Check each item your website currently meets.
WCAG 2.1 AA is the widely referenced standard. The U.S. DOJ’s 2024 ADA Title II rule requires it of state and local governments on a set timeline; private nonprofits should treat WCAG 2.1 AA as the best-practice target and consider ADA Title III obligations. A passing self-check is a floor, not a guarantee of compliance.
An accessible site brings more people to your cause
Accessibility widens your audience — and so does Good Circles. Supporters pick your cause once on any device, then a share of their everyday local spending funds you automatically: about 10% of each merchant’s net profit, conservatively ~$72 per active supporter per year (an estimate), recurring, unrestricted, and free for your nonprofit.
Claim a Founding Nonprofit spot →Sources & tools
Free first
- W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) — the authoritative source for WCAG and how to meet it.
- WAVE web accessibility evaluation tool — a free automated scanner that flags many accessibility errors.
- ADA.gov — web guidance — the U.S. DOJ’s guidance on web accessibility and the ADA.
Paid — optional labor-savers
- A professional accessibility audit — manual testing with assistive tech and a remediation plan. Worth it when your site is large, transactional, or facing a complaint.
Last verified 2026-06-17. Figures and rules change — verify at the source before you act.
FAQ
What is WCAG 2.1 AA?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 are the international standard for web accessibility, published by the W3C. Level AA is the commonly required conformance level and covers practical requirements like color contrast, keyboard access, captions, and form labels.
Do nonprofits legally have to be accessible?
It depends. The 2024 U.S. Department of Justice rule under ADA Title II requires state and local governments to meet WCAG 2.1 AA on a set timeline. Private nonprofits are generally covered by ADA Title III as places of public accommodation, and accessibility is both a legal-risk and an inclusion issue, so WCAG 2.1 AA is the best-practice target.
What are the highest-impact accessibility fixes?
Meaningful alt text, sufficient color contrast, full keyboard operability, and properly labeled form fields tend to deliver the most benefit for the least effort. Captions and transcripts matter wherever you publish audio or video.
Is this self-audit enough for compliance?
No. A quick self-check is a useful starting point, but real conformance requires testing with assistive technology such as screen readers, automated scanners, and ideally people with disabilities. Treat a high score as a floor, not proof of compliance.