How to check your website's accessibility

At Catalyst, we’re dedicated to helping organisations create accessible and inclusive digital services. The updated Web Accessibility Standard (version 1.2), effective from 17 March 2025, requires all government websites to meet WCAG 2.2 at Level AA. These updates introduce new criteria to improve access for people with disabilities, ensuring public services are usable by all New Zealanders.

While these changes directly affect government agencies, accessibility improvements benefit everyone. Whether you’re a private enterprise or a non-profit, making your website more accessible enhances the user experience for all.

Navigating accessibility requirements can be complex. That’s why, in this blog post, we're sharing a free tool to assess your website’s accessibility, providing a high-level overview of key areas for improvement. With these insights, you can take practical steps toward compliance and, more importantly, create digital services that work for everyone.

If you need support installing the tool or have questions about web accessibility after using the tool, you can always contact us for support.

For government agencies

As of 17 March 2025, the New Zealand Government has updated its Web Accessibility Standard to version 1.2. This means websites must now meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 at Level AA. These new requirements(external link) introduce additional success criteria designed to make the web more accessible for everyone, particularly users with disabilities. 

How to install the Axe DevTools browser extension

For Chrome users:

    1. Go to the Chrome Web Store(external link).
    2. Click 'Add to Chrome' and confirm the installation.

For Firefox users:

    1. Visit Mozilla Add-ons.(external link)
    2. Click 'Add to Firefox' and follow the prompts.

For Edge users:

1. Go to Edge Add-ons(external link).
2. Click 'Get' and follow the prompts.

Using the extension:

    1. Open Developer Tools (F12 or right-click > Inspect).
    2. Find the 'Axe' tab.
    3. Run a scan to identify accessibility issues and start addressing them.

Axe DevTools gives you a high-level view, but automated checks alone aren’t enough—manual testing and real user feedback are key to true accessibility. If you need help interpreting results, auditing your site, or planning a long-term strategy, our team of accessibility experts are ready to support you.