Accessibility requirements in public IT tenders (WCAG, EN 301 549, Section 508)

Accessibility is now a standard requirement in public IT tenders for websites, apps and software. In many places it's the law for public bodies, and buyers pass that duty on to suppliers.

The standards you'll see

• WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines): the international standard. Most buyers ask for version 2.1 or 2.2, at level AA.
• EN 301 549: the European standard for accessible ICT, which includes WCAG and adds rules for software, documents and hardware. It's used across the EU and has been adopted as a Canadian standard (CAN/ASC-EN 301 549) that federal ICT buying refers to.
• Section 508: the US federal rule, which also references WCAG 2.0 AA.
• National and provincial laws: such as the Accessible Canada Act and provincial laws like Ontario's AODA, the European Accessibility Act, and the UK's public sector accessibility regulations.

What buyers ask for

• Conformance with WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 AA for everything you build or supply.
• An accessibility conformance report (ACR), often using the VPAT template, for software products.
• Your testing approach, including automated tools, manual testing and testing with assistive technology.
• Accessibility statements for public websites.
• Training for the buyer's staff so content stays accessible.

How to answer an accessibility question

Use the four-part structure:

1. Commit: "Every page and component we deliver will meet WCAG 2.2 AA, confirmed by an independent audit before launch."
2. Explain how: accessible design system, automated checks in every build, manual keyboard and screen reader testing each sprint, testing with disabled users in discovery and beta, and fixing issues before release.
3. Prove it: past audits passed, accessible services you've built, and staff with accessibility certifications.
4. Show the benefit: services that more residents can use, and legal compliance for the buyer.

For software vendors

If you sell a product, have a current ACR ready, be honest about known gaps, and include a roadmap for fixing them. Buyers increasingly check the claims.

Common questions

What is WCAG 2.1 AA?

It's the middle level of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, covering things like text alternatives for images, keyboard access, colour contrast, captions and clear structure. Most public buyers require it.

What is a VPAT?

A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template is a document format that vendors use to report how a product meets accessibility standards. The completed document is called an accessibility conformance report.

Do accessibility requirements apply to internal government systems?

Often, yes. Many rules cover systems used by public employees as well as the public.