The Aberdeen School District is committed to providing equal access to the District’s website to individuals with disabilities. The District will comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998), to ensure that no student, parent, staff member, or patron will be excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of services, programs or activities of the District because of their disabilities.
On or before April 26, 2027, the District will conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA, as the technical standard for accessibility. All new or significantly revised web content must meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards by the implementation date set forth above.
The following digital content may be excepted from the WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility requirement:
1. Archived web content. Web content that meets all four of the following criteria are excepted from the technical standard:
a. The content was created before April 26, 2027, or reproduces paper documents or the contents of other physical media (e.g., audiotapes, film negatives, and CD-ROMs) that were created before April 26, 2027;
b. The content is kept only for reference, research, or recordkeeping;
c. The content is kept in a special area for archived content; and
d. The content has not been changed since it was archived.
2. Preexisting conventional electronic documents. Documents that meet the following two criteria (except that documents that are currently being used to apply for, access, or participate in district services, programs, or activities and will continue to be used for that purpose following the implementation date) are excepted from the technical standard:
a. The documents are word processing, presentation, PDF, or spreadsheet files; and
b. They were available on the district’s website or mobile app before April 26, 2027.
3. Content posted by a third party where the third party is not posting due to contractual, licensing, or other arrangements with the district.
4. Individualized documents that are password-protected. Documents that meet all three of the following criteria are excepted from the technical standard:
a. The documents are word processing, presentation, PDF, or spreadsheet files;
b. The documents are about a specific person, property, or account; and
c. The documents are password-protected or otherwise secured.
5. Preexisting social media posts.
Legacy content (that content existing prior to the implementation date of April 26, 2027) will be remediated according to a phased plan, with priority given to frequently accessed materials.
This policy applies to all new, updated, and existing web pages, web applications and mobile applications, as well as all digital content produced or updated by the District or provided by third-party vendors. This policy also applies to all online instructional materials, forms, and communications intended for public use.
The District has designated a Website Compliance Coordinator within the technology department.The Website Compliance Coordinator will create and facilitate ongoing professional development for all District personnel who develop, load, maintain and/or audit website content and functionality, which will include training on the Web Accessibility Policy and District personnel roles and responsibilities to ensure that web design, documents and multimedia content are accessible. The Website Compliance Coordinator will conduct annual accessibility audits and correct inaccessible content in a timely manner.
Individuals who wish to submit a complaint regarding a violation of the ADA, Section 504 or Section 508 related to the District’s website or other digital content may do so by contacting the district office or the Website Compliance Coordinator using the District’s Section 504 grievance procedure. Complaints should include:
- Full name of the complainant;
- Date of the complaint;
- Where possible, the web address or URL, along with a detailed description of the problems encountered;
- Solution desired; and
- Phone and email address of the complainant for follow-up.
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LEGAL REFERENCE:
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
28 CFR Part 35
ADOPTED: February 18, 2026
AMENDED: