ADA Title II
Web Accessibility Deadline
Compliance Required By
April 24, 2026
On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice published a final rule requiring state and local governments to make their web content and mobile applications accessible to people with disabilities under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
What Is ADA Title II?
Published on April 24, 2024, the final rule establishes technical standards based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. This applies to all state and local government entities' web content, mobile applications, and digital services.
Who Must Comply?
Title II of the ADA applies to all state and local government entities, including:
- State governments - All agencies, departments, and programs
- Counties - County governments and all county services
- Cities and towns - Municipal governments of all sizes
- Special districts - School districts, water districts, transit authorities
- Public institutions - Schools, libraries, hospitals, universities
Population-Based Deadlines
📅 April 24, 2026
Public entities with populations of 50,000 or more
📅 April 26, 2027
Public entities with populations under 50,000 and special district governments
* Population determined by U.S. Census Bureau data
Compliance Timeline
April 24, 2024
PUBLISHEDDOJ published the final rule establishing web accessibility requirements for state and local governments.
April 24, 2026
DEADLINE - 50K+Public entities with populations of 50,000 or more must comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
April 26, 2027
DEADLINE - UNDER 50KPublic entities with populations under 50,000 and special district governments must comply.
Start Now
RECOMMENDEDBegin your compliance journey immediately. Most organizations need 6-12 months for comprehensive accessibility remediation.
Ongoing Compliance
After meeting the deadline, continuous monitoring and documentation are required to maintain compliance.
What Must Be Accessible
Digital Content Covered
The rule applies to all programs, services, and activities offered through digital means:
- Websites and web applications
- Mobile applications (iOS and Android)
- Digital documents (PDFs, Word docs, Excel)
- Videos and audio content
- Social media posts (new content)
- Online course content and learning materials
Limited Exceptions
The rule includes narrow exceptions for:
- Archived web content not in current use
- Pre-existing conventional electronic documents
- Content posted by third parties (under certain conditions)
- Password-protected individualized documents
- Pre-existing social media posts (before compliance date)
* Exceptions do not eliminate the underlying ADA obligation to provide access
Why Compliance Matters
Understanding the risks of non-compliance and the importance of accessibility
Legal Action & Lawsuits
DOJ enforcement actions and private lawsuits under ADA. Non-compliance exposes your organization to legal challenges and costly litigation.
Financial Penalties
DOJ civil penalties: Up to $55,000 first violation
Subsequent violations: Up to $110,000
Private lawsuits: Additional damages and legal fees
Plus legal fees, remediation costs, and settlement expenses that can exceed millions. Private lawsuits under ADA Title II can result in additional damages beyond DOJ penalties.
Reputation Damage
Public perception issues and loss of community trust. Non-compliance signals your organization doesn't prioritize serving all citizens equally.
Service Disruption
Exclusion of citizens with disabilities from essential government services, voting information, emergency alerts, and critical public resources.
The good news: A3S helps you achieve and maintain compliance with expert-led solutions, comprehensive documentation, and ongoing monitoring - protecting your organization while ensuring equal access for all citizens.
How A3S Ensures Compliance
Comprehensive Audit
Expert manual testing by IAAP-certified professionals ensures every aspect of your digital properties meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
Expert Remediation
Our team fixes identified issues with proven methodologies, ensuring sustainable and compliant solutions.
Legal Documentation
Comprehensive documentation package demonstrating good faith compliance efforts and ongoing commitment.
Continuous Monitoring
Real-time tracking ensures your digital properties remain compliant as content changes and updates are made.
Don't Wait Until the Deadline
Start your accessibility compliance journey today. Our expert team has helped counties and municipalities across the country meet their deadlines with confidence.
Questions? Contact our compliance team
Additional Resources
Official DOJ Final Rule
Read the complete Department of Justice final rule on web accessibility for state and local governments.
View DOJ Rule(opens in new window)WCAG 2.1 Guidelines
Understand the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines that form the technical standard.
View WCAG 2.1(opens in new window)A3S Program Overview
Learn how our comprehensive accessibility program ensures continuous compliance.
View A3S Program