Accessibility at OpenBook
OpenBook Homeschooling is being built with the goal of making lessons, parent tools, and educational resources understandable and usable by as many families as reasonably possible, including people who use assistive technologies.
Last updated: September 25, 2026Accessibility is part of the design.
OpenBook is still growing. As we build new curriculum and features, accessibility should be considered during development rather than treated only as something to add later.
Our accessibility goal
We aim to provide a website and learning environment that works across different devices, supports keyboard navigation, uses readable layouts and meaningful structure, and can work with common assistive technologies.
Our goal is to follow recognized web-accessibility practices, including relevant guidance from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), while continuing to test and improve OpenBook as the service develops.
Because OpenBook is under active development, we do not claim that every page, resource, third-party link, or future feature is perfectly accessible in every circumstance. We do commit to taking accessibility concerns seriously and addressing barriers when we identify them.
Accessible by design
These principles guide the design of OpenBook's public website, parent areas, student classroom, and curriculum resources.
Keyboard Access
Important controls and navigation should be usable without requiring a mouse whenever practical.
Readable Presentation
We aim for readable text, clear spacing, understandable headings, and sufficient visual distinction between important interface elements.
Assistive Technology
Pages should use meaningful HTML structure, labels, alternative text, and other techniques that help screen readers interpret content.
Responsive Layouts
OpenBook is designed to adapt to desktop, tablet, and mobile screen sizes rather than requiring one particular device.
Clear Instructions
Learning directions and interface language should be understandable, consistent, and age-appropriate whenever possible.
Continual Improvement
Accessibility is an ongoing process. We expect to identify and correct issues as OpenBook's curriculum and technology expand.
Accessibility Features and Practices
Depending on the page or feature, OpenBook may use accessibility practices such as:
- Semantic headings and page structure.
- Descriptive labels for forms and controls.
- Alternative text for meaningful images.
- Keyboard-accessible navigation and interactive controls.
- Visible keyboard focus indicators.
- A “Skip to main content” link on appropriate pages.
- Responsive layouts that adapt to different screen sizes and zoom levels.
- Clear error and status messages in forms.
- Avoiding reliance on color alone to communicate essential information.
- Plain, understandable language where appropriate for the intended audience.
Educational Materials
OpenBook may provide lessons, assessments, images, printable worksheets, downloadable documents, audio, video, interactive activities, or links to external resources. We aim to consider accessibility when creating these materials, but different formats can present different accessibility challenges.
When a family encounters an OpenBook educational resource that is difficult to use because of a disability or assistive-technology need, we encourage the parent or guardian to contact us. Where reasonably possible, we will work to identify an accessible alternative or improve the resource.
Third-Party Content and Services
Some OpenBook pages may link to or rely on services, resources, payment systems, videos, documents, or websites operated by third parties. We do not control every aspect of those third-party products and cannot guarantee their accessibility.
If a third-party resource creates an accessibility barrier within an OpenBook lesson, please tell us so we can review the issue and, where practical, consider an alternative.
Known Limitations
OpenBook is under active development. New pages and learning tools may occasionally contain accessibility problems, and older or externally supplied resources may not yet meet the accessibility level we are working toward.
Accessibility and Individual Learning Needs
Website accessibility and educational accommodations are related but not identical. Children may have individual learning needs that require adaptations, specialized instruction, assistive technology, professional services, or accommodations beyond what a general online curriculum can provide.
Parents and guardians are responsible for deciding whether OpenBook materials are appropriate for their child and for arranging any additional educational or accessibility support the child may need.
Standards and Review
OpenBook's accessibility work is intended to be informed by recognized web-accessibility guidance, including WCAG. We may use automated testing, manual review, keyboard testing, user feedback, and assistive-technology testing as the service matures.
Accessibility standards and technology evolve, so this page may be updated as our practices, features, and testing processes change.
Need Accessibility Help?
If you have difficulty accessing an OpenBook page, lesson, form, document, or feature, please contact us. Tell us what you were trying to access and what barrier you encountered. We will use that information to investigate the problem and work toward a reasonable solution.
Contact OpenBook Support