North Dakota - HHS Section 504
North Dakota head start programs: website accessibility requirements
North Dakota's Head Start and Early Head Start programs must bring their websites and digital documents to the WCAG 2.1 Level AA standard under HHS Section 504. Here is the deadline that applies to you, what the standard requires, and the issues most likely to affect Head Start program sites.
Your deadline
HHS Section 504 web rule · WCAG 2.1 AA
- May 11, 2027
- 15 or more employees
- May 10, 2028
- Fewer than 15 employees
Which date applies depends on your employee count. Providers with 15 or more employees fall under the earlier date.
These dates are set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Section 504 web accessibility rule. This is general information, not legal advice.
What WCAG 2.1 AA requires
WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the technical standard both federal rules point to. In practice it means your website, mobile app, and the documents you publish must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust: usable with a keyboard alone, readable by a screen reader, legible at high zoom and adequate contrast, and free of barriers in forms and media.
For head start programs, the surfaces that matter most are usually enrollment and application forms, family-resource pages, calendar and event information, and contact flows.
Common issues on head start programs websites
These are the barriers that most often turn up on Head Start program sites. Use them as a starting checklist.
Enrollment and application forms
Application and eligibility forms without proper labels cannot be completed by every parent or guardian.
Family-resource PDFs
Handbooks and resource guides posted as untagged PDFs cannot be read by screen readers.
Missing image alt text
Program photos and event graphics without text alternatives exclude screen-reader users.
Calendar and event info
Schedules posted as images or inaccessible files leave families without the information.
Video without captions
Welcome and program videos need synchronized captions.
Other North Dakota categories
Know exactly where you stand
We'll check your Head Start program website against WCAG 2.1 AA and send a plain-language findings report. No overlay widget, no obligation.