Digital Accessibility

On this page, we strive to list resources that have no cost or low cost, especially tools compatible with what people already have and use. We aim for this to support state workers who may be working under limited budgets, or facing other limitations. Additional resources exist outside of this page that may have additional cost and additional features/benefits. 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 technology 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 state documents. Our office 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. Before 2.0, 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?

Deadlines

  • April 2026 - This is the compliance deadline for WA State policy USER-01, which refers to the Accessibility Standard, USER-01-01-S, requiring a minimum level of compliance of WCAG 2.1 Level AA for the technology we present to customers (the public).
  • May 11, 2026 for the two HHS (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) rulings, which impacts internal as well as public-facing, for entities of 15 or more employees who receive any federal funding -- with some caveats.
  • July 1, 2026 - By this date, the Accessibility Standard requires a minimum level of compliance of WCAG 2.2 AA.
  • July 1, 2029 – In addition to the technology required to be accessible by April 2026, the policy requires content and tools that employees use to perform their job duties (internal) meet the same standard. This is the longer-term deadline under WaTech’s State Digital Accessibility Policy, which applies to internal employees-facing technology used by employees to perform job duties.
    • This anticipates future alignment with Title I of the ADA, should the DOJ issue a similar rule.
  • In Summary:
    • The immediate compliance date is April 2026 for content for the public.
    • The longer-term target is July 2029 for internal systems, or websites that state workers use to do their jobs.

Find Resources

Microsoft Accessibility Checker

Headings

Disability Inclusion Network

Watch the workshops

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

Quick Reference