On Thursday, April 24, 2024, "The Department of Justice ("Department") issued its final rule revising the regulation implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") to establish specific requirements, including the adoption of specific technical standards, for making accessible the services, programs, and activities offered by State and local government entities to the public through the web and mobile applications ("apps")."
Our friends Thomas Logan from Equal Entry and Ken Nakata of Converge Accessibility discussed the new rule and how it affects people with disabilities. You can hear this discussion at A11yInsights with Equal Entry. The audio version is just over ten minutes long and provides a solid overview.
What Does the New Rule Say?
The rule applies to web content and mobile apps that state or local governments provide or make available. It says state and local governments must conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 A and AA, web accessibility standards. This new rule also applies to higher education.
Compliance with the rule starts on:
- April 24, 2026: This is for all public entities (except special district governments) with a population of 50,000 or more.
- April 26, 2027: For all public entities with a population under 50,000 and special district governments regardless of population size.
Why Is This New Rule Important?
Many state and local government services are offered online through websites and apps. If these are not designed for people with disabilities, they can be difficult or impossible to use, creating a barrier to accessing essential programs and activities.
What Can State and Local Governments Do Now?
- Conduct an accessibility audit of their existing websites and mobile apps. Audits should include automated tools like DubBot and manual audits with screen readers and keyboard-only navigation.
- Learn about WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA from trusted resources like WebAIM and the World Wide Web Consortium.
- Consider hiring a full-time website accessibility specialist. See our blog post "Level Up Your Accessibility Game: Tips and Resources for Hiring an Accessibility Pro" for more information.
This rule ensures state and local government websites and mobile apps are inclusive, allowing everyone to access their services and programs.
Resources
- U.S. Department of Justice Accessibility Rule Announcement for State and Local Governments
- Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments
- Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities
