Statement
State and local educational agencies (SEA and LEAs) provide clear, actionable guidelines for creating accessible digital learning materials with agency-supported tools.
Intent
These guidelines help educators (e.g., teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers) make informed decisions, use the right tools, and apply accessibility best practices during content creation. To conserve educators’ time and effort, the agency considers the roles and responsibilities of staff to distribute the load of implementing these guidelines. While either the SEA or LEA can initiate the provision of these guidelines, the SEA can minimize duplication of effort by taking the lead.
Critical Components
To effectively address Quality Indicator DM4, the following components should be present:
DM4.1 Educator-Created Guidelines
Guidelines for implementing accessibility criteria of educator-created content by media type:
- Text (e.g., heading structure, lists, descriptive hyperlinks, use of columns and tables)
- Images (e.g., alt text and image descriptions)
- Video (e.g., closed captioning and audio description)
- Audio (e.g., text transcript)
DM4.1 Self-Assessment Scoring Matrix
| Not Started | Emerging | Operationalizing | Scaling & Sustainability |
|---|---|---|---|
| The need for accessibility criteria by media type has not yet been considered. | The SEA and LEAs (“the agency”) are reviewing accessibility practices for different media types. Designated staff are coordinating across curriculum and tech teams to draft guidelines on how staff should structure digital text, describe images, and ensure accessibility of video and audio. Planning is underway for how to introduce this to staff through training and templates. | The agency provides draft guidelines that cover the basic accessibility features by media type (e.g., use headings in text, write alt text for images, add captions to videos). Training on the guidelines is available to staff who are beginning to understand features of accessible media by specific type. Feedback is being collected to improve the guidelines. | The agency provides clear, actionable media-specific accessibility guidelines. Guidelines are embedded in training, templates, and instructional design workflows. Staff consistently identify accessibility features to include when creating text, images, video, and audio. Guidelines are routinely reviewed and updated to reflect evolving standards. |
The scoring matrix is part of the Quality Indicator Self-Assessment Tools.
DM4.2 Approved Content Creation Tools
Guidelines include an agency-approved list of content creation tools that support accessibility, including third-party integrations used in a learning or content management system (LMS or CMS).
DM4.2 Self-Assessment Scoring Matrix
| Not Started | Emerging | Operationalizing | Scaling & Sustainability |
|---|---|---|---|
| The need for an agency-approved list of content creation tools that support accessibility has not yet been considered. | The SEA and LEAs (“the agency”) are identifying commonly used tools for content creation (e.g., slide decks, assessments, multimedia), including third-party apps integrated with the agency’s LMS or CMS. Each is being reviewed for accessibility support. Selection criteria for the approved list are being developed. Coordination across IT, curriculum, and instructional tech is initiated. | A preliminary list of content creation tools that support accessibility is made available by the agency, with basic documentation on why each tool is approved for use. Staff are encouraged to use these tools for creating learning materials. Some third-party LMS or CMS tools have been evaluated, and staff are starting to ask questions about accessibility when adopting new tools. | A comprehensive list of approved, accessibility-supportive content creation tools is made available by the agency. Staff are required to use these guidelines. The list is regularly updated as content creation tools, including LMS and CMS integrations, are routinely reviewed for accessibility compliance. |
DM4.3 Content Creation Guidelines
Guidelines for using product-specific accessibility supports when creating content with tools on the agency-approved list.
DM4.3 Self-Assessment Scoring Matrix
| Not Started | Emerging | Operationalizing | Scaling & Sustainability |
|---|---|---|---|
| The need to provide guidelines for using product-specific accessibility supports has not yet been considered. | The SEA and LEAs (“the agency”) are reviewing existing instructions and information for creating accessible content with the approved tools, prioritizing the products most used by staff (e.g., how to apply heading styles, add alt text, enable captions, or structure accessible quizzes). Platform-specific supports, such as quick-start guides, checklists, and embedded help, are being identified. Coordination with instructional leaders is underway to align efforts with professional development. | The agency provides draft guidelines or tip sheets showing how to use accessibility supports in some agency-approved content creation tools (e.g., how to add alt text in the LMS, use accessible layout templates in an approved text editor, or how to caption a video in an approved player). Training or how-to materials are available to staff who are beginning to use accessibility supports in agency-approved tools. Feedback is being collected to improve the guidelines. | The agency provides clear, actionable guidelines for using accessibility supports in all agency-approved content creation tools. Known accessibility limitations of products are documented, with workarounds or alternatives provided. Staff consistently use accessibility supports when creating content in agency-approved tools. The agency monitors product updates to adjust guidelines as needed. |