Website Accessibility Waiver Process - Albuquerque
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, organizations that operate public-facing websites and seek a temporary or permanent waiver from local accessibility expectations should follow city procedures and consult the municipal ADA contacts early. This guide explains who oversees waiver requests, what documentation is commonly required, how enforcement and appeals work, and practical steps to apply or report noncompliance. It is intended for city departments, contractors, nonprofits, small businesses and web vendors working with Albuquerque municipal services.
Penalties & Enforcement
Albuquerque enforces accessibility requirements primarily through its ADA coordination and compliance processes rather than a unique website-specific fine schedule. Specific monetary fines or per-day penalty amounts for website accessibility waivers are not specified on the cited municipal ADA page. Enforcement focuses on correction, accommodation, and, when unresolved, administrative or legal remedies.
The City of Albuquerque designates an ADA Coordinator and provides an access-complaint pathway for Title II matters; contact details and initial procedures are published by the city on the ADA page[1]. For federal complaint routes under the ADA, the U.S. Department of Justice explains filing and timelines on its site[2].
- Fines: not specified on the cited page; the city page emphasizes remediation and coordination rather than published per-day fines.
- Escalation: initial correction requests, administrative orders, and referral to legal or courts if unresolved; specific escalation fees or graduated fines are not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: compliance orders, required remediation plans, corrective deadlines, or litigation in state or federal court.
- Enforcer: City ADA Coordinator and relevant department (e.g., IT, Purchasing, or department overseeing the service) via the city ADA contact page cabq.gov/ada[1].
- Appeals/review: internal reviews with the city and, separately, federal complaint options through the U.S. DOJ; statutory time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited city page, see the DOJ link for federal timelines ADA complaint filing[2].
Applications & Forms
- The city ADA page provides contact and complaint information; no dedicated "website accessibility waiver" form is published on the cited page.
- Documentation typically requested: accessibility evaluation or audit, reasons for the waiver, proposed remediation timeline, and any technical or undue-burden evidence.
- Fees and deadlines: not specified on the cited municipal page; any fees would be stated where the city posts a formal application or departmental rule.
How to Prepare a Waiver Request
Prepare a concise packet: a description of the website or page affected, technical barriers encountered, results of an accessibility audit (WCAG test results if available), justification for the waiver (temporary inaccessibility, legacy systems, or undue burden), and a remediation plan with timelines. Address the packet to the City ADA Coordinator and the department responsible for the service. Include vendor statements if applicable.
Common Violations
- Missing alt text on images, which prevents screen reader access.
- Poor keyboard navigation and focus order on interactive pages.
- Video or audio content without captions or transcripts.
- Forms with unlabeled fields or inaccessible error messages.
Action Steps
- Contact the City ADA Coordinator and submit documentation as instructed on the city ADA page cabq.gov/ada[1].
- Run or commission an accessibility audit (WCAG 2.1 AA recommended) and assemble remediation timelines.
- If denied or unresolved, review internal appeal options and consider federal complaint channels described by the DOJ ADA complaint filing[2].
- Budget for remediation; waivers are more likely to be temporary and conditioned on an agreed schedule.
FAQ
- Who can apply for a website accessibility waiver?
- Any city department, contractor, or private entity operating a public-facing website or providing services to the public in Albuquerque may request review by the City ADA Coordinator.
- How long does the waiver review take?
- The city page does not specify a standard review timeline; review times vary by complexity and documentation provided.
- Is there a published waiver form or fee?
- No dedicated waiver form or fee schedule for website accessibility is published on the city ADA page cited above.
How-To
- Gather documentation: audit reports, affected URLs, vendor statements and a proposed remediation schedule.
- Contact the City ADA Coordinator using the city ADA page instructions and submit the packet.
- Respond promptly to any city requests for clarification and implement interim accessibility fixes where feasible.
- If denied, follow the city review or appeal instructions and consider federal complaint options described by the DOJ.
Key Takeaways
- Early coordination with the City ADA Coordinator improves the chance of an accepted remediation plan.
- Provide clear audit evidence and a realistic timeline; waivers are typically temporary and conditional.
Help and Support / Resources
- City of Albuquerque - ADA Coordinator and complaint information
- City of Albuquerque Planning Department
- City of Albuquerque Information Technology