DOJ Signs Final Rule on Web Accessibility for State and Local Governments

What Happened

On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice published a final rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This rule establishes specific technical requirements for web content and mobile applications provided by state and local government entities.

The rule adopts WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the baseline standard for digital accessibility compliance.

Why Municipal Contractors Should Care

If you hold municipal contracts — or plan to bid on them — this rule directly affects you. Any digital asset you create, host, or manage on behalf of a public entity must now meet these standards.

This includes:

• Project portals and bid submission systems
• Informational websites about public works
• PDF documents including engineering drawings, site plans, and proposals
• Digital document repositories

The Timeline

The rule establishes a phased compliance timeline based on population:

• Entities serving 50,000+: Compliance required by April 24, 2026
• Entities serving under 50,000: Compliance required by April 26, 2027

What You Should Do Now

The window for preparation is closing. Contractors who can demonstrate proactive compliance efforts — documented through audit logs and remediation tracking — will have a significant competitive advantage in the RFP process.

Start by scanning your existing digital assets for WCAG 2.1 AA blockers, particularly around keyboard navigation, alternative text for images, and PDF accessibility.