New Media Guides Address Title II Compliance
Two new informational videos have been released to guide public entities on digital accessibility and the updated ADA Title II regulations. The videos, titled "Digital Accessibility & the ADA Title II Update" and "A Complete Guide for Public Entities," stress that the DOJ's guidance is enforceable law. Legal experts featured in the content warn of a rising number of complaints and lawsuits against non-compliant institutions as the April 2026 deadline nears.
- The final rule, published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2024, amends the regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It establishes specific technical requirements for the accessibility of web content and mobile applications for state and local government entities. - Public entities are required to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA as the technical standard. This standard addresses a wide range of accessibility issues for individuals with vision, hearing, cognitive, and mobility disabilities. - The compliance deadline for public entities with a population of 50,000 or more is April 24, 2026. Smaller entities, with a population under 50,000, have until April 26, 2027, to comply. - This rule applies to all services, programs, and activities of state and local governments, which explicitly includes public schools, community colleges, and universities. - The regulation extends to third-party contractors that provide web and mobile app services on behalf of public entities. For instance, if a public university uses a private company for its learning management system, that platform must also meet the accessibility requirements. - Certain types of content are exempt from the new rule, including archived web content, pre-existing electronic documents, and content posted by third parties on a public entity's website that is not part of a contractual arrangement. - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has emphasized that this rule provides much-needed clarity for public entities, moving from general guidance to an enforceable technical standard to ensure equal access for people with disabilities.
