Charlotte WCAG Website Accessibility Requirements

Technology and Data North Carolina 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 06, 2026 Flag of North Carolina

In Charlotte, North Carolina, municipal websites and digital services are expected to follow recognized accessibility standards so residents with disabilities can access public information and services. This guide summarizes the local legal framework, enforcement pathways, common violations, and practical steps for making or requesting WCAG-compliant web content for City of Charlotte sites and services.

Legal framework and scope

City of Charlotte websites operate within a framework that includes federal disability law (Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act) and municipal policies that reference recognized technical standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Municipal adoption and implementation details are managed by City departments and the designated ADA/Accessibility contact.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City enforces accessibility primarily through administrative complaint handling, remediation orders, and civil enforcement routes; specific financial penalty amounts in the municipal code for web accessibility are not specified on the cited municipal code page. City of Charlotte Code of Ordinances[2]

  • Enforcer: City ADA/Accessibility Coordinator and relevant department (e.g., ITS or Communications) handle coordination and remedial actions.
  • Inspection & complaint pathway: Individuals may submit accessibility complaints to the City ADA coordinator or the department hosting the site; see the City's accessibility contact and procedures.City Accessibility[1]
  • Fines: Not specified on the cited municipal code page; enforcement commonly focuses on correction rather than preset fines for web content.[2]
  • Escalation: The municipal code does not list a clear graduated fine schedule for web accessibility violations; escalation can include remedial orders, administrative actions, and referral to civil authorities.[2]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: remedial directives, requirements to update websites, court injunctions or civil litigation under federal ADA are possible remedies.
  • Appeals and review: Appeal routes are through the administrative procedures of the enforcing department and, where applicable, civil court; time limits for administrative appeals are not specified on the cited page.[2]
Complaints typically begin with the City's ADA/Accessibility contact or the department responsible for the site.

Applications & Forms

The City publishes contact and complaint procedures for accessibility issues; there is no separate published municipal "web accessibility certification" form on the referenced accessibility pages. To request accommodation or report a problematic page, use the City's accessibility contact channels and any published complaint form or email on the accessibility page.City Accessibility[1]

If you need a reasonable accommodation for City services, contact the ADA coordinator promptly.

Practical compliance steps

  • Inventory: Identify all public-facing pages and documents that require remediation.
  • Assess: Run automated and manual WCAG 2.1 AA checks and document failures.
  • Remediate: Prioritize fixes for navigation, headings, images, forms and keyboard access.
  • Publish: Update the accessibility statement and timelines for remediation.
  • Report & monitor: Provide channels for users to report issues and track resolution.

Common violations

  • Poor keyboard navigation and inaccessible interactive controls.
  • Images and documents without alternative text or accessible formats.
  • Insufficient color contrast and unreadable forms.

FAQ

Do City of Charlotte websites have to meet WCAG?
Charlotte applies recognized accessibility standards and addresses accessibility through City policy and federal obligations; specific WCAG adoption language varies by department.
How do I report an inaccessible page?
Report the issue to the City ADA/Accessibility contact or the department hosting the website using the contact methods on the City's accessibility page.
Are there fines for noncompliant web pages?
The municipal code pages cited do not list explicit fines for web accessibility; enforcement focuses on remediation and administrative or civil remedies where applicable.[2]

How-To

  1. Document the issue: note the page URL, browser, device, and a short description of the problem.
  2. Contact the City ADA/Accessibility channel or the site owner with your documentation.
  3. Request a timeline for remediation and ask for accessible alternatives in the interim.
  4. If unresolved, consider filing a complaint with the City's administrative office or pursuing federal remedies under the ADA.

Key Takeaways

  • Charlotte relies on federal ADA obligations and City accessibility policies to guide web accessibility.
  • Start remediation by reporting issues to the City's ADA contact and documenting the problem.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Charlotte Accessibility and ADA contact
  2. [2] City of Charlotte Code of Ordinances

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