Countdown to WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about accessibility

General Accessibility Questions

What is digital accessibility?

Why does accessibility matter?

What is WCAG?

What does "WCAG 2.1 Level AA" mean?

What laws apply to Illinois state agencies?

Isn't accessibility just an IT issue? Shouldn't the web team fix all these issues?

ICJIA-Specific Questions

Why does ICJIA need to worry about digital accessibility? What does the April 2026 deadline mean for us?

Why am I just hearing about this deadline now?

If this has been a requirement, why hasn't ICJIA been doing this all along?

I see the countdown timer. Is this for website compliance only?

I have so much on my plate already. Why do I need to worry about this now? Can't we just wait and discuss this later?

We should take this slow. Can't we present to executive staff first and see what they say before moving forward?

These FAQs and links are a lot to read. Are there other ways to learn about compliance requirements?

How does digital accessibility fit into ICJIA's commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) — and how does it enhance our mission?

Illinois-Specific Requirements (IITAA)

What is the IITAA?

Who must comply with the IITAA?

What does the IITAA cover?

When did the current IITAA standards take effect?

Where can I get IITAA training?

Who do I contact with IITAA questions?

ADA Title II Web Rule

What is the ADA Title II web accessibility rule?

When must we comply with the ADA Title II rule?

Does ADA Title II apply to internal documents?

What content is covered by the ADA Title II rule?

Are there any exceptions to the ADA Title II rule?

Website Accessibility

How do I test my website for accessibility?

What are the most common website accessibility issues?

What color contrast ratio is required?

Do I need to caption all videos?

What about third-party widgets and embedded content?

Do embedded dashboards and maps (like Tableau or ArcGIS) need to be accessible?

Content Accessibility (Documents, PDFs, Presentations)

What about photos ICJIA takes at events — like speeches or awards ceremonies? Do those need to be accessible?

How long should alt text be?

How do I handle complex images like charts, graphs, or infographics?

Who should write the alt text for photos?

Are captions the same as alt text?

Do all documents need to be accessible?

How do I make a Word document accessible?

How do I make a PDF accessible?

Is Canva accessible?

How do I make Excel spreadsheets accessible?

How do I make PowerPoint presentations accessible?

Social Media Accessibility

Procurement and Third-Party Tools

What should I do when purchasing software or services?

What is a VPAT?

What contract language should I use?

Getting Help

Illinois Resources

Federal Resources

Free Testing Tools

Still have questions?

If you couldn't find the answer you're looking for, please visit the ICJIA Contact page for additional support.