What’s Happening?
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a final rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requiring all state and local government websites and mobile applications to meet specific digital accessibility standards. This is the first time federal accessibility standards for digital content have been formally codified for public entities.
What’s Required?
All digital content must conform to:
WCAG 2.1 Level AA
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA is an internationally recognized standard. It includes requirements such as:
- Providing text alternatives for images and non-text content
- Ensuring keyboard navigability for users who can’t use a mouse
- Maintaining sufficient color contrast for readability
- Making content understandable and predictable
- Ensuring mobile responsiveness and touch target accessibility
This applies to websites, mobile apps, documents (like PDFs), forms, videos, and online services.
Key Deadlines:
- April 24, 2026 – For public entities that serve 50,000 or more people
- April 26, 2027 – For public entities serving fewer than 50,000
This timeline gives us a window to review, remediate, and update our digital content and systems for compliance.
Why This Matters
✅ It Serves Our Users
Roughly 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. has a disability. Many rely on screen readers, captioning, keyboard navigation, and other tools to interact with digital services. By meeting accessibility standards:
- We remove barriers to public information and services
- We build inclusive digital environments that serve everyone
- We improve usability for all users, not just those with disabilities
⚖️ It’s the Law
This rule is a legally binding requirement under the ADA. Non-compliance may result in:
- Federal investigations by the DOJ
- Legal complaints from users or advocacy organizations
- Costly litigation, settlements, or consent decrees
Being proactive now will help us avoid scrambling to fix issues under pressure later.
🛡️ It Protects Us
By aligning with WCAG 2.1 AA:
- We reduce legal liability
- Show commitment to equity and compliance
- Future-proof our digital infrastructure for broader inclusion
What’s Next?
Our organization will begin a structured accessibility review process, including:
- Auditing websites and applications for compliance gaps
- Remediating high-priority content (like navigation, forms, and public services)
- Providing training and support to content creators, developers, and communications teams
Stay tuned for announcements and resources to help your team meet these standards.
📄 Reference
DOJ Final Rule: Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Governments
🔗 Federal Register Notice – 89 FR 30620 (April 24, 2024)