We often think about accessibility in the physical world: wheelchair ramps, accessible parking spaces, elevators, automatic doors and other accommodations that make businesses and public spaces easier for everyone to use.
But what about your website?
Digital accessibility has become an increasingly important part of creating an effective online presence, and upcoming federal compliance deadlines are bringing even more attention to the issue.
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a final rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) establishing specific technical accessibility requirements for websites and mobile apps provided by state and local governments. In 2026, the DOJ extended the original compliance deadlines. Public entities serving populations of 50,000 or more now generally have until April 26, 2027, while smaller public entities and special district governments generally have until April 26, 2028.
While these particular deadlines apply to state and local governments, the conversation surrounding digital accessibility is one every organization should be paying attention to.
What Does an Accessible Website Mean?
An accessible website is designed so people with disabilities can effectively access its information, features, services and functionality.
Someone who is blind or has low vision, for example, may rely on screen-reading technology to navigate a website. Someone with limited mobility may navigate using a keyboard rather than a mouse. Video content may require captions for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Under the DOJ’s Title II web accessibility rule, covered state and local government websites and mobile apps generally must meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards.
Those standards address many elements of the digital experience, including text, images, videos, documents, navigation, forms and other online content.
What Organizations Are Affected by the New Deadlines?
This distinction is important. The DOJ’s new technical rule applies specifically to state and local government entities covered by Title II of the ADA. That can include state and local agencies, municipalities, public schools and universities, libraries and other public entities.
The requirements can also extend beyond content created internally. According to the DOJ, web content or mobile apps that a public entity makes available through contractual, licensing or other arrangements generally fall under the rule as well. That means hiring an outside company to build or manage a website does not automatically remove the public entity’s accessibility responsibilities.
For private businesses and nonprofits, ADA obligations can differ, and the new Title II deadline should not be interpreted as a blanket April 2027 deadline for every website in America. Still, accessibility should be part of the conversation when building or updating any website.
Why Does Website Accessibility Matter?
Compliance is certainly an important consideration, but accessibility is also about your audience.
Your website may be one of the first places someone interacts with your organization. If they can’t navigate your menu, understand an image, complete a form, watch a video, read a document or access important information, you’ve created a barrier between that person and your organization.
The DOJ points out that inaccessible digital services can prevent people with disabilities from completing everyday activities, including accessing government benefits, registering to vote, participating in public education, or using other public programs and services.
Accessibility ultimately contributes to a better digital experience by encouraging organizations to think more intentionally about how people interact with online content.
What Should You Be Looking For?
Digital accessibility involves much more than adding an accessibility statement to the footer of your website.
Organizations should evaluate things like alternative text for meaningful images, keyboard navigation, color contrast, properly structured headings, accessible online forms, captions for video content, descriptive links and accessible downloadable documents such as PDFs.
Accessibility also shouldn’t be treated as a one-time project. Websites change. New pages are added, employees upload documents, events are created, photos are posted and third-party tools are introduced. Maintaining an accessible website requires an ongoing process.
In fact, the DOJ recommends that public entities identify their existing digital content, determine what needs to comply, prioritize necessary fixes, train employees, review vendor relationships and establish internal accessibility policies.
Don’t Wait Until the Deadline
If your organization is covered by the new Title II requirements, April 2027 may sound far away — but now is the time to prepare. Auditing a large website, addressing accessibility issues, updating documents, reviewing third-party integrations and potentially rebuilding an outdated website can take time.
And even if your organization isn’t subject to this particular deadline, there’s still a bigger question worth asking: Can everyone who visits your website actually use it?
At Reimagine Main Street, we believe a modern website should do more than look good. It should provide a thoughtful, user-friendly experience designed to help people find information and take action.
If your website is outdated or you’re unsure whether accessibility was considered when it was built, now is a great time to start the conversation. Let’s reimagine your website with every user in mind.