DOJ's Latest Rule on Web Accessibility: What You Need to Know
Deadlines for the Department of Justice's ADA updates kick off in April 2026. Here's what state and local governments need to know.
State and local governments must ensure that their web content and mobile apps are accessible to people with disabilities, consistent with the requirements of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
— Department of Justice, Final Rule on Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities
What Is the DOJ's Accessibility Rule for 2026 and Beyond?
The DOJ's ADA compliance changes establish updated rules for public entities to meet modern digital accessibility requirements. These rules ensure that digital content is accessible to people with disabilities. This includes websites, PDFs, and mobile apps.
Upcoming compliance deadlines in 2026 and 2027 make early preparation your best strategy.
How Do Public Entities Comply?
While the full rules provide more detail, compliance boils down to aligning digital content to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA.
"Digital content" refers to web content and mobile apps that entities provide or make available. This includes:
- Websites (text, images, and audio)
- Videos
- PDFs
- Mobile apps
Essentially, if your entity offers it digitally, it needs to meet the Title II law by following WCAG 2.1, Level AA guidelines.
There are some exceptions, such as some archived web content and preexisting social media posts, but these are limited situations. To be considered exempt, web content and mobile apps must meet specific definitions and criteria.
Who Has to Comply and When?
All U.S. state and local governments, including special districts, school districts, and public universities (regardless of population size), must meet Title II of the ADA. This includes:
- State and local government offices
- Public schools (K-12, community colleges, universities)
- State and local police departments
- State and local courts
- State and local election offices
- Public hospitals and healthcare clinics
- Public parks and recreation programs
- Public libraries
- Amtrak and public transit agencies
- Special districts
ADA Title II Deadlines
Important: Web accessibility requirements don't stop after the deadlines. State and local governments will need to keep their current and future digital content accessible by continually aligning with WCAG 2.1, Level AA guidelines.
Why Do the DOJ's Web Accessibility Rules Matter?
The most obvious reason: It's the law, and it protects civil rights. The ADA, enacted in 1990, prohibits discrimination and ensures equal access for people with disabilities. So, compliance keeps agencies within the law, helping avoid costly lawsuits and fines.
Equal access also enhances everyone's experience, including local government staff. It can help:
- Build public trust
- Reduce calls and in-person visits
- Boost your SEO (search engine optimization)
- Protect your organization's reputation
From the Official Ruling
"The final rule requires state and local governments to ensure that their web content and mobile apps are accessible to people with disabilities, consistent with the requirements of title II of the ADA. The rule adopts WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the technical standard for web content and mobile apps."Read the full ruling on ADA.gov →
Ready to Ensure Your Website Meets DOJ Requirements?
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