IMS Publishes White Paper on Implementing CADR for NIH Websites

The case study explores best practices for meeting new federal accessibility standards.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:10pm

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D macro illustration of a futuristic web server rack, with neon cyan and magenta lights illuminating the intricate hardware components, conceptually representing the complex digital infrastructure powering government websites and the efforts to make them more accessible.Upgrading federal websites to meet new accessibility standards requires modernizing the underlying digital infrastructure that powers them.Calverton Today

Information Management Services, Inc. (IMS), a leading provider of web development and IT services, has published a new white paper titled "Implementing CADR Requirements for NIH Websites: A Case Study". The paper examines the process of updating National Institutes of Health (NIH) websites to comply with the recently enacted CADR (Consolidated Accessibility Requirements) standards, which mandate enhanced accessibility for federal government websites.

Why it matters

The CADR standards are part of a broader push by the U.S. government to improve digital accessibility and inclusion for all users, including those with disabilities. As one of the largest federal agencies, the NIH's experience in meeting these new requirements provides valuable insights for other organizations looking to upgrade their own web properties.

The details

IMS worked closely with the NIH to analyze its existing web infrastructure, identify areas needing improvement, and implement solutions to satisfy CADR's rigorous accessibility criteria. This involved upgrading content management systems, revising coding practices, enhancing text-to-speech capabilities, and testing for compliance across the NIH's extensive network of public-facing websites.

  • The CADR standards were enacted by the federal government in January 2026.
  • IMS began its engagement with the NIH to address CADR compliance in March 2026.
  • The white paper was published and released publicly on April 6, 2026.

The players

Information Management Services, Inc. (IMS)

A leading provider of web development and IT services that worked with the NIH to upgrade its websites to meet new CADR accessibility standards.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

A federal agency that oversees biomedical and public health research, with an extensive network of public-facing websites that needed to be updated to comply with CADR requirements.

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What they’re saying

“Implementing the CADR standards across the NIH's web properties was a complex challenge, but one that we were able to navigate successfully by drawing on our deep expertise in web accessibility and government compliance.”

— John Doe, Chief Technology Officer, IMS

What’s next

IMS plans to share additional insights and best practices from the NIH project in future industry events and publications.

The takeaway

The NIH's successful CADR implementation demonstrates that even large, complex federal agencies can effectively upgrade their digital infrastructure to meet rigorous accessibility standards, paving the way for more inclusive online experiences for all users.