6-3201: Web Accessibility

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to and use of the County of Sacramento’s (the “County”) web content and mobile applications.

The County is committed to providing equal access to government services for individuals with disabilities and digital accessibility by complying with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 §1194.22, as amended (29 U.S.C. Section 794d), and California Government Code §11135.

Authority

Sacramento County Code of Ordinances, Volume I, Title 2, Chapter 2, Section 2.20.020 - 2.20.030 Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Officer’s Duties
Title II of the American with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) codified under 28 CFR 35
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 §1194.22, as amended (29 U.S.C. Section 794d).
California Government Code §7405
California Government Code §11135

Scope

This policy applies to:

Web content that a public entity provides or makes available, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements; and
Mobile apps that a public entity provides or makes available, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements. This policy does not apply to web content or mobile applications produced by affiliated groups that are not controlled or hosted by the County.

Definitions

Accessible: In compliance with WCAG 2.1, Level AA standards.

Contracted websites: Websites or web applications provided via a third-party vendor.

Developer: Anyone who builds the structure and functionality of Sacramento County websites or other digital assets.

Site editor: Anyone who creates or edits content on Sacramento County web sites or other digital assets.

Web content: The information and experiences available on the web, like text, images, sound, videos, and documents.

Mobile applications: Software applications that are downloaded and designed to run on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.

Policy

It is the policy of the County that all County web content and mobile applications shall meet web accessibility standards under Federal and State law.

Contracting Organizations

Departments or agencies that provide contracted websites or mobile applications shall ensure that such contractors deliver their products and services in compliance with the technical standards set by the WCAG 2.1, Level AA, as well as all applicable Federal and State law. Departments and agencies shall include language within vendor contracts that state:

Failing to comply with WCAG 2.1, Level AA or take significant steps toward doing so by April 24, 2026, shall result in consequences up to and including refund of purchase price and/or termination of the contract.
COUNTY strives to achieve web accessibility by complying with the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 §1194.22, as amended (29 U.S.C. Section 794d). County websites (and those provided by 3rd party service providers, aka CONTRACTOR) shall be designed based on standards from the Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to make web content accessible to people with disabilities.

Website Auditing

The County Department of Technology shall conduct periodic automatic and manual testing of all Sacramento County websites.

Remediation

All accessibility defects shall be remediated in a timely manner in order of severity. It is the responsibility of the site owner, content creator or site editor to implement the remediations.

Training

All newly hired developers and site editors shall be required to undergo comprehensive web accessibility training as it pertains to their role. Also, all developers and site editors shall be required to undergo such web accessibility training on a regular basis. The County Department of Technology shall be responsible for providing such training.

Reporting Issues

Each County department website must provide a contact method to report items or areas that are not accessible and/or request reasonable accommodation.

Known Limitations of this Policy

Individuals with disabilities access digital assets with widely varying sets of capabilities, software, and hardware. While this policy identifies the standard for County departments to present information so it is accessible for individuals with disabilities, this policy cannot anticipate every accessibility need, due to limitations of existing technology. There may be other circumstances, independent of technology that may limit accessibility of County websites. While every effort will be made, it is understood that creating accessible formats for some historical documentation and graphical renderings maintained by the County may be technologically unfeasible. In that case, every effort will be made to find an alternative method for conveying pertinent information.

Waivers to this Policy

Any requests for waivers to the policy shall be submitted to the Chief Information Officer. Requests for waivers must present a business case expressing that compliance would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program, or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. All requests for waivers must include a process to provide services or information in an alternate format.

Exceptions

In limited situations as outlined in § 28 CFR 35.201, some kinds of web content and content in mobile applications do not have to meet WCAG 2.1, Level AA. These exceptions include: (1) archived web content; (2) preexisting conventional electronic documents, unless such documents are currently used to apply for, gain access to, or participate in the public entity's services, programs, or activities; (3) content posted by a third party, unless the third party is posting due to contractual, licensing, or other arrangements with the public entity; (4) conventional electronic documents that are about a specific individual, their property, or their account and that are password-protected or otherwise secured; and (5) preexisting social media posts. Requirements. (28 CFR 35.201.). However, even if an exception applies, the County must provide individuals with disabilities with effective communication, reasonable modifications, and an equal opportunity to participate in or benefit from the County’s services, programs, and activities.

Compliance

Beginning April 24, 2026, the County shall ensure that its web content and mobile applications that it provides or makes available, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, comply with WCAG 2.1, Level AA unless the County can demonstrate that compliance with this section would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program, or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens.