Technology
Web accessibility and WCAG for public agencies
The technical standard behind accessibility requirements, what it covers, and how agencies achieve and maintain conformance.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, published by the World Wide Web Consortium, are the international standard for accessible web content. Federal rules under the Americans with Disabilities Act adopt WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the standard for state and local government web content and mobile applications.
Structure
WCAG is organized around four principles: content must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Each principle has guidelines, and each guideline has testable success criteria at three levels: A, AA, and AAA. Level AA is the common legal and contractual target.
What Level AA requires, in brief
- Text alternatives for non-text content
- Captions and audio descriptions for media
- Content that adapts to different presentations and is distinguishable, including color contrast minimums
- Full keyboard operability and no keyboard traps
- Enough time and no seizure-inducing content
- Navigable structure: headings, focus order, link purpose, and multiple ways to find pages
- Readable, predictable content with input assistance for forms
- Compatibility with assistive technologies
Scope for agencies
Websites, web applications, mobile apps, and documents delivered through them, including content provided by vendors. Limited exceptions exist and should be read carefully.
Achieving conformance
- Audit with automated tools, then manual testing including screen readers.
- Fix templates and components first; they propagate.
- Remediate high-traffic services and forms.
- Address documents, which are usually the largest backlog.
- Publish an accessibility statement and a feedback channel.
Maintaining it
Accessibility regresses without process. Require conformance in procurement and verify at acceptance. Train content authors. Include accessibility checks in delivery pipelines. Re-audit periodically.
Beyond compliance
Accessible sites are easier for everyone to use, including staff on older devices and residents on mobile connections. The work benefits every user.