For many years, there’s been a concern about the lack of clear guidelines in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on how to make digital experiences accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. This has been a point of frustration for people who work on digital accessibility, as well as state and local government agencies. There’s some good news!
The rule was originally proposed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in August 2023. It continues its efforts to make the ADA clearer when it comes to the digital world. Are you unsure if your organization is affected, or what you need to do to comply? This blog post will explain the DOJ’s new rule in more detail. We’ll cover what types of agencies are impacted, what compliance means in practical terms, and how you can get started meeting these requirements before the deadlines.
What is ADA Title II?
Why Was the ADA Title II Update Needed?
For instance, people who are blind might rely on screen readers to convert website content into spoken words. Imagine a government website with important information displayed in an image but without any written description (called “alt text”). A screen reader wouldn’t be able to understand that image, leaving the user with no way to access that information.
This update to the ADA aims to make sure everyone has equal access to government services, programs, and activities offered online. It also provides clearer guidelines for government agencies on how to meet these accessibility standards.
Key Points of the ADA Title II Update
The update provides clearer guidelines for what makes digital content accessible and sets deadlines for organizations to comply. This means that future digital content should be easier to use for everyone from the beginning. Here’s a breakdown of the key changes:
Clearer Accessibility Standards: The update lays out specific guidelines for making digital content accessible. These guidelines are based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA and cover a variety of ways to improve accessibility.
Wider Coverage: The update applies to more than just state and local governments. Organizations that work with them, like public schools and hospitals, are also included.
Some Exceptions: There are a few situations where the updated standards don’t apply. For instance, websites that are archived and no longer in use don’t need to be changed. Other exceptions include older electronic files, password-protected documents, content from other organizations, and specific social media posts made before the deadline.
Who Needs to Comply with the New Update of ADA Title II?
- Public schools (pre-schools, elementary, high schools)
- Community colleges and public universities
- Public libraries
- State and local courts
