Digital accessibility is not just a technical or IT issue — it is a governance, equity, and risk-management responsibility. The April 2026 ADA Title II deadline places a clear expectation on public agencies to ensure residents can access information, services, and programs regardless of ability.
Proactively addressing accessibility:
- Reduces legal and compliance risk
- Demonstrates a commitment to equitable public service
- Avoids rushed remediation and potentially higher costs as a result
- Builds public trust through transparency and inclusion
Leadership support is critical. Accessibility efforts are most successful when they are treated as an ongoing operational priority, not a one-time cleanup project.
ADA Digital Accessibility: A Plain-Language Overview
Under the U.S. Department of Justice’s ADA Title II final rule, state and local governments must ensure their digital content is accessible to people with disabilities. This includes individuals who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, captioning, or other assistive technologies.
Compliance is measured against WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, which focus on making digital content:
- Perceivable – users can see or hear the information
- Operable – users can navigate and interact with it
- Understandable – content is clear and predictable
- Robust – compatible with current and future assistive tools
In simple terms: if your community uses it online, it needs to be accessible.
What Digital Content Is Covered?
Public agencies are responsible for the accessibility of:
- Websites and webpages
- PDFs and downloadable documents
- Forms, permits, and applications
- Meeting agendas, minutes, and packets
- Reports, notices, and public communications
- Embedded media and linked documents
This applies to content hosted directly on your website and content linked from third-party platforms if it is used to deliver public services.
Compliance Deadlines to Know
Cities and Agencies Serving 50,000+ Residents
- Full compliance required by April 24, 2026
Cities and Special Districts Serving Fewer Than 50,000 Residents
- Not required to be fully compliant by April 2026
- Must have a documented, good-faith plan for achieving compliance
- Additional time is provided, but planning must begin now
Waiting until the deadline increases cost, complexity, and risk.
Archived vs. Active Content: What Needs Attention?
Not every legacy document must be remediated — but the rules are narrow and intentional.
Content That May Be Treated as Archived
Archived content generally:
- Was created before the compliance deadline
- Is kept only for reference or historical record
- Is stored in a clearly labeled archive section
- Has not been updated or reused
If archived content is updated or relied upon after the deadline, it must meet accessibility standards.
Content That Requires Remediation
- Documents needed to access programs or services
- Frequently used forms and reports
- Recently updated or newly posted content
- Materials tied to meetings, decisions, or compliance requirements
When in doubt, prioritize accessibility.
What Makes a Document Accessible?
Accessible digital documents — including PDFs — should:
- Contain real, selectable text (not scanned images)
- Include meaningful alternative text for images
- Use clear headings and logical structure
- Follow a correct reading order
- Include accessible tables, links, and form fields
- Be properly tagged for screen readers
If remediation is not feasible, agencies must provide an equally accessible alternative format upon request.
How to Prepare: A Practical Path Forward
- Inventory your digital content across departments
- Sort content into active, archived, or eligible for removal
- Prioritize remediation based on public use and impact
- Choose a remediation approach
- In-house tools and staff training
- Third-party accessibility remediation services and software
- Build accessibility into daily workflows for all new content
Early planning provides flexibility and avoids last-minute pressure.
Final Takeaway
ADA digital accessibility is an opportunity to improve how your agency serves the public. By starting now, cities and special districts can meet requirements thoughtfully, manage costs, and ensure information is accessible to everyone — not just compliant on paper.
April 2026 may feel far away, but accessibility remediation takes time — especially when documents span years and departments. If you haven’t started yet, now is the right time to build your ADA digital accessibility roadmap.
If you need help assessing your current content, developing a remediation plan, or creating an accessibility roadmap, contact us today!
