You might already know a bit about web accessibility – and if you’ve read our previous article, you’ll know it’s all about making sure websites and digital tools can be used by everyone, regardless of ability. But what about certifying that accessibility?
In this article, we’ll explore what a web accessibility certification is, why getting certified is a smart move for your business, and how you can go about doing it.
Why web accessibility certification is worth it
Let’s start with the big picture. Web accessibility isn’t just a box-ticking exercise or a nice-to-have. It’s essential for ensuring equal access to digital services – and increasingly, it’s becoming a benchmark for professionalism, credibility, and legal compliance.
A web accessibility certification shows that your business is committed to inclusivity and has taken the steps to make its digital products usable for everyone. That includes people with permanent disabilities, temporary injuries, or situational limitations (think: broken arm, glare on screen, or noisy environments).
Having a recognised certification is also great for:
- Legal compliance – particularly if you work with the public sector or provide digital services to a wide audience.
- Boosting your reputation – it shows clients, partners, and users that you take inclusivity seriously.
- Improving your SEO – accessible websites often rank higher in search engines thanks to cleaner structure and better UX.
- Future-proofing – accessibility is only going to grow in importance as digital spaces evolve.
What does accessibility certification actually involve?
Web accessibility certification typically involves a combination of:
- Understanding accessibility guidelines (like WCAG – the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)
- Auditing your current website or app against those guidelines
- Making any necessary changes
- Having your efforts reviewed or certified by a recognised body or completing an accredited course
While there’s no single, universally required certification for web accessibility (yet), there are several respected options that demonstrate knowledge and best practice in this area.
Top web accessibility certifications to consider:
If you’re looking to get certified, here are some of the most widely recognised and well-regarded options:
W3C WAI: Web Accessibility Foundations Free Online Course
This is a free course provided by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) – the organisation that writes the web standards most certification processes are based on.
It’s a great starting point for individuals or businesses looking to understand accessibility in depth, covering topics like disabilities, assistive technologies, and WCAG guidelines.
The structure of this particular course lets you focus on what you’re most interested in, whether that’s coding accessible applications, designing interfaces, learning about real-life experiences, or learning about testing for accessibility standards.
Who it’s for: Beginners, teams, and anyone wanting a solid foundation in accessibility.
Get started: W3C Accessibility Foundations Course
IAAP Certifications (CPACC, WAS, CPWA)
If you’re serious about web accessibility – and especially if you want to demonstrate your expertise in a professional context – IAAP Certifications are considered the most respected and recognised qualifications in the field. The International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) offers several respected certifications, that allow you to deep dive into accessibility, and become a specialist:
CPACC – Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies
Think of this as the ‘accessibility theory’ certification. CPACC focuses on understanding the wide spectrum of disabilities, the principles of universal design, assistive technologies, and global accessibility standards like WCAG.
This is a great starting point if you're looking to validate your foundational knowledge, whether you're a developer, designer, project manager, or content creator.
Who it's for: Beginners to intermediate professionals across digital roles
Focus: Core concepts, inclusive design principles, legal frameworks
WAS – Web Accessibility Specialist
If CPACC is the theory, WAS is the practice. This certification dives deep into the technical side of accessibility, including coding accessible websites, testing with screen readers and automated tools, remediating common accessibility issues, and applying WCAG success criteria in real-world development.
It’s designed for front-end developers, QA testers, and accessibility auditors who want to prove their technical ability.
Who it's for: Developers, testers, accessibility consultants
Focus: Technical application of accessibility principles
CPWA – Certified Professional in Web Accessibility
The CPWA designation is a combination of CPACC and WAS. It means you’ve mastered both the strategic and practical aspects of accessibility – making this the most comprehensive certification currently available. This qualification is often a requirement for senior roles in accessibility.
Who it's for: Accessibility leads, consultants, or those overseeing compliance and strategy. You must successfully pass both CPACC and WAS exams to qualify.
Focus: Covers all areas of accessibility.
There are also many practical courses offered by accessibility-focused platforms and digital learning hubs, such as:
Deque University– Offers a range of accessibility training, including prep for IAAP exams. While Deque does not offer formal certifications, it’s a solid middle ground offering practical training. Courses are paid, but scholarships are available for learners with disabilities.
Web.dev’s Accessibility Learning Path – Backed by Google!
Web.dev’s Accessibility Learning Path is one of the best free resources out there! Created by Google, Web.dev is a hub for modern web best practices, and their accessibility course is built to help developers bake accessibility into their workflow from the start – rather than bolting it on later.
The course covers key concepts like:
- Semantic HTML and why it matters
- Keyboard navigation and focus management
- ARIA roles and accessible forms
- Colour contrast, responsive typography, and media accessibility
- Using screen readers and other assistive technologies
Unlike formal certifications like those from IAAP, Web.dev doesn’t offer a certificate or exam. But it's still a highly valuable tool, especially if you want to learn by doing, or if you’re new to accessibility.
Some people like to complete the Web.dev accessibility courses before tackling some of the more formal qualifications, and it’s a good idea- doing so, you’d walk away with better coding practices and a much stronger understanding of what makes the web truly usable for everyone.
Get started: Web.dev Accessibility Course
Want to check if your own website is accessible?
If you’re a business owner, or someone with a website, wondering if website accessibility is something that you should be looking into, we probably have the answer.
Maybe you’ve heard about accessibility but aren’t sure how your current website measures up. Or maybe you’re wondering if the basics have been covered – like screen reader compatibility or keyboard navigation. Either way, it’s a great idea to take a step back and do a quick accessibility health check.
Here are a few simple ways to get started:
Run a free accessibility scan – Tools like WAVE or Accessibility Checker highlight issues like missing alt text, low colour contrast, or poor heading structure.
Try navigating with just your keyboard – Can you move through your site without a mouse? Are menus, buttons, and links easy to access?
Check your content – Are your headings clear and in order (H1, H2, H3)? Do images have alt text? Is your text easy to read?
Think about different users – Would someone with a visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairment be able to use your site comfortably?
These quick checks can reveal whether you’re on the right track – or whether your site could be excluding users without you even realising.
But when it comes to full accessibility compliance, things can get a little more technical.
That’s where we come in.
Let Formation help with your accessibility journey
Getting your web accessibility certification can feel like a big step – but it’s one worth taking. And if you're looking for support, Formation can help.
From running accessibility audits and user testing, to designing and building bespoke, WCAG-compliant websites from scratch, we make accessibility a core part of your digital presence – not just an afterthought.
Our Four-Stage Process is designed to help your business grow in the right way: accessible, inclusive, and future-ready.
Want to chat about how we can support your accessibility goals?
Get in touch with the Formation team today.
