7 Steps to Meeting the DOJ's New Web Accessibility Ruling

On April 24, 2024, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a final rule on website accessibility for state and local governments. The rule sets forth requirements to ensure website content and mobile applications are accessible to people with disabilities. These requirements address Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide individuals with disabilities “equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.”

Related Read: The Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) Latest Rule on Web Accessibility: What State and Local Governments Need to Know

State and local governments must prepare their website and mobile application platforms for this ruling to ensure compliance when it goes into effect on June 24, 2024. State and local governments need to comply by specific dates based on their population size. Specifically, public entities (other than special district governments) with a total population of 50,000 or more, must comply with this rule by April 24, 2026. Public entities (or any public entity that is a special district government) with a total population under 50,000 must comply with this rule by April 26, 2027.

The new ruling underscores the critical role that technology plays in connecting local governments to their residents. Additionally, the new ruling aligns to the changing preferences and expectations of residents in how they access local government resources, services, and news. According to research, 21.3% of people in the United States use assistive technology and tools to access digital resources, emphasizing the need for local governments to prioritize digital accessibility. Beyond being a legal requirement, this imperative is critical to promoting inclusivity, providing positive digital experiences, and increasing resident engagement and trust in local government. According to the recent CivicPlus® national survey examining the link between technology, government transparency, and resident trust, individuals who engage with their city’s website more than once a month exhibit nearly five times higher trust in their city. This finding further highlights the importance of digital accessibility for all residents.

What Does the New Legislation on Web Accessibility Require?

The DOJ’s final rule under the ADA sets accessibility standards for web content and mobile apps for state and local governments and is designed to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to online public services. Specifically, the standard set in the ruling — WCAG 2.1 — sets requirements for text descriptions of images, time-based media, adaptable and distinguishable content, keyboard navigation, and compatibility with screen readers.
The ruling aims to eliminate barriers to accessing online services provided by public entities, ensuring that essential digital information and services are accessible to everyone, regardless of disabilities.

7 Steps State and Local Governments Can Take to Comply with New Accessibility Standards

In response to the DOJ’s ruling, state and local governments must implement specific measures to ensure compliance with new accessibility standards. The following steps and strategies outline CivicPlus’s recommended path forward:

1. Understand accessibility standards: Before making any changes, agencies should train all internal digital content creators and editors on the new guidelines to meet compliance standards across departments.
2. Conduct comprehensive digital accessibility audits: Next, state and local governments need to review and audit all content published on websites, mobile applications, and digital networks. Thorough auditing will uncover accessibility gaps and identify content that does not meet compliance standards.
3. Establish a clear compliance plan: Following the auditing process, implement a compliance plan to make sure all digital content adheres to new standards. Compliance plans are step-by-step policies and procedures to help entities abide by laws or regulations. Establishing a clear compliance plan will create consistency across departments to reduce discrepancies and gaps in accessible content.
4. Distribute the plan: With a compliance plan in place, leverage available channels to clearly communicate your plan to staff, residents, council members, and relevant stakeholders. Guaranteeing that the appropriate people have access to the plan will help adhere to compliance and assist those who encounter accessibility barriers.
5. Implement the plan: Now with a plan in place and all the stakeholders aware of the compliance plan, it is time to implement.
6. Use automated technology to monitor and update content for accessibility standards: Use automated technology to quickly review content for accessibility compliance. Monitor and update on a continuous basis to ensure digital accessibility amid new technology adoption and changing regulations.
7. Develop a feedback program for residents: Establish a feedback program for residents to share their input, challenges, and positive experiences when engaging with online content to meet full accessibility at all times.

By removing barriers to compliance, keeping content up-to-date with the latest requirements, and involving residents and staff throughout the process, agencies can be sure that all residents, regardless of their abilities, can access content online. Web accessibility is an ever-changing, ongoing process, and local governments can demonstrate their commitment to digital inclusion by following the steps outlined above.

Ample Resources Will Be a Top Challenge for Accessibility Compliance

Addressing accessibility can be challenging for state and local governments, as it requires time, effort, expertise, and funding. However, with the right technology and resources in place, common hurdles such as staffing shortages, limited regulatory training, and budget restraints become easier to manage.

Investing in technology offers one way to overcome these challenges. By partnering with an innovative technology provider, governments can automate and streamline administrative tasks, thereby freeing up staff to focus more on accessibility initiatives. Such investments not only help meet new standards and regulations but also boost resident trust and community satisfaction.

A Proactive Approach to Accessibility

Accessibility should be a top priority, not an afterthought. While the new ruling only mandates certain accessibility standards, agencies should still prioritize accessibility across all digital content and platforms. Prioritizing accessibility can include steps like ensuring appropriate reading levels, and hosting content on easy-to-navigate platforms.

Taking a proactive approach to digital accessibility will enable local governments to adhere to new standards faster, making the transition to a fully accessible online presence seamless.

Building Trust Through Accessibility with CivicPlus

By embracing digital accessibility, state and local governments can cultivate trust, transparency, and community satisfaction. While the journey toward full digital accessibility is an investment of time and money, it represents the need for governments to prioritize equity and inclusion for all.

The right integrated technology can play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance with current and future accessibility standards and creating positive resident experiences. To get started on your accessibility journey, request a free web accessibility scan today.