Accessibility

Our Commitment to Accessibility

FlatWorld has been committed to digital accessibility since 2018, building a digital-first architecture for assistive technology long before regulations required it.

A Legacy of Equity (2018–Present)

FlatWorld has been at the forefront of digital equity since 2018, long before the current regulatory landscape took shape. Recognizing that high-quality, affordable course materials are only truly affordable if they are accessible to every student, FlatWorld transitioned to a digital-first architecture designed specifically for assistive technology.

While the April 26, 2026, DOJ rule mandates that public post-secondary institutions ensure their third-party digital platforms meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, FlatWorld has spent nearly a decade building toward this moment. Our platform is not patched for accessibility; it is architected for it.

DOJ April 2024 Final Rule: Compliance Statement

The DOJ’s final rule (28 CFR Part 35) establishes WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the technical standard for web content and mobile apps.

Proactive Alignment: FlatWorld currently meets the WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards required by the DOJ.
Institutional Support: We provide the necessary documentation (VPAT/ACR) and technical support to help our partner institutions meet their Title II obligations ahead of the 2026/2027 enforcement deadlines.
Equity of Experience: Our equal access philosophy ensures that a student using a screen reader or keyboard-only navigation receives the same pedagogical value and ease of use as any other student.

The Homework System:
Built for Inclusion

Unlike legacy systems that struggle to make STEM or Accounting problems accessible, FlatWorld rebuilt its homework system from the ground up. We utilize MathML for equations and have developed proprietary accessible table structures for accounting, ensuring that students in quantitative fields are never left behind.

Our Accessibility Mission and History

FlatWorld’s dedication to equity is rooted in our architecture. In 2018, we underwent a significant “digital-first” transformation, redesigning our online eReader and launching a Homework system built from the ground up for inclusion.

2018

2019

2020 - Present

A Foundation of Expertise:

To ensure our digital transformation was grounded in best-in-class standards, we collaborated with and received expert guidance from the Perkins School for the Blind. This early partnership allowed us to embed accessibility into our DNA, moving beyond “check-the-box” compliance to focus on true usability for the visually impaired.

Catalog-Wide Equity:

Building on the guidance received in 2018, we completed an extensive audit of our catalog, upgrading alt-text and long descriptions for thousands of images and adding closed captioning to all integrated video content.

Continuous Excellence:

We have maintained our momentum for equity through ongoing, human-led testing, ensuring that our platform remains a leader in WCAG 2.2 Level AA conformance.

LMS Integration (LTI)

FlatWorld supports seamless, accessible integration with Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, and Brightspace. This ensures that the Single Sign-On experience for students is barrier-free and remains within the institution’s secure, accessible ecosystem.

Our FlatWorld Team is Devoted to Ongoing Innovation

Accessibility is a floor, not a ceiling. FlatWorld continues to innovate in:

Screen-reader-optimized study tools (flashcards, SmartHelper, and chapter quizzes).
Offline accessibility through downloadable formats that retain navigational tagging.
Continuous Content Updates: We actively maintain the integrity of our digital-first catalog. We operate a continuous improvement loop, incorporating accessibility audits and user feedback from disability service offices to rapidly remediate and patch any identified content barriers in our active titles.