{"id":46444,"date":"2025-09-29T11:39:40","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T10:39:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reciteme.com\/us\/?page_id=46444"},"modified":"2025-10-23T15:49:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T14:49:07","slug":"industry-report-digital-accessibility-in-us-government-sites","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/reciteme.com\/us\/resource-hub\/industry-report-digital-accessibility-in-us-government-sites\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital Accessibility in U.S. State Government Websites: A Benchmark Report"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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INDUSTRY REPORT<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Digital Accessibility in U.S. State Government Websites: A Benchmark Report<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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An Evaluation of 50 State Government Websites Against WCAG 2.2 Standards Prepared: July 2025<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Executive Summary<\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Equitable access to public services depends on accessible digital platforms. Our audit of all 50 official U.S. state government homepages against WCAG 2.2 Level AA highlights both the scale of the challenge and the opportunity ahead.<\/div>

While no state homepage achieved full conformance, several states demonstrated strong foundations and promising practices in areas such as semantic coding, readability, and clear navigation. These leaders, including Kentucky, South Carolina, and Minnesota, set valuable benchmarks for others to follow, proving that accessible, legally defensible, and user-friendly state websites are within reach.

Importantly, 57% of the issues identified across all 50 states are considered \u201cquick wins\u201d that can often be resolved with minor updates such as adding alternative text to images, labeling form inputs, or adjusting color contrast. Fixes like these can transform the experience for millions of citizens who rely on assistive technology, while improving usability for everyone.

Our findings underscore three key points:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEvery state has room to grow, but many already show encouraging progress.<\/b>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAccessibility isn\u2019t about perfection, it\u2019s about steady, sustainable improvement.<\/b>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMeaningful change is within reach today.<\/b>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThis report provides a clear picture of where state websites stand, what barriers matter most, and how small steps can create big impacts. With 2026 DOJ Title II deadlines approaching, states that take action now can demonstrate leadership, safeguard compliance, and most importantly ensure that every resident has equal access to essential public services online.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Key Findings<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t0% of state website homepages<\/span> passed WCAG 2.2 Level AA.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNo region<\/span> achieved consistent accessibility.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe top three issues are low contrast text, missing alternative text,<\/span> and unlabeled form inputs.<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe readability level was too advanced on 72%<\/span> of sites.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAn estimated 57% of errors are easily fixable<\/span> by making minor updates.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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DISCLAIMER<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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This report provides a benchmark overview of U.S. state government website homepages based on automated scans conducted in July 2025. Results reflect accessibility issues detectable by technology at the time of testing and are intended for informational purposes only. They should not be interpreted as a definitive statement of legal compliance.<\/p>

See Methodology & Scope<\/strong><\/a> for full details.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Top 20 Accessible State Websites<\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhile no state homepage achieved full WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance, some performed significantly better than others. This table highlights the top 20 performers, offering a baseline for other states to benchmark against.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Rank<\/td>\n State<\/td>\n A errors<\/td>\n AA errors<\/td>\n AAA errors<\/td>\n Readability<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
1<\/td>\n Kentucky<\/td>\n 1<\/td>\n 0<\/td>\n 1<\/td>\n Easy<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
2<\/td>\n South Carolina<\/td>\n 2<\/td>\n 0<\/td>\n 0<\/td>\n Intermediate<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
3<\/td>\n Ohio<\/td>\n 2<\/td>\n 3<\/td>\n 0<\/td>\n Advanced<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
4<\/td>\n Georgia<\/td>\n 5<\/td>\n 0<\/td>\n 2<\/td>\n Advanced<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
5<\/td>\n Colorado<\/td>\n 1<\/td>\n 3<\/td>\n 5<\/td>\n Advanced<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
6<\/td>\n Minnesota<\/td>\n 7<\/td>\n 0<\/td>\n 1<\/td>\n Intermediate<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
7<\/td>\n Iowa<\/td>\n 4<\/td>\n 1<\/td>\n 6<\/td>\n Advanced<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
8<\/td>\n Alabama<\/td>\n 10<\/td>\n 0<\/td>\n 1<\/td>\n Advanced<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
9<\/td>\n Texas<\/td>\n 9<\/td>\n 5<\/td>\n 10<\/td>\n Advanced<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n\n
10<\/td>\n Massachusetts<\/td>\n 3<\/td>\n 1<\/td>\n 16<\/td>\n Advanced<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
11<\/td>\n West Virginia<\/td>\n 11<\/td>\n 2<\/td>\n 14<\/td>\n Advanced<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
12<\/td>\n Arizona<\/td>\n 6<\/td>\n 12<\/td>\n 10<\/td>\n Advanced<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
13<\/td>\n Florida<\/td>\n 22<\/td>\n 4<\/td>\n 3<\/td>\n Advanced<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
14<\/td>\n Michigan<\/td>\n 30<\/td>\n 2<\/td>\n 38<\/td>\n Advanced<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
15<\/td>\n Hawaii<\/td>\n 5<\/td>\n 14<\/td>\n 49<\/td>\n Advanced<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
16<\/td>\n New Hampshire<\/td>\n 28<\/td>\n 1<\/td>\n 5<\/td>\n Advanced<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
17<\/td>\n Maine<\/td>\n 26<\/td>\n 2<\/td>\n 47<\/td>\n Advanced<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
18<\/td>\n Idaho<\/td>\n 16<\/td>\n 4<\/td>\n 56<\/td>\n Advanced<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
19<\/td>\n Indiana<\/td>\n 38<\/td>\n 4<\/td>\n 75<\/td>\n Intermediate<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n\n
20<\/td>\n Alaska<\/td>\n 12<\/td>\n 7<\/td>\n 24<\/td>\n Intermediate<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Note: These rankings have been established by combining counts across Level A\/AA\/AAA issues with readability level. Readability level is assessed using the following criteria:\u00a0<\/p>

Easy<\/b>: Equivalent to Grade 5\u20136, uses short sentences and common vocabulary. Accessible to children and adults with lower literacy levels<\/p>

Intermediate<\/b>: Equivalent to Grades 8\u201310, uses text with moderate complexity, longer sentences, and varied word choice. Understandable for most U.S. adults, but may require focus.<\/p>

Advanced<\/b>: Equivalent to Grade 12 and beyond, incorporating more complex sentence structure, advanced vocabulary, and abstract concepts. Best suited for readers with strong literacy skills.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Download the Report to keep on your device<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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