Accessibility Statements for Course and LMS Compliance

When you build an online course or use a learning management system (LMS), you’re not just delivering content-you’re opening a door. But is that door open to everyone? If your course videos don’t have captions, your quizzes can’t be navigated with a keyboard, or your PDFs are just scanned images, you’re leaving learners behind. And it’s not just unfair-it’s illegal in many places. An accessibility statement isn’t a checkbox. It’s a promise. A clear, honest one.

Why accessibility statements matter more than you think

Most institutions don’t wake up one day and decide to ignore accessibility. They just never got around to it. But in 2026, lawsuits against universities and corporate training platforms over inaccessible content are up 47% since 2022, according to the National Center for Disability and Accessibility. The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has opened over 200 investigations into digital accessibility in education since 2020. And it’s not just about legal risk. It’s about real people.

Imagine a student with low vision trying to take a certification course. The videos have no audio descriptions. The quiz questions appear as images. The LMS menu won’t respond to screen reader commands. They give up. Not because they can’t learn. But because the platform won’t let them in.

An accessibility statement says: We see you. We’re trying. Here’s what we’ve done. Here’s what we’re working on. That honesty builds trust. It also protects you. If someone reports an issue and you can point to a public statement showing you’re actively fixing it, you’re far less likely to face legal action.

What belongs in an accessibility statement

Too many accessibility statements are just copies of legal jargon. They sound like they were written by a lawyer who’s never used a screen reader. That’s useless. A good accessibility statement is plain, specific, and actionable.

Here’s what you need to include:

• Standards you follow-Say you’re aiming for WCAG 2.2 Level AA. Don’t just say “we follow accessibility guidelines.” Name the standard. It shows you know what you’re doing.
• Current level of compliance-Be honest. If 80% of your course content meets WCAG, say so. If your quiz builder doesn’t support keyboard navigation, admit it. People respect transparency more than perfection.
• Known limitations-List the parts of your LMS or courses that aren’t fully accessible. Maybe your third-party video player lacks captions. Maybe your custom quiz tool doesn’t work with voice control. Name them. Include the reason (e.g., “vendor doesn’t support this feature”) and your plan to fix it.
• How to report issues-Give a real email address, not a contact form. Include a phone number if you can. Say how long it takes to respond (“within 3 business days”). People need to know they’ll be heard.
• Accessibility features you offer-List what works well. “All videos include closed captions.” “All downloadable materials are tagged PDFs.” “The LMS supports zoom up to 200% without loss of function.”
• Commitment to improvement-Say when you’ll review accessibility again. “We audit all new courses quarterly.” “We’re working with our LMS vendor to fix navigation issues by Q3 2026.”

Don’t just say “We are committed to accessibility.” Show it. Numbers and dates matter. Vague promises are ignored. Concrete plans are respected.

Common mistakes in accessibility statements

Here’s what most organizations get wrong:

• Using “we strive for” instead of “we meet”-If you haven’t met the standard yet, say so. “We strive” sounds like you’re not even trying.
• Putting the statement in a hidden footer link-If it’s buried under five layers of menus, no one will find it. Put it in your main navigation. Label it clearly: “Accessibility” or “Accessibility Statement.”
• Ignoring third-party tools-Your LMS might be accessible, but what about the video platform? The quiz tool? The chatbot? If you use external tools, you’re still responsible for their accessibility. Mention them. Say whether they’re compliant or if you’re working on it.
• Forgetting mobile-Over 60% of course access now happens on phones and tablets. Does your content resize properly? Can users pinch to zoom? Is the touch target size at least 44x44 pixels? If not, say so.
• Not updating it-An accessibility statement from 2022 is dead weight. Review it every six months. Update it when you fix something. Update it when you add a new feature.

How to build your statement step by step

Here’s how to create a real, usable accessibility statement in under an hour:

1. Identify your tools-List every platform, plugin, video host, quiz builder, and document type you use. Don’t skip anything.
2. Test key functions-Use a free tool like WAVE or Axe to scan your homepage and one sample course. Try navigating with just a keyboard. Turn on your screen reader (VoiceOver on Mac, NVDA on Windows). See where things break.
3. Classify each issue-Categorize problems as: “Fixed,” “In Progress,” “Known Limitation,” or “Not Applicable.”
4. Write the statement-Use plain language. No legalese. No fluff. Answer: What’s working? What’s not? What are you doing about it?
5. Place it where people can find it-Link it in your main menu, footer, and login page. Add it to your course syllabus.
6. Set a reminder-Schedule a review every six months. Mark it on your calendar.

Real examples from real institutions

Arizona State University’s accessibility statement says: “Our LMS supports screen readers, keyboard navigation, and high-contrast mode. All video content uploaded since January 2025 includes captions. Legacy content from 2023 and earlier is being captioned at a rate of 200 hours per month.” That’s specific. That’s credible.

Compare that to a corporate training platform that says: “We are committed to accessibility for all users.” No details. No timeline. No examples. Which one would you trust?

Even small institutions can do this. A community college in Ohio published a one-page statement that listed their LMS version, the number of captioned videos, and the email of their accessibility coordinator. Within three months, they got three positive emails from learners who’d been unable to use other platforms. One wrote: “This is the first time I’ve felt like I belong in an online class.”

What happens if you don’t have one

Without an accessibility statement, you’re flying blind. You might think you’re compliant because your LMS says it’s “accessible.” But that’s not enough. Vendors often mean “accessible enough for most people.” That’s not the same as legal compliance.

When the University of California was sued in 2023 over inaccessible course materials, their defense collapsed because they had no public statement. The judge ruled: “The absence of a public commitment to accessibility suggests a lack of due diligence.”

Even if you’re not sued, you lose learners. You lose credibility. You lose the chance to reach people who need your courses the most.

Accessibility isn’t a feature. It’s a foundation.

You wouldn’t build a house without a foundation. Why build a course without accessibility? It’s not about checking boxes. It’s about making sure everyone who wants to learn can. An accessibility statement is the first step. It’s not the finish line. But without it, you’re not even on the track.

Start small. Be honest. Update often. And remember: accessibility isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. And progress is visible when you say so out loud.