Salem City WCAG Accessibility Checklist

Technology and Data Oregon 3 Minutes Read · published February 20, 2026 Flag of Oregon

Salem, Oregon public websites must meet WCAG expectations to ensure access for people with disabilities. This checklist explains practical steps for city departments, contractors, and public-facing sites in Salem, Oregon, how to document compliance, where to report barriers, and which offices handle enforcement and remediation.

Scope & Key Standards

This guide references the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA as the working standard for public-sector sites and apps. Use automated scans combined with manual testing for keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, color contrast, and semantic markup. For legal context, review the city code and administrative policies linked below in Help and Support / Resources. Salem municipal code[1]

Baseline Compliance Checklist

  • Run an initial WCAG 2.1 AA audit (automated + manual).
  • Prioritize fixes by public-facing pages and essential services (permit portals, payments, forms).
  • Implement semantic HTML, ARIA where appropriate, and keyboard focus management.
  • Budget recurring accessibility testing and remediation into procurement contracts.
  • Include accessibility requirements (WCAG 2.1 AA) in vendor contracts and acceptance tests.
Start with the highest-impact pages: service portals, forms, and emergency information.

Penalties & Enforcement

Salem does not publish a city-specific monetary fine schedule for web accessibility in the municipal code section linked below; financial penalties for inaccessible websites are not specified on the cited page.Municipal code[1]

If a specific municipal penalty for website accessibility is required, the city will publish it in the governing code or administrative rule.

Enforcement and oversight for accessibility-related complaints involving city services are handled administratively by the City of Salem’s ADA coordinator and relevant department (for example, Development Services or Information Technology). To file an accessibility concern with the city, contact the ADA coordinator or the department responsible for the service; an official contact page is available from the City of Salem.ADA coordinator contact[2]

  • Escalation: first administrative notice and remediation request; repeat or continuing issues may lead to further administrative action or referral to legal counsel (specific escalation timelines not specified on the cited page).
  • Appeal or review: follow the city’s administrative appeal process for departmental decisions; specific time limits for web-accessibility appeals are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary remedies: corrective orders, required remediation plans, vendor contract remedies, and public reporting; court action under federal ADA remains possible for private plaintiffs.

Common Violations & Typical Responses

  • Missing alt text on images — administrative request to correct and re-scan.
  • Poor keyboard navigation — remediation plan and verification testing.
  • Insufficient color contrast — prioritized fixes for essential pages.

Applications & Forms

No city-specific permit or application is published for web-accessibility compliance itself; remediation is generally handled through departmental processes and vendor contract management. For formal complaints or requests for accommodation, use the city ADA contact or departmental complaint channels listed in Resources below.[2]

How to Document Compliance and Report Issues

Keep records of automated reports, manual test results, remediation tickets, and acceptance test sign-offs. When reporting a barrier, include page URL, browser and assistive technology used, and screenshots or recordings.

Document fixes with dates, ticket numbers, and verification steps to show good-faith remediation.

FAQ

Who enforces web accessibility for Salem city websites?
The City of Salem’s ADA coordinator and the department that operates the affected service handle enforcement and remediation; federal ADA enforcement may apply for private complaints.
How do I report an inaccessible page?
Report to the department managing the page or use the City of Salem ADA contact; include URL, device, browser, and assistive technology details.
Are vendors required to deliver WCAG-compliant sites?
City procurement should specify WCAG 2.1 AA requirements in contracts; verify contract language before awarding and require acceptance testing.

How-To

  1. Run an automated WCAG audit of the site and export the report.
  2. Perform manual tests for keyboard navigation and screen-reader access on key pages.
  3. Open remediation tickets and assign priority to critical user journeys.
  4. Notify the city ADA coordinator or relevant department with evidence and remediation plan.
  5. Verify fixes and archive acceptance results for audits and procurement records.

Key Takeaways

  • Adopt WCAG 2.1 AA as the baseline and combine automated and manual testing.
  • Include accessibility requirements in vendor contracts and acceptance tests.
  • Report issues with evidence to the ADA coordinator and keep remediation records.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Salem municipal code - Code of Ordinances (library.municode.com)
  2. [2] City of Salem - ADA coordinator and accommodations (cityofsalem.net)

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