Awfully Helpful

Questions people ask

Short, plain answers. If your question is not here, email me.

Is the first talk really free?

Yes, really. You answer five easy questions by email. Then we have a relaxed 30-minute chat. If AI help isn’t a good fit for you right now, I’ll tell you so, kindly and honestly.

Do we need new software?

Maybe not, and that’s good news. Many tasks can be done with tools you already pay for. If a new tool is worth it, your plan says which one, what it costs and why.

What about our data?

Part of the plan is picking tools and turning on the privacy settings that keep your data from training the vendor’s model. Your AI rules also say what staff must never put into an AI tool.

When I build something, I build it in your accounts, so it stays yours. I won’t ask for passwords or customer data I don’t need.

What is WCAG?

WCAG is the main standard for making websites and documents usable by people with disabilities. It is a list of testable rules, such as “text has enough contrast” and “everything works with a keyboard”. I check against WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

Do you need to know what WCAG stands for? No. (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Now you do.)

What does “limited” mean?

It means I check a set part of your site: the homepage, 5 key pages you choose, and up to 5 PDFs with no more than 25 pages in total. It is not a full conformance audit of every page.

Will my site meet WCAG after the check?

I cannot promise that. The check finds problems on the pages and PDFs you choose. The fix list helps your team fix them. A check by itself does not change your site.

Do you fix the problems?

No. I find them and explain them. The fix list is written so your web vendor or your staff can do the work.

What do you need from us?

  • The web addresses of the 5 pages you want checked.
  • Up to 5 PDFs, or links to them.
  • Your OK, in writing, for me to test your forms.
  • The name of the person who can approve the purchase.

Please send links or public copies of your PDFs. Do not send private records, such as forms filled in by residents. If a PDF holds private information, we agree first how I will handle it.

Your report comes within 15 business days after these arrive.

Which pages should we pick?

Pick the pages people use most, or the ones they need to get something done. For a city, that is often paying a bill, meeting agendas, forms and permits, and contact details.

How do we pay?

The price is $750, fixed. It is an introductory price for the first 3 clients. You get an itemized invoice. Payment is Net 30.

Do you use AI in the check?

Yes. AI tools propose results, and two AI judges from different vendors must agree on each finding. When they do not agree, I check it by hand. I read every finding before it goes in the report. The written agreement says this too.

What about the DOJ rule?

The U.S. Department of Justice’s 2024 ADA Title II rule uses WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the technical standard for city websites. In April 2026, DOJ moved the dates: April 26, 2027 for cities of 50,000 or more, and April 26, 2028 for smaller cities. A court case asks a judge to undo that delay. DOJ has said it may propose changes to the rule. See ada.gov for the current status. This is general information, not legal advice.