ADA Title II Web Accessibility Rules

In today’s digital-first world, state and local governments rely heavily on websites and mobile applications to deliver essential services—from paying taxes to registering to vote. However, for many people with disabilities, these digital services remain difficult or even impossible to access. To address this, the Department of Justice introduced a new rule in April 2024 under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The rule sets clear technical requirements to ensure that government websites and mobile apps are accessible to everyone. While compliance deadlines begin in 2026 and 2027, depending on population size, the time to start preparing is now. If this is your first time learning about this rule, you might consider taking steps to ensure your municipality is complying.

One might ask why accessibility is so important. Accessibility is not just about legal compliance—it’s about equitable access to public services, a duty for leaders in your community. When your municipality's digital platforms are inaccessible, they create real barriers in people’s daily lives. For example, an inaccessible online form can prevent someone from applying for benefits, paying bills, or submitting important requests. The inability to pay sewer/water fees or access zoning applications, among other services, can further strain already overburdened budgets. Inaccessible systems can also undermine government efficiency. If residents cannot complete tasks online independently, agencies may face increased administrative burdens, delays, and higher service costs.

By prioritizing accessibility, governments can improve service delivery, expand civic participation, and ensure that all community members—including those with visual, auditory, cognitive, and physical disabilities—can fully engage with public services. The new rule requires state and local governments to ensure that their digital content complies with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.     

• Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presented to users in ways they can perceive (e.g., text alternatives, captions).

• Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable (e.g., keyboard-only access and sufficient time to read)

• Understandable: Information and operation of the user interface must be understandable.

• Robust: Content must be robust enough to be reliably interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies

Obviously, you’ll need to do a deeper dive than this blog can provide. I found several online resources that can review your website and determine whether it meets the criteria, which may greatly simplify the task. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible, covering areas such as text alternatives, keyboard navigation, and adaptable layouts. To begin, agencies should familiarize themselves with the rule using available resources, such as fact sheets, compliance guides, and the full text of the regulation. Understanding both the technical standards and broader ADA obligations—such as effective communication and reasonable accommodations—is essential.

Compliance deadlines depend on your municipality's population size: Governments serving 50,000 or more people must comply by April 2026, while those serving fewer than 50,000 must comply by April 2027. These deadlines may seem distant, but achieving accessibility across all digital assets requires significant planning, coordination, and time.

Accessibility is not just an IT responsibility—it requires collaboration across departments.

---

About the Author

David L. Anthony is a member of the Keystone Municipal Solutions team of experts. He is a veteran of municipal government, having served more than 33 years in various positions of public service. Contact him at david@keystonemunicipalsolutions.com. To learn more about David and the Keystone Municipal Solutions team, click here.