Digital Accessibility

All resources on this page are free. Resources are subject to change.

What is the state requirement?

• Digital Accessibility Policy | WaTech
  • Who is WaTech?
    • WaTech is a Washington state agency that sets the standard for state government agencies.
    • Their Digital Accessibility Policy is called "USER-01," and was previously called "OCIO Policy #188," so you may see that previous name in older documents. We recently helped renew and revise this policy.
    • it is important to continue to include community voices, especially by those impacted by accessibility as those closest to the problem are closest to the solution. If you are interested, please contact us at access@equity.wa.gov.
• These guidelines are called the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and called WCAG (pronounced “wick-Ahg”) for short. Specifically, Washington state agencies are currently required to meet WCAG 2.1 AA.
  • The “2.1” refers to the version of WCAG. The first version of WCAG was 1.0.
  • “AA” refers to the level of criteria.
  • We will incorporate components from new versions, such as WCAG 2.2, as they are developed and consider our capacity as well as the voices of people with disabilities.

What's the federal requirement?

• Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments | ADA.gov

Find Resources

Microsoft Accessibility Checker

• Learn how to use the Accessibility Checker built into Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and more!
  • Improve accessibility with the Accessibility Checker - Microsoft Support

• Alt Text

  • Tips: WebAIM: Alternative Text

  • How do I know if I need alt text?

    • An alt Decision Tree | Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) | W3C

• Color Contrast

  • WebAIM: Contrast Checker
  • Improve accessibility with the Accessibility Checker - Microsoft Support
  • Accessible color palette builder (toolness.github.io)

• Descriptive Links

  • WebAIM: Links and Hypertext - Link Text and Appearance

• Plain Language

  • Flesch-Kincaid: Get your document's readability and level statistics - Microsoft Support
  • List of plain language alternatives: Use simple words and phrases
  • Plain Language Quick Reference Guide
  • View our full page on Plain Language | Office of Equity
• Courses from the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges
  • Free modules - Web Accessibility: SBCTC's Library of Accessibility Resources

Disability Inclusion Network

• Digital Accessibility | Disability Inclusion Network BRG

Watch the workshop

• Video of November 2024 presentation from DIN BRG followed by Office of Equity's Digitally Accessible PowerPoints presentation.
• Disability Inclusion Network and Digitally Accessible Presentations – November 2024

Find Community

Join Digital Accessibility Community of Practice

• Email DEI@WaTech.gov
• This collaborative community is open to all current Washington state employees.

Advanced Resources for Web Developers and Accessibility Testers

• ANDI - Accessibility Testing Tool - Install from Social Security Administration (federal government agency)
• WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools from WebAIM (non-profit)
• WebAIM: Web Accessibility for Designers

• Screenreaders for Testing

  • NV Access | Download NVDA
    • This is an open-source screen reading software. It is free, and takes practice to learn how to use it.
• If you are a state employee, use of these resources may need approval from your agency.

Quick Reference

• WebAIM: Quick Reference - Web Accessibility Principles