Visitors to the Lake County Schools website will start to see something new.
The web address, lake.k12.fl.us, will remain the same for now. But the district and school web pages in Lake County are changing to enhance accessibility to online information for users with disabilities. The new pages are expected to launch within a week.
The existing website and the new one have been operating simultaneously since May, allowing staff to test its functions while giving stakeholders a chance to learn the navigation and feel of the new site.
Some pages on the new site will remain under construction while staff continues to transfer content. But stakeholders with physical impairments should experience an immediate improvement once the site launches, as it will support assistive technology to make it easier to access content.
Previously, the district used software that only identified accessibility issues. Staff was then tasked with fixing each issue manually. It was a time-consuming effort that exceeded the district’s personnel capacity. The new site, hosted by Finalsite, will use AudioEye software that not only identifies accessibility issues but also addresses any issues it finds.
The $60,143 annual cost for the new site was approved by the School Board in June last year. This cost will cover both the website and the ADA compliance services.
