But to develop a passion among students, it is crucial that they get an accessible learning experience.

Lately, education and learning processes have evolved! With online learning platforms becoming a critical part of schools, universities, and professional training programs, need for accessible content has increased. However, for several students with disabilities, these platforms are still riddled with accessibility barriers, preventing them from fully engaging in the learning experience.

With the increasing emphasis on digital education, ADA Title III is now a major factor pushing educational institutions and ed-tech companies toward more inclusive online learning environments. But what does ADA title III require for compliance?

Let’s explore!

What is ADA Title III, and how does it apply to online learning?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was established in 1990 to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Title III of the ADA specifically applies to public accommodations, which include educational institutions and online service providers.

While the ADA initially focused on physical spaces, legal interpretations, and court rulings have extended its reach to digital environments, requiring online learning platforms to be accessible to all students, including those with disabilities.

What does ADA Title III require?

For online learning platforms, conformance with ADA Title III refers to:

• Screen reader compatibility

  Ensuring text, images, and multimedia content are readable by assistive technologies like screen readers (for example: JAWS, NVDA).

• Keyboard navigation

  All features of the learning platform can be accessed without using a mouse.

• Captioning and transcripts

  Closed captions for videos and transcripts for audio content are mandatory.

• Adjustable font sizes and contrast

  Allowing users to customize text size and background contrast for better readability.

• Alternative text for images

  Alt text descriptions to images must be there so that visually impaired users can understand the context of image.

Failure to meet these standards can exclude students with disabilities and result in legal challenges under ADA Title III accessibility.

Why is this growing push for accessibility in online education?

Over the past few years, educational institutions and ed-tech companies have faced increased scrutiny and legal action regarding digital accessibility. Let’s look at some key drivers behind the push for more inclusive online learning.

• Rise in lawsuits against educational institutions

  Several universities and online learning platforms have encountered legal actions for failing to provide accessible content. Some of the notable cases are:

  1. Harvard & MIT Lawsuits (2015)

     These institutions faced lawsuits for failing to provide captions on online courses, leading to a settlement requiring full accessibility compliance.

  2. University of California, Berkeley (2017)

     The U.S. Department of Justice ordered Berkeley to make online courses either accessible or remove them.

  3. Lawsuits against online course providers

     Platforms like Coursera and edX have faced pressure to ensure ADA compliance in their course materials.

  These legal battles highlight the growing enforcement of digital accessibility in school, collages, and universities.

• Increased online learning in recent years

  The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to online education, making accessibility more urgent than ever. With millions relying on virtual classrooms, the lack of accessible features left many disabled students behind. Schools and universities are now working harder to eliminate digital barriers.

• Student advocacy for equal access

  Students with disabilities are advocating for their rights like never before. Organizations like the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and Disability Rights Education & Defence Fund (DREDF) are actively pushing for online education reforms.

  Many universities are also forming disability inclusion committees, ensuring accessibility remains a top priority.

How can online learning platforms ensure accessibility?

Educational institutions and ed-tech companies must take proactive steps to ensure ADA Title III compliance. Here’s how:

• Follow best practices of WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 to ensure all content is accessible. Offering high-contrast color schemes for readability.
• Use automated accessibility tools (like WAVE, Axe, or Google Lighthouse) to conduct regular testing of the content. Also, perform manual accessibility testing with screen readers (like NVDA or JAWS) to identify accessibility gaps.
• Ensure all educational materials, including PDFs, PowerPoints, and interactive modules, meet accessibility standards.
• Enable compatibility with speech-to-text tools, text-to-speech readers, and alternative input devices.
• Professors, teachers, and instructional designers must understand accessibility best practices to create inclusive course content.
• An accessibility statement on the platform shows commitment and a feedback system allows students to report barriers.

Interactive check: Is your learning platform accessible?

A quick reality check to assess the accessibility of an online learning platform:

• Can all interactive elements be used with a keyboard alone?
• Do all images have descriptive alt text?
• Are all videos captioned with accurate transcripts?
• Can students adjust text size and contrast settings?
• Does the platform work smoothly with screen readers?

If even a single answer is “No” to these questions, the learning platform has accessibility issues. It’s time to take immediate action!

An online learning platform’s future depends on its accessibility!

ADA Title III is as crucial for a learning platform as any other facet of their content strategy. It is an educational necessity; as online learning grows, working on platforms’ accessibility ensures equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their abilities.

Colleges, universities, and learning platforms across the U.S. are getting pushed to meet ADA Title III requirements—and for good reason. Students with disabilities deserve equal access to online education. If you're part of an educational institution, now’s the time to act. From course materials to web platforms, accessibility isn’t just a box to check—it’s a commitment to inclusion. Let’s raise the bar and make digital learning work for everyone. Don’t wait to get compliant—start building a more inclusive experience today.

We are here to help educational institutions meet ADA Title III requirements and create truly inclusive online learning experiences. Our website accessibility solutions are designed to make digital platforms user-friendly for all students, including those with disabilities. Whether you need a full accessibility audit, remediation, or retainer, VPAT and ACR < ongoing support, we’ve got you covered. Let’s work together to build online learning environments that support equal access and empower every learner. Reach out [email protected] for more information.