Raleigh City Website Accessibility Testing

Civil Rights and Equity North Carolina 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 08, 2026 Flag of North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina requires city departments to maintain accessible digital services. This guide explains testing approaches for municipal websites, who enforces accessibility, how residents and staff report barriers, and practical next steps for compliance and remediation. It summarizes official responsibilities, typical tests and tools, complaint pathways, and what to expect after a report is filed. The goal is to help municipal teams, contractors and the public understand processes for verifying conformance and resolving accessibility issues on Raleigh city web properties.

Testing scope and standards

Raleigh departments generally measure web accessibility against recognized standards such as WCAG 2.1 and applicable federal guidance; specific conformance levels and testing requirements are maintained by city IT and equity offices. Automated scans, manual review, keyboard-only testing, and assisted-technology validation are typical components of an accessibility testing program. For official statements about the citys approach to web accessibility, see the city accessibility resources.[1]

  • Automated audits with periodic re-scans.
  • Manual keyboard and screen reader checks.
  • Remediation sprints for high-impact pages.
  • Regular testing schedule tied to major releases.
Use a mix of automated and human testing for reliable results.

Penalties & Enforcement

Raleighs official pages describe responsibilities for accessible services and points of contact but do not list specific municipal fines or administrative penalties for inaccessible websites on the cited pages; monetary fines and enforcement procedures are not specified on the cited page.[1] Where remedies exist, they typically involve orders to remediate, negotiated timelines, and escalation to legal or procurement remedies rather than preset per-day fines unless referenced in a specific code section, which is not specified on the cited page.[2]

  • Enforcer: Civil Rights & Equity or the citys designated ADA coordinator for complaints and compliance.
  • Inspection/Investigation: Accessibility intake and technical review by city staff or contractors.
  • Fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary orders: remediation directives, timelines, and possible procurement or contract hold actions.
  • Appeals: administrative review or judicial challenge is via the city or civil process; specific time limits are not specified on the cited page.

Applications & Forms

There is no specific published permit or fee form for website accessibility testing listed on the citys public accessibility resource pages; if a formal complaint form is required it will be available through the Civil Rights & Equity intake or the citys service request system, which are referenced on official pages.[1]

Common violations and typical responses

  • Missing alt text for images  remediation required and retest.
  • Poor keyboard focus order  code changes and verification.
  • Insufficient color contrast  design update and validation.
Most accessibility issues are fixable through targeted content or template updates.

Action steps

  • Report a barrier to the citys accessibility contact or service portal immediately.
  • Run automated scans and open tickets for remediation in the CMS or issue tracker.
  • If directed, comply with remediation orders and submit evidence for re-review.
  • If unhappy with outcomes, request administrative review or consult the Civil Rights & Equity office.

FAQ

Who enforces website accessibility for Raleigh city sites?
The Civil Rights & Equity office and the citys ADA coordinator handle complaints and coordination; technical testing may be performed by IT or contracted vendors.[2]
How do I report an inaccessible page?
Report barriers through the citys accessibility reporting or service request channels; include page URL, device and browser, and a description of the barrier.[1]
Are there set fines for inaccessible websites?
No specific municipal fine amounts or per-day penalties for inaccessible web content are listed on the cited city pages; enforcement focuses on remediation and compliance timelines.

How-To

  1. Document the issue: capture the page URL, screenshots, browser and assistive technology used.
  2. Submit a report via the citys accessibility reporting form or service portal.
  3. Allow city staff to acknowledge receipt, perform technical review, and issue remediation tasks.
  4. Follow up if remediation is not completed within the provided timeline; request administrative review if necessary.

Key Takeaways

  • Accessibility requires both automated and manual testing for reliable results.
  • Report barriers promptly to the citys accessibility contact to start remediation.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Raleigh  Website Accessibility
  2. [2] City of Raleigh  Civil Rights & Equity

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