Web Accessibility Certificate

Leading through accessibility

A lack of diversity is a lack of equality. This is why there needs to be a certificate to recognise accessible websites that take the future as well as equal access for all into account.

WACA is the first quality seal to make web accessibility according to the international W3C guidelines (WCAG) visible to the outside world. This official certificate from the WACA initiative and the independent certification body TÜV Austria intended for websites in German and English throughout Europe and is issued based on the European Standard EN 301 549. This is to ensure that all people can access the certified websites. The certificate recognises web accessibility efforts and guarantees compliance with legal requirements.

Key facts about the WACA certificate:

Person wearing a shirt in front of a stack of papers with a pen

TÜV Austria serves as independent certification body
Certification strictly according to W3C guidelines WCAG 2.1 – AA and based on EN 301 549 (Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services)
Available in 3 levels: Gold – Silver - Bronze
Certified websites marked with label, valid for 3 years
Annual review audits
Re-certification necessary after 3 years
Graduation of prices depending on the complexity and size of the website

Your benefits:

Hot air balloons soaring against the sky

Unique selling proposition: the only quality seal of conformity in Austria and valid in Europe, USA and Canada
Transparency: independent certification body, certified and qualified auditors
Comparability: standardised audit procedure and publication of the audit report
Legal compliance: certificate guarantees that legal regulations are observed
Economic effects: reaching a broader target group and making the website fit for the future
CSR: accessibility efforts become visible and media attention is achieved

News

Accessibility Widgets and Overlays

General accessibility icon: symbolic human standing with arms and legs outstretched

Recently there has been an increase of inquiries about the necessity and meaningfulness of accessibility widgets and overlays. Thus we, the WACA-Initiative, would like to make a statement, to also rectify incorrect statements of providers. More and more website operators are integrating various auxiliary tools in the hope of making their offer more accessible quickly and easily. But what are these tools exactly and what do they do to my website? Including links to international statements.

Websites of several renowned public institutions, universities and larger companies have been awarded the WACA seal of certification. Here you can find a list of the recipients:

WACA in the media...

WACA has recently been featured repeatedly in the media: in the trade magazine “Computerwelt”, in a special supplement of the daily newspaper “Die Presse”, online on medianet.at and on the homepage of orf.at, as well as in the consumer magazine of Radio Ö1.