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The Web Accessibility Framework: Core


What is the Core?

The Core is one of three pieces of The Web Accessibility framework.

Pie graphic with the three pieces of the Web Accessibility Framework: Core, Tiers, and Profile. Core is highlighted.

It’s the foundation of the framework and is made up of five functions:

  1. Identify: Define your scope, risk tolerance, and goals.
  2. Prevent: Ways to prevent issues through training, procurement processes with 3rd party software, and change management processes.
  3. Detect: Ways to detect issues with intentional sampling, manual testing, automated testing, and user feedback.
  4. Respond: The organization’s response plan to issues including where they’re documented, how they’re prioritized, customer communication guidelines, and legal response plans.
  5. Remediate: How your organization will fix issues and processes.

Each of these functions has categories with lists of accessibility outcomes organizations can work toward.

For example, Asset Management is a category in the Identify function. Here are some of the outcomes in this category:

  • Public-facing websites and pages are inventoried
  • Websites, pages, and flows behind logins are inventoried
  • Content creation flows and systems are mapped
  • Documents are inventoried
  • Videos are inventoried

Organizations can use the Core on its own to start improving accessibility right away or it can be used with Profiles and Tiers to build an even more comprehensive accessibility strategy.

Example: Using only the Core shows how the Core could be used.

Who should use the Core?

Any piece of The Web Accessibility Framework can be used on its own and adjusted to fit an organization’s needs.

That said, the Core is great for all organizations to use. It is a great place for any organization to start especially if they aren’t sure where to begin, want to get started quickly, or are smaller with limited resources.

The Core’s outcomes are also used to build the Profile’s current and desired state. It also helps organizations understand all that goes into an accessibility strategy, so they better understand their current and desired Tier.

Core outcomes list

View Core outcomes spreadsheet (Google Sheet).

Identify | Prevent | Detect | Respond | Remediate

Identify

Category Subcategory or Outcome Subcategory ID
Asset Management (ID.AM) Public facing websites and pages are inventoried ID.AM-1
Websites, Pages and flows behind logins are inventoried ID.AM-2
Employee facing websites and pages are inventoried ID.AM-3
Content creation flows and systems are mapped ID.AM-4
Types of digital assets used are identified ID.AM-5
Documents are inventoried ID.AM-6
Videos are inventoried ID.AM-7
Websites and user flows are prioritized based user impact and business goals ID.AM-8
Accessibility roles and responsibilities for the entire workforce and 3rd party stakeholders are established ID.AM-9
Critical or higher priority user paths are identified ID.AM-10
Business environment (ID.BE) The organization’s role in the supply chain and industry is identified and communicated ID.BE-1
Priorities for organizational mission, objectives, and activities are established and communicated ID.BE-2
Governance and Risk Management (ID.GR) Organizational accessibility policy is established and communicated ID.GR-1
Organizational accessibility policy includes 3rd party software ID.GR-2
Accessibility roles and responsibilities are coordinated and aligned with internal roles and external partners ID.GR-3
Legal and regulatory requirements regarding web accessibility are understood and managed ID.GR-4
Governance and risk management processes address web accessibility risks ID.GR-5
Risk tolerance is defined ID.GR-6

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Prevent

Category Subcategory or Outcome Subcategory ID
Awareness and Training (PR.AT) All users are informed and trained according to their role PR.AT-1
3rd party stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities PR.AT-2
Senior executives understand their roles and responsibilities PR.AT-3
Web Accessibility personnel understand their roles and responsibilities PR.AT-4
Change management processes (PR.CM) Change management processes including web accessibility are created and communicated PR.CM-1
Manual testing is incorporated into change management process where appropriate PR.CM-2
Automated testing is incorporated into change management process where appropriate PR.CM-3
Procurement (PR.PR) Web Accessibility is evaluated during the procurement process of new software before purchase PR.PR-1
Potential Vendors are required to provide a VPAT PR.PR-2
Accessibility requirements are included in contracts PR.PR-3

Learn more about Procurement in How to check 3rd party vendors for accessibility plus an email template.

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Detect

Category Subcategory or Outcome Subcategory ID
Sampling (DE.SA) Sampling methods are used to create cost effective and accurate detection DE.SA-1
Manual Testing (DE.MT) Manual testing of a representative sample occurs on a regular cadence for digital assets that have been updated DE.MT-1
Manual testing includes keyboard testing, screen reader testing, zoom testing and other assistive technology DE.MT-2
Manual testing tests user flows DE.MT-3
User testing includes users with disabilities DE.MT-4
Automated Testing (DE.AT) Automated testing is scheduled on a regular cadence DE.AT-1
Automated testing results are automatically emailed to stakeholders and/or added to a central system DE.AT-2
User Feedback (DE.UF) An accessible and easy method is provided for users to give accessibility feedback DE.UF-1

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Respond

Category Subcategory or Outcome Subcategory ID
Response Planning (RE.RP) Response plan is executed during or after an incident RE.RP-1
Response plan includes legal response if required RE.RP-2
Documentation and Prioritization (RE.DP) Detected issues (or groups of issues) are documented and logged in central system along with non-accessibility issues RE.DP-1
Detected issues documentation includes manual testing, automated testing and user feedback RE.DP-2
Documentation includes information on user impact and replication steps RE.DP-3
User feedback is initially considered high priority unless analysis changes priority RE.DP-4
Detected issues (or groups of issues) are prioritized based on user impact and organizational goals RE.DP-5
Communication (RE.CO) Users who report accessibility issues receive clear and prompt responses RE.CO-1
All users and vendors can access accessibility information about digital assets RE.CO-2
Changes in known accessibility status are communicated internally RE.CO-3

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Remediate

Category Subcategory or Outcome Subcategory ID
Accessibility Issues (RM.AI) Issues are remediated regularly RM.AI-1
Processes (RM.PR) Analysis on cause of accessibility issues is performed RM.PR-1
Processes are repaired or improved RM.PR-2
Reputation (RM.RE) Reputation is repaired after an incident RM.RE-1
Remediation activities are communicated to internal and external stakeholders as well as executive and management teams RM.RE-2

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