Website Modernization Program
The Commonwealth of Virginia (COV) website modernization program
The COV website modernization program was created to ensure all state websites provide an accessible, trusted and secure experience for all Virginians. Specifically, the program looks to aid agencies in meeting the COV web standards.
- EA Solutions Web Systems Standard (effective Feb. 23, 2023)
- Program newsletters
WebMod agency support
The website modernization program team is committed to supporting agencies by sharing information and offering products and learning opportunities regarding accessibility. Read more by clicking on tabs, and check back often for updates to our program.
Toolbox for modernizing websites
Developer.virginia.gov is your online source for tools and tips to successfully implement Virginia’s web modernization program. This website is a one-stop destination which will include official direction, news and guidance. It’s also your spot to ask questions, make suggestions and find the right contact for help.
New learning opportunities!
Join us to learn about various topics related to website modernization, including: web and document accessibility, web traffic analytics, user experience, content strategy and more.
- Sept. 25 - How to Read and Use Web Traffic Analytics to Improve Your Content
- Oct. 30 - Section 508 Compliance
The official identification of COV government websites
Agencies should use the Commonwealth branding bar to identify their site as an official website of Virginia state government as it helps citizens identify official websites of government organizations in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Learn more about the Commonwealth Branding Bar
Implementing the Commonwealth Branding Bar
Learn more about website standards
Use the following guides below to become more familiar with basics of website standards:
I am familiar with the basics of website standards: A Quick Start Reference Guide
I want step-by-step help and a rationale behind the requirements: An In-Depth Reference Guide
Looking for more resources such as Siteimprove, coding best practices, etc. Visit our Resources page!
Stay up to date!
VITA publishes a bi-monthly Website Modernization program newsletter in addition to hosting office hours monthly on the Virginia Accessible platform.
On-demand accessibility training
View the 2024 accessibility seminars that were held through year. Topics include user research, content audits, writing accessible content, etc.
Accessibility Training - Fundamental
View Foundations of Accessibility - General Introduction to Accessibility for the Agencies presentation (Feb. 16, 2023)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Governor’s Office wants Virginians to recognize state websites and have a consistent user and customer experience across agencies. We are partnering with the Governor’s Office and Secretary of Administration to achieve the goal of consistency, and ultimately, to modernize Commonwealth websites.
Executive branch and independent authorities that report to the governor are in scope for this program. All Commonwealth of Virginia agencies should be striving towards accessible, trusted and secure websites.
Yes, higher education is in scope as it is part of the executive branch and falls under the Secretary of Education. However, there is an exemption for the institutions that have gained independence with respect to technology under the Restructured Higher Education Financial and Administrative Operations Act (§ 23.1-1000 et seq.).
All public-facing websites and web applications are in scope.
The Web Mod PMO team will work with agencies to evaluate non-government websites (.COM, .EDU, etc.) on a case-by-case basis.
The Website Modernization Program Management Office (Web Mod PMO team), situated within VITA, will provide governance and oversight support for this effort. The team works closely with the VITA Web Technologists team for accessibility and design standards.
VITA’s Commonwealth security and risk management (CSRM) team will continue to be the governing entity for web security in the Commonwealth, with support from the Web Mod PMO team.
The Enterprise Architecture (EA) Standard establishes direction and technical requirements governing the acquisition, use and management of IT resources by executive branch agencies. View the EA Standard (EA225).
Web standards fall under Enterprise Solutions Architecture (ESA) requirements. The Commonwealth ESA provides the framework/model and methodology that supports the transition from silo-based, application-centric and agency-centric information technology investments to an enterprise approach where solutions are designed to be flexible. View the EA Solutions Web Systems Standard.
The Web Mod PMO team held a kick-off meeting with all agencies on Dec. 15, to discuss the effort. The team will coordinate deep dives with agencies through their customer account managers (CAMs), or directly for agencies without an assigned VITA CAM. The Web Mod PMO team will ensure remediation progress is tracked and reported.
Additional Website Modernization Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are available on the VITA service portal. Log in to visit the KB0019243 information.
Topics include: Website standards, Design standards, Accessibility standards, Security standards, Funding
For project support, please contact the Web Mod PMO team at webmod@vita.virginia.gov