Step 3: Prepare for Review

Completed at least 3 weeks before the target launch date.

Accessibility Requirements – HSC Web Services

WVU is required by federal law to have zero WCAG A/AA errors on all published web content.

• Run an automated accessibility scan (e.g., SiteImprove) against the staging environment

• Remediate all WCAG A/AA errors before proceeding to review

• Check all images for appropriate alt text (descriptive for informational images; empty alt="" for decorative)

• Confirm all PDFs and downloadable documents are accessible or have accessible alternatives

• Verify color contrast ratios meet WCAG AA minimums (4.5:1 for body text)

• Test keyboard navigation throughout the site

• Test site using a screen reader on key pages

Brand and Design Requirements – HSC Web Services

Health Sciences websites are built on the WVU Health Sciences Design System, which extends the foundational WVU Design System with expanded modules and components tailored to the needs of Health Sciences units and schools. All sites must use the Health Sciences Design System.

Confirm the site meets the following criteria before submitting for review:

• WVU Health Sciences Design System: Site is built using Health Sciences Design System components, templates, and styling

  • Including any expanded modules relevant to the unit or school

• WVU Logo: Only approved WVU logos are used; not altered, distorted, or placed over textures; minimum 10px clear space maintained

• Unit Name / College Name: Displayed in the top left, styled per WVU branding guidelines

• Logotypes and Wordmarks: Only unit logos approved by WVU Trademark and Licensing Services

• Body Text: Dark gray on a plain white background

• Navigation: Clear, consistent, and located within the top 610px of the page

• Key Content Placement: Important information near the top; vertical scrolling is acceptable

• Layout: Balanced whitespace; avoids clutter; supports readability and visual hierarchy

• Styling: Follows the official WVU theme stylesheet; avoids heavy borders, excessive textures, or non-standard effects

Technical Checks – HSC Web Services

• All internal links are functional; no broken links or missing files. If attached files are inaccessible, HSC Communitcations and Marketing, Digital will work with clients to ensure full functionality at launch.

  • Inaccessible files will be reviewed, and a plan for how to resolve these will be established. Due to the variety of issues, each document may have a different plan.

• All external links open correctly (consider target="_blank" with appropriate attributes)

• Forms are functional and submissions route to the correct destination

• Site is tested and functional in current versions of Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox

• Site is mobile-responsive and tested on common device sizes

• Page titles and meta descriptions are set for all key pages

• No test content, placeholder text, or lorem ipsum remains on the site.