and activities, including those delivered online;
- Selecting an auditor who has the requisite knowledge and experience to audit content and functionality and identify barriers to access on the existing website for people with disabilities;
- Conducting a thorough audit of existing online content and functionality;
- Adopting policies and procedures to ensure that all new, newly added or modified online content and functionality will be accessible to people with disabilities;
- Making all new website content and functionality accessible to people with disabilities;
- Developing a corrective action plan to prioritize the removal of online barriers;
- Posting a notice to persons with disabilities about how to request access to online information or functionality that is currently inaccessible; and
- Providing website accessibility training to all appropriate personnel.
To learn more about putting together a voluntary agreement plan see the U.S. Department of Education news article:
What Foxbright Clients Say
- Blissfield Community Schools
"We have used Foxbright for almost 9 years now and have had a great working relationship with them. Responses are always quick and courteous."
- Blissfield Community Schools
"We recently did a redesign of our website and we are so pleased with the new web interface. Their interface is easy to use and intuitive. Foxbright continues to keep up with the trends and over the past 9 years there have been many new features and functions."
- Byron Center Public Schools
"We are very happy with this organization. They are great to work with! Sharp group of professionals and always helpful."
- Grand Ledge Public Schools
"Foxbright's client service is second to none!"
- Grand Ledge Public Schools
"For many people, a school district's website often provides the first impression... and those are very powerful and influential. I can not imagine using a different website technology provider – I think Foxbright is tops in so many ways!"
- Kent ISD
“Foxbright is a technology company that knows how to communicate, rather than a communication company that dabbles in technology.”
- Muskegon Area ISD
"We been very satisfied with the quality and flexibility of Foxbright's CMS. We continue to enjoy a positive and creative partnership with Foxbright and look forward to implementing new features."
- Saline Schools
"When any issue comes up, the Foxbright support team is only an email or phone call away. They always respond very quickly to the issues which wasn't our experience with our last website vendor."
- Saline Schools
"The PD yesterday was awesome! The hybrid you did for us was great. It was short, quick and covered the areas we wanted to in a short time. Thank you for being flexible and rolling with our PD style yesterday.
Excited to be ADA compliant."
- Vicksburg Community Schools
"Our Head of Technology and I both marveled at how thorough, seamless, simple, and cost-efficient the site transfer process was last Fall and at how easy it is to maintain and change the site to fit our needs. Thank you for all you do to help us look good!"
- Wayland Union Schools
"Our experience in working with Foxbright to create the new website was wonderful from start to finish. We finished the project under schedule and our parents, staff and community are happy with the new site."
