In the last few years, the conversation around accessibility in K-12 education has intensified—and for good reason. As technology becomes the backbone of modern education, ensuring that every student can access digital learning resources is not only a legal requirement and a moral imperative but has also become a business necessity. 

The year 2024 marked a turning point in K–12 accessibility. With the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) updates to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and stronger enforcement of Section 508 and WCAG 2.2 AA standards, educational publishers and EdTech companies are now expected to ensure their digital content supports inclusive, compliant K–12 learning environments. 

For educational publishers and EdTech firms, this marks a market-defining moment. Districts are now legally mandated to ensure their vendors provide fully accessible materials. If your content isn’t compliant, you’re not just missing a feature—you’re effectively disqualified from future adoptions. 

As a long-standing leader in K-12 digital transformation, MRCC EdTech stands uniquely positioned as we continue to: educate those new to accessibility mandates, consult for companies seeking clarity, deliver end-to-end solutions, and serve as implementation partners in helping our clients move from compliance confusion to confident leadership in accessibility. 

The DOJ’s Title II Updates: Raising the Bar for Digital Accessibility 

In April 2024, the DOJ finalized a landmark update to Title II of the ADA that directly impacts the digital content provided by public K-12 learning and educational agencies. For the first time, the regulations explicitly set technical standards for web and mobile content, aligning closely with WCAG 2.1 AA (with some states and contracts pushing for  WCAG 2.2 AA), thus raising the bar for accessibility in K-12 education nationwide. 

Key requirements from the DOJ’s Title II updates (source): 

• All digital content from K-12 schools must be accessible. This content now includes not only district websites but also all third-party content, curricula, eBooks, assessments, and learning apps provided to students. 

• Clear technical standards: By 2026, conformance to WCAG 2.1 AA will be mandatory for all public K-12 digital content. This table shows the dates by which state and local governments must comply with this rule. 

After these compliance dates are met, state and local governments must continue to ensure their web content and mobile apps meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA. 

• Broad scope: These regulations cover all digital content regardless of whether it’s created, purchased, or licensed. 

• Enforcement: Non-compliance can result in OCR complaints, DOJ investigations, and loss of contracts for content providers. 

What This Means for Publishers and EdTech Companies 

For educational publishers and EdTech companies, rising expectations around K–12 accessibility present a meaningful opportunity to strengthen market position and long-term partnerships with school districts. 

• Procurement preferences are shifting: Districts are increasingly prioritizing partners who can demonstrate leadership in accessibility in K-12 education, thus moving compliant publishers to the top of adoption shortlists. 

• Legal clarity means competitive advantage: Clear standards like WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA allow forward-thinking EdTech companies to differentiate their K–12 learning products with confidence. 

• Expanding your reach: According to U.S. Department of Education data (2022–2023), approximately 15% of K–12 students receive special education services. However, accessibility improvements—such as clear navigation, readable layouts, captions, and keyboard support—also enhance usability for all learners, including multilingual students, students using mobile devices, and those with temporary or situational limitations. By investing in accessibility now, publishers expand the usability and adoption potential of their K–12 learning products. 

• Brand trust and loyalty: Showing a genuine commitment to K–12 accessibility and inclusion builds your reputation as a partner who understands the needs of every classroom. 

What Digital Learning Content Is Covered? 

The scope of the regulation is intentionally broad to ensure that accessibility is applied consistently across the entire digital learning ecosystem—not just district-owned platforms. Because public schools increasingly rely on externally created and licensed digital content, the DOJ’s rule applies regardless of whether materials are created in-house, purchased, or licensed from third-party providers. 

For content providers, this typically includes: 

• Instructional PDFs and workbooks 

• PowerPoint and slide-based lesson materials 

• Interactive eLearning modules (e.g., Storyline-based content) 

• LMS-hosted courses and assessments 

• Multimedia assets such as videos, audio, and animations 

• Companion websites and learner portals 

Importantly, this applies to legacy content as well as newly developed materials. Many publishers are discovering that content created even a few years ago fails to meet current expectations for accessibility in K-12 education, particularly when evaluated against updated WCAG standards. 

Why Choose MRCC EdTech 

The path to compliance can seem overwhelming. That’s where MRCC EdTech steps in as your accessibility solution provider and implementation partner. 

1. Three Decades of Deep K–12 Expertise

For over 30 years, MRCC EdTech has supported the world’s leading publishers and EdTech innovators by delivering high-quality K–12 learning content at scale. We understand curriculum development, assessment design, instructional workflows, and the unique challenges of producing multimodal learning content at scale. This expertise lets us remediate not just for compliance but also for instructional integrity, thereby ensuring accessibility never compromises learning experience. 

2. End-to-End Accessibility Support 

Most providers offer isolated services—alt text, PDF tagging, or VPAT drafting. Yet MRCC goes further with complete accessibility lifecycle support including: 

• Accessibility audits 

• Content remediation (PDF, PPT, InDesign, Storyline, HTML5) 

• Captioning, transcripts, and audio descriptions 

• WCAG-aligned design and templates 

• VPAT / ACR preparation and documentation 

• Ongoing accessibility QA 

Thus, we help clients transition from reactive fixes to proactive accessibility readiness, a model that reduces long-term cost and risk. 

3. Scalable Solutions for High-Volume Content

Publishers often face tens of thousands of legacy files—PDFs, PPT decks, course modules, and assessments—all of which must meet compliance under the new ADA Title II timelines.
That’s why MRCC specializes in high-volume, rapid turnaround remediation supported by mature workflows, certified specialists, and proven scalability. 

Whether it’s a multiyear transformation or a deadline-driven sprint, we deliver accuracy, velocity, and consistency. 

4. Proven Accessibility Expertise Across All EdTech Formats

Our teams work across every major platform and content type used in K–12 publishing: 

• Storyline & interactive learning objects 

• LMS courses (Canvas, Schoology, Blackboard, D2L) 

• InDesign-based textbooks and teacher resources 

• Assessment interfaces and item banks 

• Video and multimedia libraries 

We understand assistive technologies, screen readers, and the nuances of WCAG interpretation within education—thus ensuring your content is both compliant and classroom-ready. 

Why Act Now?  

As standards for accessibility in K-12 education continue to rise, publishers that act early are better positioned to protect revenue, accelerate adoption, and lead with confidence in a rapidly evolving K–12 learning market. 

• Because the DOJ’s new rule will be enforced in 2026, proactive publishers are already winning contracts by demonstrating accessibility leadership. 

• The global EdTech market is projected to reach USD 348.41 billion by 2030– as accessibility is quickly becoming a top procurement filter.  

• Non-compliance exposes you to OCR complaints and DOJ enforcement, lost contracts, and reputational harm., lost contracts, and reputational harm. 

Take the Next Step with MRCC EdTech 

K-12 accessibility standards are higher than ever—and so are the stakes. Don’t let uncertainty or complexity jeopardize your market position. MRCC EdTech is the trusted partner for publishers and EdTech companies seeking clarity, strategic guidance, and flawless execution. 

Let us help you navigate the updated regulations, craft accessible learning solutions, and set your business apart as a leader in inclusive digital learning. 

Contact MRCC EdTech accessibility experts today.