The Attorney General’s final rule on website and mobile app accessibility for state and local governments takes effect in June 2024. Widely seen as an important step in broadening online access for disabled people, this first-of-its-kind ruling could signal future Department of Justice rulemaking affecting businesses under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Websites and apps must be accessible to people with disabilities, ensuring equal access to services. Non-compliant features include issues like poor color contrast, inaccessible documents, as well as poor navigation and video content. Adherence could have far-reaching effects, impacting sectors like healthcare and finance.
What’s the Ruling?
A recent rule from the Department of Justice (DOJ) ensures that websites and mobile apps are accessible to individuals with disabilities. It provides clarity for what state and local governments need to do so that everyone can use their online services.
This regulation is important for people who rely on these platforms for essential information and services such as healthcare and filing taxes. Additionally, it will help eliminate barriers for millions of Americans with disabilities.
As the DOJ explains:
“For example, government websites and mobile apps often allow the public to obtain information or correspond with local officials without having to wait in line or be placed on hold. Members of the public can also pay fines, apply for State benefits, renew State-issued identification, register to vote, file taxes, obtain up-to-date health and safety resources, request copies of vital records, access mass transit schedules, and complete numerous other tasks via government websites. Individuals can perform many of these same functions on mobile apps.”
This applies to public entities, including state and local governments, with different deadlines depending on population size. Larger municipalities must comply by April 24, 2026, while smaller ones have until April 26, 2027.
How Is a Website Not Accessible?
A website is considered inaccessible when it fails to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities. This includes:
- Poor color contrast
- Scanned or unstructured documents
- Difficult navigation
- Video content
Poor color contrast can make text difficult to read for those with visual impairments. Scanned or unstructured documents can’t be interpreted by screen readers, which is essential for visually impaired users. Difficult navigation can hinder those with motor impairments who rely on keyboard shortcuts or assistive technologies to browse. Video content without captions excludes those who are hard of hearing, preventing them from accessing important information.
To address these issues, websites must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. There are some exceptions, such as sounds that last for a couple of seconds or additional content controlled by the user. However, these guidelines outline standards for making web content more accessible, ensuring that websites are usable by everyone.
Implications for Businesses
The DOJ Accessibility Requirements for Local Governments have significant implications for businesses. Contractors providing public services for governments must ensure compliance with these accessibility standards. The same is true for web, app, or AI developers working on public entity projects.
This requirement could potentially extend to businesses in sectors like healthcare and finance in the future. Like local and state governments, businesses in these sectors provide essential services to large populations, potentially prompting similar rulings for these industries.
For businesses updating their client-facing websites or apps to comply with these standards, it is crucial to consider cybersecurity implications. Installing new apps or code snippets can introduce vulnerabilities, so it’s important to carefully vet third-party solutions to ensure they meet both accessibility and security standards. By doing so, businesses can ensure that their digital platforms are accessible to everyone while maintaining robust cybersecurity.
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Ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities is crucial for equitable service access. Issues like poor color contrast and difficult navigation in websites and apps hinder this access. Compliance with accessibility standards, such as WCAG, can greatly impact sectors like healthcare and finance. TenHats assists businesses in achieving compliance, fostering adaptability and competitiveness.
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