Web Accessibility Certification For Developers

Have you ever wondered how to get certified as a web accessibility specialist? Here's a quick article giving an introduction to web accessibility certification and several ways to prepare for it.

Two Certification Routes

There's two industry standard routes to being certified in web accessibility. The first is Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA) by International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP). The second is Section 508 Trusted Tester certification by United States Homeland Security (USHS).

IAAP Certified Professional in Web Accessibility.

The Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA) is administered by IAAP.

It has two parts and two exams:

1. Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC)
2. Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS)

You can one or both exams. While there is no requirement that you take the CPACC before the WAS, it's highly recommended. The IAAP publishes official documents called "Body of Knowledge" for each exam. Links to the two body of knowledge pdfs are included in their respective sections below.

The Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC)

The Certified Professional in Accessibility (CPACC) is the core foundation of all three professional accessibility certifications that the IAAP offers.

1. Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA)
2. Accessible Document Specialist (ADS)
3. Certified Professional in Accessible Built Environments (CPABE)

The body of knowledge and exam covers:

• Disabilities, challenges, and assistive technologies
• Models of disability
• Principals of universal design
• International, national, and regional (eg. Ontario) accessibility related laws and standards

How to Prepare for the CPACC Exam

The CPACC body of knowledgecontains the majority of the information needed to pass the CPACC. You will also need to look up several of the laws and standards listed in the body of knowledge to gain a greater understanding of them and how they connect. If you don't have personal and/or professional experience with disabled people I recommend:

1. Watching videos produced by Deque,
2. Disabled YouTubers. Here's a handful to get you started:
   • Jessica Kellgren-Fozard @ Jessica Out of The Closet
   • Jessica @ How to ADHD - A different Jessica than the one above!
   • Jen from @ Momming with Migraine
   • Jen is a service dog handlers
   • Gem Hubbard @ Wheels no Heels
   • Married couple Ryan (Deaf) and Ellen @ Sign Duo Channel
   • Richard @ Wheels 2 Walking]
3. Reading some of the books on the Accessibility Book Club list) , and/or
4. following disabled, neurodiverse, and deaf/Deaf accessibility professionals and advocates on LinkedIn
   • Follow me on LinkedIn to see whose posts I repost.

CPACC Certification Details

All information below is from Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies | International Association of Accessibility Professionals (accessibilityassociation.org)

• Prerequisite: Either a year of experience in accessibility , or are able to "describe their background and goals related to the CPACC credential".
• Exam cost (US Dollars):
  • IAAP Member/Retake: $385/$230.
  • Non-Member/Retake: $485/$290.
  • Emerging and Developing Economy/Retake: $170/$100.
• Exam info:
  • 100 questions
  • Multiple choice
  • Two-hours (additional time may be requested as an accommodation)
  • Computer-based
  • Closed Book
• To maintain certification:
  • Take 45 continuing education credits every three years, or
  • Take the exam again (not the best option, but it is an option)

The Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS)

How to Prepare for the WAS Exam:

Download, read, and practice the contents of the Web Accessibility Specialist Body of Knowledge (accessibilityassociation.org) You can also:

• Take courses by Deque at their online training site Deque University: Web Accessibility Training and Coursesby paying for a membership.
  • Pricing and subscription options can be found on the Online Self-Paced Web and Digital Accessibility Courses: Subscription Options (dequeuniversity.com)
  • A Deque University Scholarships for People with Disabilities is available if you are disabled, neurodiverse, or deaf/Deaf.
• Participate in, or use the materials from the Web Accessibility Study Group that I'm a part of.

WAS Certification Details

All information below is from Web Accessibility Specialist | International Association of Accessibility Professionals (accessibilityassociation.org)

• Prerequisite:

• Exam cost (US Dollars):

• Exam Information:

• To maintain certification:

Section 508 Trusted Tester

The 508 Trusted Tester accessibility certification is administered by United States Department of Homeland Security. It's broader than the CPWA and includes document accessibility as well as web accessibility. Though it's American specific, and not as commonly asked for on job postings, there's still some advantages to taking the Trusted Tester exam over the CPWA:

• Both the exam and the preparation materials are free
• It demonstrates to employers that you have a wide range of accessibility skills.
• If you're in the US, looking for a remote job with a US company, or work for a company that has US clients it will give you an advantage over people that don't have certification

The Department of Homeland Security has a Section 508 trusted tester certification pdf fact sheet about

How to Prepare for the USDHS Section 508 Trusted Tester Exam:

To become a certified 508 Trusted Tester you have to enroll in the Trusted Tester Series of courses(dhs.gov).The final course is the certification exam.

Additional section 508 training

The US government provides free online courses and exam preparation materials. Section 508 training can be accessed via the section 508 website at Training, Tools & Events Here are a few to get you started:

1. Section 508 Awareness | Online course
2. Section 508 training videos
3. Trusted Tester Awareness WebinarClicking on the link will download a PowerPoint.

DHS 508 Trusted Tester Certification Details

• Prerequisite: None
• Exam cost: Free Note: Exam length and certification maintainance is challenging information to find. I'll update this article when I talk with one of the people I know who has 508 certification.
• Exam length:
• To maintain certification:

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References and Resources

1. IAAP | International Association of Accessibility Professionals (accessibilityassociation.org)

2. Body of Knowledge: Certified professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (accessibilityassociation.org)PDF

3. IAAP Podcast | International Association of Accessibility Professionals (accessibilityassociation.org)

4. Web Accessibility Specialist Body of Knowledge (accessibilityassociation.org)

5. Section508.gov training homepage

6. Africa Kenya's YouTube Web Accessibility Certification Study Group Playlist

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Five ways to learn more about web accessibility (A11y): 1. Read and practice the IAAP Web Accessibility Body of Knowledge: https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/resource/WAS_Certification_FInal_2020_FINAL 2. Read, and connect with members of the A11y Web Ring Club. Many of the members are well known, certified accessibility specialists https://a11y-webring.club/ 3. Access free "Section 508" training through the US Government https://www.section508.gov/training/ 4. Find events and groups on LinkedIn such as the Accessibility Book Club: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14367289/ 5. Join an online professional group such as the Web Accessibility Study Group: https://github.com/codingtherapist/webAccessibilityStudyGroup