ADA Title II: What State & Local Governments Must Fix Before the Compliance Deadline
The ADA Title II Rule deadline is fast approaching, and it is important to ensure that your public sector organization is prepared to meet it.
This deadline has been recently extended by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to April 26, 2027 for jurisdictions serving 50,000+ residents, and April 26, 2028 for smaller entities and special district governments.
Title II emphasizes a strict mandate on accessibility requirements for all web and digital content to ensure that people with disabilities can participate fully in every aspect of their lives. State and local governments must adhere to WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines by the deadline not only to remain compliant, but to also move forward with ensuring greater accessibility and inclusivity for everyone that uses their online services and resources.
It is time to get started. Learn more about what state and local governments must fix before the compliance deadline in this article.
Requirements Under Title II
The ADA Title II Rule is a focus on digital accessibility for the public sector. Any digital or web content must be accessible to individuals with disabilities, enabling them to access services and resources with minimal friction.
As online services continue to expand within state and local governments, it is an essential responsibility to ensure compliance and build interfaces and systems that work for everyone.
Requirements under Title II include:
Equal access to all government services, programs, and activities
No discrimination based on disability
Communications that are as effective for those with disabilities as they are for anyone else
Accessible digital content in all of its formats
Content that Must be Accessible Under Title II
Any form of digital or web content must be accessible under the ADA Title II Rule. This includes, but is not limited to:
Public-Facing Websites
Includes any websites and subdomains, including departmental pages and public information portals
PDFs and Digital Documents
Includes meeting agendas, public notices, applications, and reports
Online Forms and Applications
Includes permits, registrations, service requests, and complaints
Mobile Applications
Includes county-operated and vendor-provided mobile services
Resident Portals and Dashboards
Utilities, taxes, benefits, and licensing
Videos and Multimedia
Includes captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions
GIS and Interactive Maps
Includes maps, location tools, and interactive dashboards
Payment Systems
Includes online payment, billing, and checkout workflows
Third-Party Integrations
Vendor-hosted applications, scheduling tools, and embedded services
Consequences for Non-Compliance With Title II
There are various legal and reputational consequences that come with not meeting the ADA Title II requirements by the set deadline. It is important to ensure compliance, as there are several major risks including:
Federal investigations by the DOJ which can lead to enforcement actions
Legal settlements or litigation
Financial liability due to increased remediation costs and potential attorney fees
Reputational damage and loss of public trust
What Needs to be Fixed Before the Title II Deadline
State and local governments must adhere to WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines by the deadline to ensure they meet accessibility standards. For many organizations, this means identifying every affected system, completing rigorous testing, remediating any barriers, validating corrections, and building a foundation for accessibility that lasts long-term.
There are several actions that public sector entities can start with to meet the deadline. These include:
Modernizing website content by doing a full review – remove or archive old pages and documents that are no longer needed in order to reduce the amount of content requiring updates
Implement accessibility training for those currently working on digital content creation to ensure accessible webpages, documents, and social media posts moving forward
Publish an accessibility statement to communicate a commitment to accessible services and content
These are just a few of the ways state and local governments can get started with meeting the deadline, but a complete overhaul of digital content requires deep remediation strategies. This is why our team delivers end-to-end accessibility solutions to ensure the public sector meets that deadline. Sedna provides expertise to guide organizations every step of the way to achieving their accessibility goals while setting the foundation for an inclusive digital future.
Reach out to our team to learn more and get started with a free audit.
“Digital and website accessibility, while relatively easy to achieve, can be a game-changer in making communications and services universally accessible, thereby leveling the playing field for persons with disabilities.”
– Dr. Kalyan C. Kankanala, Author
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