Digital Accessibility

Digital properties at the City of Seattle must be welcoming to all people regardless of ability. This includes vision, hearing, dexterity, cognition, and more – whether permanent or temporary. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are an international standard that explains how to make web content accessible. Federal regulations require that City of Seattle web applications and content are compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Level 2.1 A and AA by April 26, 2027.

As this compliance date approaches, staff across all City departments are reviewing our web applications and content. We have identified all digital assets and are in the process of reporting on the progress of evaluation and, if necessary, remediation efforts.

While we strive to make all digital experiences accessible, some content may not yet fully meet accessibility standards. We are actively working to address these gaps as part of our ongoing commitment to access and inclusion. As they complete evaluations of web applications and content, staff will create Alternate Access Plans to address gaps and minimize barriers to equitable access.

For information on how the City of Seattle supports people with disabilities, visit the Americans with Disabilities Act web page. The City also adheres to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. This law protects you from discrimination based on your race, color, or national origin in city programs, services, or activities that receive federal funds.

On June 1, 2026, the City of Seattle rolled out a new Digital Accessibility Policy. This policy consolidates our accessibility rules and standards, a 2025 Mayoral Executive Order, and federal ADA requirements into a clear, consistent framework. View a summary of the new policy.

The policy aims to ensure everyone in Seattle can use and benefit from the City's digital tools and information. Yes, accessibility is required by law, but it's also simply the right thing to do. Creating accessible content is part of being an inclusive and welcoming city.

This policy applies to:

• Every City employee
• Vendors and contractors who work with us
• Partner organizations that create or support the City’s public-facing digital content or technology

Accessibility is a shared responsibility. If you create or manage City content or applications used by the public, accessibility is part of your job.

All City staff working on websites, apps, and other digital communication channels contribute to making these resources accessible. The Digital Engagement team regularly educates staff and invests in digital accessibility training to keep our content editors up to date with accessibility best practices.

View the Accessibility section of the City of Seattle Digital Style Guide for detailed guidance for our staff and vendors.

In 2023, Digital Engagement conducted the City’s first Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) for the Seattle.gov website. This global report format is generally used by technology vendors to outline how their product aligns with accessibility standards. The report provides a snapshot of the level of accessibility on the Seattle.gov website.

View the Report

Overall, the Seattle.gov website supports digital accessibility. We face challenges where maps and data dashboards are embedded in webpages. These types of software applications are not inherently accessible and require additional functionality to provide the information in an inclusive way.

Below is a summary of the findings for nine audience types outlined in the Federal Government's Section 508 Standards:

We have made significant improvements based on detailed results of the 2023 report, remediating the remaining Seattle.gov issues that were discovered through the VPAT process but not immediately addressable. Additionally, the Digital Engagement Team began to practice accessible-first development. These efforts include: 

• A custom feature in our content management system requiring content editors to include alt text on images.
• A custom feature in our content management system that removes empty HTML tags when publishing a web page.
• Standardization for repeatable patterns and findability.
• While not a strict legal requirement, work to resolve Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 AAA issues on Seattle.gov. 

• Utilize the Citywide digital accessibility workgroup to cascade ongoing accessibility training and guidance within City departments. 
• Continue to leverage automated and manual testing for web applications using assistive technology, which uncovers accessibility errors we would otherwise miss.
• Include digital accessibility evaluation in the technology procurement process to ensure that third-party vendors have delivered an inclusive product.
• Reach out to existing City vendors to bring their web applications into compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and Section 508.
• Work with the City's internal application developers to improve access to tools like maps and data dashboards. The use of an accessible color palette and alternative displays described in our design system will be an improvement.
• Ensure that content editors across the City are creating and evaluating their digital content updates for accessibility.
• Adhere to Citywide standard designs for all web applications to provide a consistent experience for the public.