Demystifying Web Accessibility for Nonprofits

If your nonprofit partners with government agencies, receives public grants, or offers services to the community, digital accessibility is no longer optional. Government partners must ensure their programs are open to everyone and they pass those strict requirements down to the nonprofits they fund. Even if your organization does not currently receive government funding, accessibility best practices can help you serve more people, improve user experience, and demonstrate your commitment to inclusion. Here is a simple breakdown of the rules you need to follow and how to achieve compliance.

Does This Apply to My Nonprofit?

You should review your website’s accessibility if you:

• Receive federal, state, or local government funding
• Operate programs under a government contract
• Provide services to the public through a website
• Accept online applications, registrations, or donations
• Publish PDFs, forms, reports, or other downloadable documents

Even organizations that are not directly required by a grant agreement are increasingly adopting accessibility standards to reduce barriers and better serve their communities.

The Policy: Why It Matters

Government entities must follow rules like ADA Title II and Nebraska’s NITC 2-101 standard. These rules state that public digital services must be fully usable by individuals with disabilities. These standards apply directly to government agencies, and they get passed down to you through your grant agreements and contracts. When you work with the government, these rules impact you in two ways:

As a Vendor: If you provide software or digital tools to a public agency, you must prove they are accessible by providing a VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template).   As a Grantee: If you manage public programs or take grant money, your public-facing forms, websites, and PDFs must meet the same strict standards as the government itself.

Not sure which one applies to you? It’s usually whoever signs the contract or grant agreement.

The Standard: What is WCAG 2.1 Level AA?

Most government accessibility policies and contracts use WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.1 Level AA as the benchmark for evaluating website accessibility. Think of it as a building code for the internet. To pass, your website must be built on four core principles:

1. Perceivable (Everyone can see or hear it)

• • Alt Text: Every image has a text description so screen readers can read it to blind users.
  • Captions: All videos have accurate captions for the deaf or hard of hearing.
  • High Contrast: Text colors stand out sharply against the background so they are easy to read.

2. Operable (Everyone can navigate it)

• • Keyboard Only: A user can navigate your entire site, fill out forms, and click buttons using only a keyboard (no mouse required).
  • No Traps: Users won’t get stuck inside a pop-up window or form field.
  • Clear Structure: Headings and menus are organized logically.

3. Understandable (Everyone can make sense of it)

• • Predictable Pages: Links and buttons behave the way people expect.
  • Helpful Error Messages: If a user misses a required field on a donation form, the site clearly explains what went wrong and how to fix it.

4. Robust (It works with assistive technology)

• • Assistive Technology Compatible: Screen readers, text-to-speech tools, magnifiers, and other accessibility software can properly interpret and navigate your content.

What Happens If My Website Isn’t Accessible?

Accessibility concerns can create challenges for both users and organizations. Potential consequences include:

• Grant compliance issues
• Contract renewal complications
• Additional remediation costs
• Complaints from users who cannot access services
• Reputational concerns related to inclusion and equity

Most importantly, inaccessible content can prevent community members from accessing the programs and resources your organization exists to provide.

The Good News

The good news is that accessibility improvements do not usually require rebuilding an entire website. Most nonprofits begin with an accessibility audit that identifies barriers and prioritizes improvements. By addressing accessibility proactively, organizations can better serve their communities, meet grant and contract requirements, and ensure everyone has equal access to information, services, and opportunities.

A Quick Accessibility Self-Assessment

Think about your website and ask yourself:

☐ Can every page be navigated by using a keyboard?

☐ Do all images have alternative text?

☐ Are videos captioned?

☐ Are PDFs accessible to screen readers?

☐ Are form fields clearly labeled?

☐ Is text easy to read against its background?

☐ Can users complete key tasks without a mouse?

If you’re unsure about any of these questions, a professional accessibility review can help identify barriers, prioritize improvements, and provide a roadmap toward compliance.

Our Website Accessibility Review gives nonprofits clear, actionable recommendations so they can better serve their communities and meet accessibility requirements with confidence.

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