Free Tools and Guides for Digital Accessibility
NAGW is committed to accessibility and providing valuable resources to help everyone achieve their accessibility goals. Below is a list of free tools and resources categorized for your convenience. Check back often, as we will continue to update this list with new tools and information.
For even more in-depth guidance, including a library of accessibility templates, webinars, and Fireside Chats, consider joining NAGW. As a member, you'll gain access to exclusive resources designed to help government web professionals navigate digital accessibility with confidence.
New DOJ Guidance on Digital Accessibility
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a new rule to ensure the accessibility of web content and mobile apps provided by state and local governments. To help organizations understand and implement these requirements, the DOJ has published key resources:
- Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps – A summary of the new rule outlining compliance requirements and key deadlines.
- First Steps Toward Compliance – A practical guide for state and local governments on how to begin addressing accessibility under the new rule.
PDF Accessibility
- The Complete Guide to Creating ADA-compliant PDFs - https://accessibe.com/blog/knowledgebase/ada-compliant-pdfs
Policy and Planning
- Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Government Entities: A Small Entity Compliance Guide - https://www.ada.gov/resources/small-entity-compliance-guide/
- Fact Sheet: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities - https://www.ada.gov/resources/2023-07-20-web-nprm/
- Comments: Fact sheet
- ADA Title II Compliance: The ADA Book - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHm8zn999QkUQLE3uTZ_7RyfmzDKEvMwq
- Comments: Free and paid resources; compliance, planning (including project planning template), etc.
- Example Accessibility Plan - https://docs.google.com/document/d/14wfAMtsZnTigtR-fUBVaxIGg08o_ohqm7G6-Ju5RRjI/edit
- Example Technology Accessibility Statement - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VvYDwKB0WxpapDmKbrXMVfa2bXdLwjnRV7TSeahOVfg/edit#heading=h.hgeiva6ok5h8
- Comments: In Colorado we have a requirement to display an accessibility statement on our website. Not sure if part of DOJ ruling or not.
- Example: The City of Englewood's Digital Accessibiltiy Plan - https://www.englewoodco.gov/home/showdocument?id=31584
- Example VPAT for government - https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/file/2021/06/City-of-Boston-VPAT-Accessibility-Report.pdf
Testing and Evaluation
- Accessibility Tools List - https://www.a11yproject.com/resources/#development-tools
- ANDI (Accessible Name & Description Inspector) - https://www.section508.gov/training/web-software/andi-training-videos/overview/
- Pros: Another key tool for testing in-house developed applications. ANDI helps validate accessibility attributes and detect areas for improvement in user interfaces.
- Check your WCAG Compliance - https://www.a11yproject.com/checklist/
- Pros: Free
- Colour Contract Checker - https://colourcontrast.cc/
- Comments: Browser plugin available: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/colour-contrast-checker/nmmjeclfkgjdomacpcflgdkgpphpmnfe?pli=1
- Colour Contrast Analyzer (CCA) - https://www.tpgi.com/color-contrast-checker/
- Pros: Free
- Editoria11y Accessibility Checker - https://editoria11y.princeton.edu/
- Pros: Plugs into several CMS systems and it's free
- WAVE Browser Plugin - https://wave.webaim.org/extension/
- Pros: Free
- Cons: Can only scan one page at a time
- NVDA Screen Reader - https://www.nvaccess.org/download/
- Pros: Free open source tool that simulates the experience of screen reader users to test acessibility of documents and webpages.
- Comments: Free
Training and Education
- Accessibility Training Modules w/completion certification - https://frontier.siteimprove.com/
- Comments: Replaces Siteimprove Academy; pricing/pricing model unknown
- Training Tools, Tools & Events - https://www.section508.gov/training-home/#Onlinetraining
- Digital Accessibility Isn’t Optional: Practical ADA Compliance for Government Communicators - Download Presentation (PDF)
Web Accessibility Best Practices
- A beginner’s guide to manual accessibility testing - https://blog.pope.tech/2023/03/01/a-beginners-guide-to-manual-accessibility-testing/
- Making Web Accessible Maps - https://guides.lib.virginia.edu/c.php?g=1248895
- Data Visualization Accessibility - https://mn.gov/mnit/about-mnit/accessibility/data-visualization/
- Guide to Accessible Web Services Accessibility for Product Owners and Project Managers Accessibility for Product Owners and Project Managers - https://oit.colorado.gov/standards-policies-guides/guide-to-accessible-web-services/accessibility-for-product-owners-and
- Accessibility Resource Library - https://atendesigngroup.com/aten-accessibility-resources-library-0
- Accessibility Core Skills for City of Waco Web Content Managers - https://www.waco-texas.com/Training/Accessibility-Core-Skills
- WTAF is WCAG? - WTAF is WCAG? New video series launched!
- Pros: free
- Chatbot Accessibility Playbook - https://www.section508.gov/manage/playbooks/#chatbot-accessibility-playbook
- Pros: free
