Learn Government Accessibility
Free courses to help you understand ADA compliance, implement accessibility solutions, and serve all community members.
Available Courses
Foundation A: Understanding WCAG 2.1 AA
Start here to understand the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines in plain language. You'll learn WCAG's structure, the POUR principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust), and why Level AA is the legal standard for government. This module explains the DOJ's ADA Title II rule and critical compliance deadlines: April 26, 2027, for jurisdictions with populations over 50,000, and April 26, 2028, for smaller entities. A reference guide shows which WCAG requirements apply to video content and where to find detailed guidance in the Academy.
3 lessonsStart LearningFoundation B: MediaScribe Platform Orientation
Before exploring specific accessibility features, learn how MediaScribe works. This module covers MediaScribe as a hardware Gateway Appliance that provides real-time captioning via SDI cable connections, integrates with broadcast systems like Cablecast, and covers initial setup. You'll get familiar with the Clerk Interface for managing live meetings and captions. You'll also learn how MediaScribe's preset configurations map directly to WCAG requirements, so you can choose settings that meet compliance goals without deep technical knowledge.
3 lessonsStart LearningPath 1: Captions
Captions are the foundation of video accessibility. This path teaches you how to provide text alternatives for audio content. You'll learn who needs captions—people who are deaf or hard of hearing, non-native English speakers, viewers in noisy environments, and others. You'll understand the difference between live and prerecorded captions, master quality standards like accuracy and timing, and build workflows that fit your existing operations. MediaScribe's real-time captioning tools help you implement what you've learned during live government meetings.
11 lessonsStart LearningPath 2: Audio Descriptions
Audio descriptions make visual information accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. This path teaches you when audio descriptions are required, how to write descriptions that convey essential visual content, and which implementation method works best for your situation. You'll learn practical decision-making for government video—based on visual content, which city council meetings need audio descriptions and which don't. MediaScribe's audio description workflow helps you meet WCAG Level AA requirements.
5 lessonsStart LearningPath 3: Visual Presentation
Visual choices affect accessibility. This path covers color contrast for video and captions, why color alone can't convey meaning, and how to prevent flashing content that can trigger seizures. You'll learn caption styling for readability, how to set up in-room caption displays for live meetings, and how to provide mobile-accessible captions through QR codes. These choices directly impact people with low vision, color blindness, and photosensitive conditions.
8 lessonsStart LearningPath 4: Video Player and Controls
Even perfect captions fail if people can't control the video player. This path teaches keyboard accessibility for people with motor disabilities and screen reader users, essential keyboard controls such as play/pause and seeking, and WCAG requirements for auto-play and audio controls. You'll learn how to choose accessible video players, embed video on government websites correctly, and ensure people can pause and control audio without disrupting assistive technologies.
5 lessonsStart LearningMediaScribe Narrate
Learn the MediaScribe Narrate workflow through a short demonstration video. You'll see how to upload your video, review AI-generated descriptions, make edits, and download accessible content—including automated options for Cablecast users.
1 lessonStart LearningSupplementary Resources
We've included some handy checklists and guides to help you get started and keep you on track with WCAG compliance.
5 lessonsStart Learning