WCAG Requirements for Contractors - Fort Worth
In Fort Worth, Texas, contractors providing digital services or websites to the city must meet applicable accessibility standards and contractual obligations. This guide explains how WCAG ties into Fort Worth procurement and contracting, which city offices enforce compliance, steps contractors should follow to document conformance, and what to expect if the city finds accessibility failures. Use this as an operational checklist for bids, contracts, and vendor deliverables when working with the City of Fort Worth.
Scope and Legal Basis
The City of Fort Worth requires contractors to comply with applicable laws and city contract terms that address accessibility, non-discrimination, and usable public services. Where the city has an explicit web accessibility policy, contractors must follow that policy for city-facing websites and digital services. See the Fort Worth Code of Ordinances and the City Purchasing guidance for contracting requirements Fort Worth Code of Ordinances[1] and Fort Worth Purchasing[2].
Contractor Responsibilities
- Include accessibility deliverables and acceptance criteria in proposals and statements of work.
- Provide documentation of conformance such as WCAG test reports, VPAT or similar attestation, and remediation plans.
- Implement remedial fixes for defects reported during acceptance testing or after deployment.
- Maintain records of testing, user complaints, and remediation actions for the contract term.
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement for accessibility noncompliance for city contracts is governed by contract remedies and applicable city procurement rules. Specific monetary fines for accessibility breaches are not typically listed separately in the municipal code and are handled through contract remedies and administrative actions in most procurement frameworks.
- Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page.[1]
- Contract remedies: withholding payment, requirement to cure defects, or termination for breach per purchasing terms and contract clauses.[2]
- Non-monetary sanctions: corrective orders, remediation deadlines, or contract suspension/termination as set by contract administrators.
- Enforcer: Contracting Officer or Purchasing Division for procurement matters; see Purchasing contacts and complaint procedures.[2]
- Appeals and protests: procurement protest procedures and contract dispute resolution processes apply; specific time limits for protests are not specified on the cited Purchasing overview page.[2]
Applications & Forms
The city does not publish a universal accessibility "certification" form on the cited pages; contractors should follow solicitation instructions and attach required documentation (test reports, VPATs, change logs) when submitting bids or deliverables. For procurement forms and submission instructions see Purchasing resources.[2]
Testing, Acceptance and Documentation
Acceptance testing normally includes automated and manual WCAG checks, assistive-technology testing, and review of remediation plans. Contractors should supply:
- Automated scan results and remediation logs.
- Manual test reports describing conformance levels (for example, WCAG 2.1 AA) and test dates.
- Primary contact for accessibility issues during warranty and support periods.
Common Violations
- Missing text alternatives for images and controls.
- Poor keyboard navigation and focus management.
- Inaccessible forms and error messaging.
FAQ
- Does the City of Fort Worth require WCAG conformance for contractors?
- The city expects contractors to meet applicable accessibility requirements detailed in contract documents and procurement terms; confirm the required WCAG level in each solicitation.[2]
- Who enforces accessibility for city contracts?
- Contracting Officers and the Purchasing Division administer compliance and contract remedies; technical review may involve the city IT or accessibility coordinator.[2]
- What documentation should I submit to prove compliance?
- Submit WCAG test reports, VPAT or equivalent accessibility attestation, remediation plans, and contact information as required by the solicitation.
How-To
- Review the solicitation and identify the specified accessibility standard and acceptance criteria.
- Perform automated and manual WCAG testing and produce a written report detailing conformance gaps.
- Prepare a remediation plan with timelines and submit it with your deliverables or bid.
- If a noncompliance notice is issued, respond to the Contracting Officer with proof of fixes and a remediation schedule.
Key Takeaways
- Specify accessibility deliverables in proposals and contracts.
- Keep test records and remediation logs for the contract term.
Help and Support / Resources
- Fort Worth Purchasing Division
- Fort Worth Information Technology
- Fort Worth Code of Ordinances (municipal code)