The Clock is Ticking: Building your District’s Digital Accessibility Plan
Date: 7/20/2026
Time: 3:45 - 4:45 PM
Room: Grand Salon 9 & 12 (Floor 1)
Skill Session - Live lecture, panel discussion or interactive session with time for Q&A. 60-minutes.
PLANNING–Strategic communication planning and accountability
Session Description
By now, we have all dipped our toes into the digital accessibility pool; in fact, many of us are fully submerged. The WCAG 2.1 AA compliance deadline has been extended, but that doesn't mean we should slow down - the deadline will still be here before we know it. The unfortunate reality, however, is that the voices talking about this, while thankfully getting louder and more abundant, are still not loud enough; many districts still don’t understand the implications of the updated standards to which school districts are now legally bound.
No matter where you are in your digital accessibility journey, this session will help propel you forward. Rather than a technical deep dive, we’ll briefly explore what has changed in the standards, how broad the requirements truly are, and why this work cannot sit with your communications team alone. More importantly, we will focus on assessing your current state and identifying your gaps, asking the right questions and involving the right people, prioritizing action steps, and preparing to shift processes and mindsets … and you’ll leave with the tangible plan to hit the ground running in your district or organization.
Presenter(s)
Jillian Aykens
Communications Consultant
CESA 6
Jill Aykens is a communications strategist with more than two decades of experience helping school districts and systems communicate with clarity, purpose, and care. Her work focuses on building trust through thoughtful, strategic communication.
Currently serving as a communications professional with CESA 6, Jill partners with K-12 school districts across Wisconsin to develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies that support academic priorities, operational transparency, and meaningful connection with their communities. Her expertise includes strategic planning, proactive storytelling, community engagement, referendum and change communication, and most recently, digital accessibility. She is known for helping districts move beyond reactive communication toward intentional, values-driven narratives that reflect both excellence and authenticity.
Jill’s approach sits at the intersection of strategic thinking, storytelling, and human-centered leadership. She believes effective communication is not simply about sharing information, but about creating clarity and ensuring people feel informed, respected, and included. Her work emphasizes listening, alignment, and consistency, particularly in rural and suburban school communities where relationships and trust are foundational.
Through her work with districts, leadership teams, and professional organizations, Jill empowers districts, partners, and school communicators to find their voice, tell their stories with confidence, and lead with intention. LinkedIn Profile
The Clock is Ticking: Building your District’s Digital Accessibility Plan
Category
Skill Session - Live lecture, panel discussion or interactive session with time for Q&A. 60-minutes.