Inventory of Educational Products

This guide provides a framework for districts to systematically inventory educational products and evaluate their accessibility. By developing a consistent process, schools can ensure compliance with accessibility laws, streamline procurement decisions, and advocate for accessible materials from publishers.

Inventory Framework

Districts should establish clear guidelines and procedures for creating and maintaining an inventory of educational products.

Key steps include:

  • Identify all core instructional materials, including textbooks, e-texts, digital platforms, and supplemental resources.
  • Record critical metadata such as:
    • Title of product
    • Publisher name (including all imprints and brand names)
    • ISBNs or product IDs
    • Associated course(s) or grade level(s)
    • Format (print, ePub, PDF, web-based platform)
    • Accessibility compliance status (self-reported or verified)
  • Ensure the inventory process is repeatable each year, especially during curriculum adoptions or major updates.
  • Designate staff roles (CFO for procurement oversight, IT Director for digital platform compliance, AT Specialist for accessibility review, Principal/Superintendent for policy enforcement).

Portal for Inventory Tracking

Districts should explore creating or adopting a web-based inventory management tool to centralize tracking of materials.

Recommended features:

  • Ability to log ISBNs and product IDs for quick reference.
  • Dashboard to track accessibility compliance status across products.
  • Filtering options by publisher, course, or certification status.
  • Capacity for generating reports to share with school boards, state agencies, or compliance auditors.

The portal could also serve as a hub for cross-checking publisher claims against verified accessibility certifications.

Publisher Certification and Verification

Districts need a process to verify publisher claims about accessibility.

Steps to consider:

  • Develop a mechanism for districts to request Global Certified Accessible (GCA) certification or other third-party accessibility certifications.
  • Maintain a list of publishers and their imprint names to reduce confusion (e.g., one company may publish under multiple brand names).
  • Filter which publishers are GCA certified, and clearly flag uncertified ones.
  • Collect and maintain publisher contact information for direct communication on accessibility concerns.

Information Collection from Schools

When gathering data from schools, establish a clear scope of information collection:

  • Name of publisher
  • Course or subject area
  • Series title (if part of a larger program)
  • Complete set of ISBNs or product IDs associated with a curriculum adoption
  • Delivery format (print vs. digital, or blended)

This data should be uploaded to a centralized platform or website where it can be cross-checked against certification databases. A searchable database will allow districts to quickly determine whether adopted programs are compliant.

Database and Cross-Checking

Once collected, the information should be structured into a database that:

  • Links publishers, programs, and ISBNs with accessibility compliance data.
  • Identifies gaps in certification or unknown compliance status.
  • Enables comparison between publisher self-certification claims and verified certification.
  • Allows for reporting at both the district and state level.

Over time, this database can serve as a shared resource across districts, reducing duplication of effort and strengthening accountability for publishers.

Implementation Roles

  • CFO: Oversees purchasing compliance and ensures contracts prioritize accessibility.
  • IT Director: Confirms digital platforms and tools meet accessibility standards.
  • Superintendent/Principal: Aligns procurement and curriculum decisions with accessibility policies.
  • AT Specialists: Review technical accessibility (e.g., screen reader compatibility, MathML support) and advise on accommodations.

Outcome and Benefits

By implementing a structured inventory framework, districts will:

  • Gain full visibility into educational products and their accessibility status.
  • Build leverage when negotiating with publishers.
  • Reduce the risk of adopting inaccessible instructional materials.
  • Ensure compliance with accessibility laws and protect student rights.

Next Steps

A Base Program Checklist will be added to this guide soon. This checklist will provide districts with a step-by-step tool for evaluating products, ensuring consistent review, and standardizing reporting across schools.

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