In April 2024, the Department Of Justice published its final rule for Title II regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ruling provides specific details on compliance for web content and mobile apps at both the local and federal levels. Additionally, the DOJ set deadlines for compliance.
The goal of the rule is to ensure web content and mobile applications are accessible to people with disabilities by requiring updates that meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. These standards, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), provide clear guidance for creating inclusive digital experiences. More information about WCAG can be found on the W3C website.
If you manage a website for a government agency and are wondering what this means for you, here’s what you need to know.
What are the Deadlines?
- State or local governments with populations of 50,000 or more must comply with the new requirements by April 26, 2026
- State or local governments with populations under 50,000 must comply by April 26, 2027
- Special district governments must comply by April 26, 2027
What Does this Rule Entail?
Web content and mobile apps must meet at a minimum Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (“WCAG”), Version 2.1, Level AA standards. Any web or application content or functionality must meet these technical requirements, regardless of who created the website or mobile application. If you’re using third-party applications made by a private business, they are under the scope of the rule.
What are the exceptions?
Five categories of content DO NOT need to meet the WCAG 2.1, Level AA standard:
- Archived web content
- Preexisting conventional electronic documents
- Content posted by a third party
- Individualized documents that are password-protected
- Preexisting social media posts
How Can I Ensure Compliance?
- Automated and manual scans: Scan websites and web content to find potential errors such as missing alt text for images.
- Keyboard navigation testing: Navigate the site and ensure content and functionality are accessible without a mouse
- Screen reader compatibility testing: Evaluate with a screen reader like NVDA or JAWS
How Can SiteCrafting Help?
At SiteCrafting, we believe websites should be accessible to everyone. Our team can help you identify and address barriers to compliance through a comprehensive ADA Audit. Together, we can create digital experiences that are inclusive, user-friendly and aligned with the latest ADA requirements, making the web better for all.
