West Raleigh WCAG Accessibility Ordinance

Technology and Data North Carolina 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 09, 2026 Flag of North Carolina

West Raleigh, North Carolina requires public-facing digital services provided by the City and city contractors to follow recognized accessibility practices. This guide explains how WCAG standards apply in West Raleigh, which offices handle compliance, how to report accessibility barriers, and practical steps for website owners, contractors, and residents. It summarizes official guidance, enforcement pathways, common violations, and how to request accommodations or remedies when content is not accessible.

Scope and Applicable Standards

The City of Raleigh applies its web accessibility statement and related policies to city websites, portals, and digital services, and it expects contractors delivering public services to meet recognized standards such as WCAG 2.1 AA. For the City accessibility statement see City accessibility[1].

Penalties & Enforcement

Official city sources for web accessibility guidance describe compliance expectations and reporting routes but do not specify civil fines or statutory monetary penalties for private websites on the cited page. Where specific fines or ticketing appear in other regulatory programs they are listed on those program pages; for web accessibility enforcement the cited City page does not list dollar amounts (not specified on the cited page).[1]

If you contract with the City, include accessibility clauses in your proposal and deliverables.

Key enforcement points:

  • Enforcer: City of Raleigh ADA Coordinator / IT Accessibility Team; complaints may be routed through the City accessibility contact listed on the official page.[1]
  • Inspections & audits: accessibility reviews are typically administrative and technical reviews conducted by City IT or the ADA office, not criminal inspections.
  • Monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page; the City uses corrective remediation and contract remedies where applicable.[1]
  • Appeals & review: appeal processes for administrative decisions are handled per City procedures; specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited accessibility page (not specified on the cited page).[1]
  • Defences & exemptions: reasonable accommodations, staged remediation plans, and contractual variances may be available; any specific exemptions are handled through City administrative processes and are not itemized on the cited page.

Applications & Forms

No specific online form for web-accessibility enforcement or variances is published on the City accessibility page; to request accommodations or report barriers, use the contact methods listed on that page (no form number specified on the cited page).[1]

Report accessibility barriers early to preserve appeal and remediation options.

Common Violations

  • Missing or insufficient alt text for images.
  • Poor keyboard navigation and focus order.
  • Color contrast and unlabelled form controls.
  • Multimedia without captions or transcripts.

Action Steps for Compliance

  • Audit your site against WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria using automated tools and manual testing.
  • Create an accessibility statement and remediation plan and publish both on your site.
  • If content is inaccessible, contact the City accessibility contact or ADA Coordinator to report issues or request help.[1]
  • If contracted to provide city services, include WCAG conformance clauses and document testing evidence.

FAQ

Do private West Raleigh businesses have to follow WCAG?
State and federal disability laws may apply; the City requires its websites and contractors to follow accessibility guidance, but the City accessibility page does not list enforcement fines for private businesses (not specified on the cited page).[1]
How do I report an inaccessible city web page?
Use the City accessibility contact methods listed on the City accessibility page to submit a complaint or accommodation request.[1]
What standard should my site meet?
The City references recognized standards such as WCAG 2.1 AA for digital accessibility; confirm requirements in city contracts or solicitations.

How-To

  1. Run an automated accessibility scan against WCAG 2.1 AA.
  2. Perform manual keyboard and screen-reader tests for key user flows.
  3. Draft an accessibility statement and a prioritized remediation timeline.
  4. Notify the City accessibility contact if you are a city contractor or if the barrier affects city services.[1]
  5. Document fixes, retest, and publish results to show compliance steps taken.

Key Takeaways

  • City sites and contractors must follow WCAG best practices and city guidance.
  • Report barriers to the City accessibility contact to start remediation or accommodations.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Raleigh - Accessibility

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