Accessibility
We use our California state websites to communicate with people. Our websites are usually the first place they go to for government information. It’s important to create websites and documents (web products) that are accessible to everyone who needs them.
Accessible websites and documents:
- Provide the same great experience for all users.
- Adjust to meet the needs of different users and situations.
In 2017, Assembly Bill (AB) 434 required all state agencies/departments to certify their website(s) as accessible by July 1, 2019. They were also required to post on their homepage a website accessibility certification stating that the website is designed, developed, and maintained to be accessible. Since 2019, state agencies/departments have had to continue to recertify their website(s) every 2 years.
Web Accessibility: Who’s responsible?
State agencies/departments and their contractors are responsible for making sure their public web products are accessible to everyone. This means that all roles involved in the development process of web products are accountable for incorporating accessibility, including:
- Product managers
- Content designers
- UX designers
- Visual designers
- Front-end developers
Visit Digital.gov’s Accessibility for teams for more information on how to embed accessibility and inclusive design practices into your team’s workflow.
State agencies/departments must also ensure their web products are in compliance with:
- Web Content Accessibility Guideline (WCAG) 2.2, Level AA success criteria
- Section 508 (29 U.S.C. 794d)
Visit our Web Standards Accessibility page to learn more about our accessibility policy, guidelines, and more.
Web Certification
To help maintain an accessible website, state agencies/departments must certify their website(s) as accessible every 2 years. Reference our certification timeline and criteria plan as a guide to help certify your website(s):
Web Certification resources
- Technology Letter 18-05
- State Administrative Manual (SAM) 4833.2 - Website Accessibility Certification
- Statewide Information Management Manual (SIMM) 25A – Information Technology Accessibility Resource Guide
- SIMM 25B – Website Accessibility Certification (DOCX) form
Accessibility Testing Tools
Testing for accessibility involves both manual and automated testing of web products. There are free automated testing tools available for developers and testers to use when testing for accessibility. The tables below list free manual and automated testing tools.
Manual tools
| Manual Tool Name | What to use it for |
| California Department of Technology (CDT) PDF Checklist | Use to check accessibility of PDF documents |
| California Department of Technology (CDT) PDF Checklist | Use to check accessibility of PDF documents |
| CDT Word Checklist | Use to check accessibility of Microsoft Word documents |
| CDT PowerPoint Checklist | Use to check accessibility of Microsoft PowerPoint documents |
| CDT Web Accessibility Checklist | Use to check accessibility of Websites and pages |
| Nonvisual Desktop Access (NVDA) | Use to check how visually impaired users interact with your web content. A great way to identify issues like missing labels, unclear navigation, inaccessible forms, and more. |
| Web Accessibilty in Mind (WebAIM) WCAG 2 Checklist | Use this checklist for implementing the most common accessibility principles and techniques for WCAG conformance. |
| Health and Human Services Accessibility Conformance Checklists | Use these checklists to check your documents for accessibility conformance. |
Automated tools
| Automated Tool Name | What to use it for |
| Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE) – browser extension | Use to check your web content accessibility and WCAG errors. |
| Siteimprove – browser extension | Use to check any multi-step form, dynamic content, or non-public page for accessibility issues. It also identifies WCAG 2.2 errors. |
| Silktide – browser extension | Use to test your webpage for common accessibility failures, including WCAG errors. You can select the WCAG conformance level. You can also choose to test for a device other than desktop. |
| AxeDev Tools – browser extension | Use to test your web pages/applications to identify and resolve common accessibility issues. |
| Lighthouse – browser extension | Use to check the performance, quality, and correctness of your website and web apps. |
Other tools
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) provides lists of additional tools. Visit W3C to explore more free tools:
Accessibility Resources
- Department of Rehabilitation: Web Accessibility Toolkit
- Office of Data and Innovation: Innovation Hub
- Product craft: accessibility
- World Wide Web Consortium
- California Commission on Disability Access (CCDA)
- Americans with Disabilities Act
Contact us
Contact us via email at accessibility@state.ca.gov with any questions you have. We will do our best to help where we can.
Join us in building the statewide web resource you expect and deserve.
We encourage your feedback and suggestions!