COSPRA Podcast | Accessibility in School Communications

Accessibility is not an add on. It is a responsibility.

In this episode of the COSPRA podcast, we explore what accessibility truly means in school communications and why it matters for every student, family, and community member we serve. From digital content and social media to video, audio, and written communications, this conversation breaks down how accessibility intersects with equity, compliance, and trust.

Our panel discusses practical strategies for creating more inclusive communications, common accessibility gaps school districts face, and how small, intentional changes can make a meaningful impact. Listeners will also hear real world examples, lessons learned, and actionable takeaways that communications professionals can apply immediately, regardless of district size or budget.

Whether you are just beginning your accessibility journey or looking to strengthen existing practices, this episode offers clarity, guidance, and encouragement to keep accessibility at the center of your communications work.

Key topics include:

What accessibility means in K 12 school communications

Common challenges and misconceptions

Digital accessibility for video, audio, and social content

Practical steps communicators can take right now

Why accessibility is essential to trust, inclusion, and engagement

This episode is a must listen for school communicators committed to ensuring every learner and every family can access the information they need.

Welcome to the newest season of the COSPRA Podcast! We’re kicking things off with a Hot Topic that every communications professional should be paying attention to, social media. In this episode, Javier and Hannah from Denver Public Schools break down their presentation, “Gen Z Is Watching,” exploring how the next generation consumes, creates, and challenges content online. From algorithms to authenticity, this candid conversation dives into what works, what’s outdated (sorry, flyers), and how to connect with students and families in a digital-first world.

Jennifer Dericco is from California, but she's served an important role supporting COSPRA as the NSPRA Southwest Vice President. She joined us at Camp COSPRA and spoke about the benefits of both the local chapter and our parent, the National School Public Relations Association.

NSPRA's Communicator of the Year, Dirk Tedmon, APR, joined us at Camp COSPRA. He serves as the executive director of marketing and communications for Eden Prairie Schools in Eden Prairie, Minn.  and spoke about how sharing his own story has helped him to share the stories of others in his district's community.

Rick Kaufman has helped to respond to countless emergency situations, starting with the tragedy at Columbine High School. During Camp COSPRA he shared his experiences with COSPRA members.

Colorado Commissioner of Education Dr. Susana Córdova knows the importance of public education first-hand and believes the stories being told by school districts across the state are the best way to educate Coloradans about the work being done in our classrooms and its impact on students. As she shared, when she sat down with us for the podcast, that is why she and her team at the Colorado Department of Education are focused on lifting up and promoting these stories at the state-level.

COSPRA members asked for more information about Colorado open records law and how to protect our logos, so we pulled in some friends from Caplan and Earnest and Sheridan Ross to get some legal advice on these topics.

COSPRA members talk about the benefits of the NSPRA Seminar and share what they took away from last summer's conference.