How Can This Service Help Me?
The EOTSS Accessibility Assessments Service is designed to support executive Department agencies and offices in advancing their digital accessibility program. Assessment services can:
- Support remediation planning
- Support Exception Requests and Mitigation Plan development.
- Inform decisions to decommission and replace
- Inform vendor communications about their accessibility obligations
- Support new software purchasing and renewal decisions
What Types of Digital Assets Can Be Tested Using This Service?
At this time, EOTSS Accessibility Assessment Services can perform an assessment on the following types of digital assets:
- Websites
- Web-based applications
- Third-Party applications (Screening only)
- Mobile apps
- Digital Documents (PDF, Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint)
The following types of Digital Assets are not eligible for assessment services at this time:
- Mass.gov pages created using the Mass.gov content management system (CMS)
- SharePoint sites
- Social media content
- Multimedia
What Assessment Services are Available?
The EOTSS Accessibility Assessment Service currently includes the following offerings:
WCAG User Journey Testing
A strategically scoped accessibility assessment of an internal web-based application, website, or mobile app against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.2 level A and AA success criteria using automated and manual accessibility testing methods. This assessment can support Digital Accessibility Roadmap and Mitigation Plan development.
Accessibility Screening
A high-level evaluation designed to identify the most impactful accessibility issues within web-applications, websites, and mobile apps developed internally or delivered by a third-party. This assessment includes automated and manual testing methods of a representative sample of pages and provides high-level accessibility insights. A screening can help inform purchasing and renewal decisions, determine the feasibility of remediation, or support plans to decommission and replace the Digital Asset.
Digital Document Review
An accessibility review of a limited sample of digital document pages using automated and manual testing techniques. Document types eligible for review are: PDF, MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This service can provide insights into remediation efforts and support decisions related to the feasibility of remediation. Note: This is not a remediation service.
How it Works
To get started, executive department agencies and offices should contact their respective Secretariat IT Accessibility Officer (SIAO) to discuss their accessibility testing needs. If the SIAO deems assessment services are a good fit, the workflow is as follows:
- The SIAO prioritizes and submits requests using a ServiceNow form.
- The EOTSS Assessment Team Lead will review each request for completeness and suitability. If approved, a tester is assigned and the ticket is marked in progress.
- When testing is complete, an Assessment Report is generated that includes a CSV file with itemized Accessibility Violations with severity levels, location of each violation, remediation resources for each issue, a Test Case cover page, and screenshots if applicable.
- The Assessment Report is delivered through the ServiceNow ticket and the ticket is closed.
- The SIAO receives an email with instructions on how to access the Assessment Report and disseminate accordingly.
Note: Delivery time can vary depending on the testing scope, complexity, and current queue. Changes can be made to this process at any time and stakeholders will be notified about these changes.
What Happens After I Receive the Assessment Report?
Secretariats and their respective agencies are responsible for acting on assessment findings. This may include:
- Developing and implementing a remediation plan.
- Notifying vendors of accessibility noncompliance and requesting prompt remediation.
- Developing a Mitigation Plan.
- Developing a plan to decommission and replace the Digital Asset.
What is Not Included with this Service?
This service does not include:
- Consultation related to assessment findings
- Remediation assistance
- Validation retesting
- Ongoing monitoring of remediation
- Determination of agency risk or guidance related to legal matters
Request an Accessibility Assessment
This service is schedule to rollout in April of 2026. The EOTSS Accessibility Assessment Service Request form coming soon.
Contact
If you have any questions, please email the EOTSS Accessibility Assessment Team at eotss-aat@mass.gov.