WCAG Requirements for Newport News City Contractors

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

Newport News, Virginia requires city contractors to meet web and digital accessibility expectations when delivering services or products to the city. This guide explains where accessibility obligations appear in local procurement and code sources, how the city enforces those obligations, practical steps contractors should follow to meet WCAG standards, and where to find forms, contacts, and complaint pathways. Contractors working for Newport News should plan accessibility into bids, technical deliverables, and maintenance contracts to avoid corrective orders and ensure equal access for residents and users.

Overview of WCAG obligations for contractors

The City’s procurement terms and municipal code set the contractual and regulatory context for accessibility obligations; contractors must follow applicable accessibility standards specified in solicitations and contracts and any referenced city IT or procurement policies. For consolidated text of city ordinances and ordinances referenced by city departments, see the municipal code and procurement terms. Municipal Code[1]

Include accessibility in proposals and technical statements of work.

Penalties & Enforcement

The municipal code and typical procurement terms assign responsibility for compliance to the contracting vendor and to the city department managing the contract. Specific monetary fines or daily penalty amounts for WCAG noncompliance are not specified on the cited municipal code page; enforcement focuses on contract remedies and code compliance processes. Municipal Code[1]

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; see contract clauses for fee or liquidated damages language.[1]
  • Escalation: first‑notice, cure period, contract breach and termination are typical; exact ranges not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Non‑monetary sanctions: corrective orders, requirement to remediate defects, withholding of payment, suspension or termination of contract, and referral to code enforcement or legal counsel.[1]
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway: the city department holding the contract (e.g., Purchasing or the requesting department) and Code Compliance/Legal counsel handle enforcement; file complaints via the department contact listed in the contract or city procurement pages (see Resources below).
  • Appeals and review: appeals generally follow procurement protest procedures or administrative review in the contract; time limits are governed by the solicitation or procurement code and are not specified on the cited municipal code page.[1]
Check each solicitation and contract for specific cure periods and protest deadlines.

Applications & Forms

No single city form for WCAG certification is published on the cited municipal code page; accessibility requirements are typically enforced via contract provisions, technical acceptance checklists, or IT policy attachments in solicitations. If a solicitation requires a compliance affidavit or accessibility conformance report, the solicitation will name the form or required deliverable.[1]

Practical compliance steps for contractors

  1. Review the solicitation and contract attachments for explicit accessibility requirements (WCAG 2.1 level AA or other standard).
  2. Build accessibility into design and development: semantic HTML, ARIA, keyboard support, and color contrast testing.
  3. Provide documentation: accessibility conformance reports (ACR), remediation plans, and test evidence (automated and manual).
  4. Allow time for remediation: include cure period and acceptance testing in project schedules.
  5. Budget for ongoing accessibility maintenance and for addressing user-reported issues post‑launch.
Document accessibility testing and retain test artifacts for acceptance reviews.

Common violations

  • Missing alt text for images
  • Poor keyboard navigation or focus management
  • Insufficient color contrast for text and UI controls
  • Unlabeled form controls and inaccessible documents

FAQ

Do city contracts require WCAG conformance?
Contract requirements vary; many solicitations reference accessibility standards in attachments and require supplier attestations or acceptance testing evidence.
Who do I contact to report accessibility problems?
Report accessibility issues to the contracting department identified in your contract or to the City’s procurement or IT contacts listed in the Resources section below.
Is there a standard level to meet (WCAG 2.0 vs 2.1)?
The required WCAG version and level will be stated in the solicitation or contract; if not specified, ask the contracting officer for clarification.

How-To

  1. Read the solicitation and identify any accessibility clauses or attachments.
  2. Run automated accessibility scans and supplement with manual keyboard and screen reader tests.
  3. Produce an accessibility conformance report and remediation plan for deliverables.
  4. Submit required attestations or forms with your bid or proposal, if requested.
  5. Respond promptly to city corrective notices and follow the contract cure process.

Key Takeaways

  • Check each solicitation for explicit WCAG and acceptance-test requirements.
  • Document accessibility testing and keep remediation records.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Newport News - Code of Ordinances (Municipal Code)

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