California accessibility requirements for government vendors
The one statute that puts a duty on the contractor by name, not on the agency.
Cal. Gov. Code § 7405, read with Gov. Code § 11135
01 — Standard
What the instrument actually requires
Section 7405 requires compliance with “Section 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended” and its implementing regulations, rather than naming a WCAG version directly.
Source: Cal. Gov. Code § 7405 ↗
02 — Coverage
Who it covers, and who it does not
The primary duty runs to state governmental entities developing, procuring, maintaining or using electronic and information technology, and extends to other entities using state funds for those purposes.
Source: Cal. Gov. Code § 7405 ↗
What this means for a SLED contractor
California reaches local work through § 11135 rather than by naming cities. The subdivision that matters to you is written about the contractor, and it says “state or local entity” — so a contract with a covered local entity carries the duty even though the statute’s main obligation is aimed at the state.
04 — The ask
What it asks a vendor to hand over
§ 7405(b): “Any entity that contracts with a state or local entity subject to Section 11135 for the provision of electronic or information technology or for the provision of related services shall agree to respond to, and resolve any complaint regarding accessibility.” This is a standing obligation on the vendor — not a document handed over once at award.
Source: Cal. Gov. Code § 7405(b) ↗
05 — Fit
Where a dated structural scan fits here
Every other state on this list asks for a document at procurement. California asks for a behavior for the life of the contract: respond to and resolve accessibility complaints. That is an ongoing-evidence problem rather than a bid-day problem, and it is the one place where the audit log matters more than the scan — a dated record of what was reported, what you checked, what you changed and when is what “we responded and resolved” looks like a year later when someone asks you to prove it.
BidShield ADA produces a dated WCAG 2.1 AA structural-scan record and an audit-defense log. Automated testing detects only a portion of accessibility barriers and cannot replace manual review, so nothing it produces is a WCAG conformance claim, an ADA or Section 508 compliance certification, an Accessibility Conformance Report, or a legal opinion.
06 — Depth
Go deeper
Have the record before California asks for it
BidShield ADA's Contractor's Defense Bundle gives you a dated, exportable WCAG 2.1 AA structural-scan and audit-defense log for $299. Not a compliance certification — a defensible record.
Get StartedEvery claim on this page was read from the linked primary source on 2026-07-28. Statutes, rules and agency standards change; check the source before relying on any of it. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.