In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published a new rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that sets clear, technical requirements for web accessibility for state and local government entities. This rule, effective June 24, 2024, requires covered public entities to make their web content and mobile applications accessible to people with disabilities by conforming with specific technical standards (WCAG 2.1 Level AA).
While this rule was written with public entities in mind, its ripple effects and broader implications mean that organizations interacting with government services – including contractors, partners, and vendors – also need to understand and adapt to accessible design. That’s where we come in. Here’s how our accessibility-focused design firm can help your organization not only meet compliance, but lead with inclusive digital experiences.
What the New ADA Title II Rule Means
The rule clarifies and modernizes web accessibility obligations for state and local governments by requiring:
- Websites, web content, and mobile apps to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.
- Accessibility that covers all content available through web browsers – including text, images, video, audio, and documents.
- Deadlines for compliance (e.g., larger public entities by April 24, 2026, and smaller ones by later dates, depending on population).
- Limited exceptions (e.g., archived content or certain legacy documents), but with continued ADA obligations for effective communication.
- Even organizations not directly covered can use these standards as best practices – and many accessibility lawsuits or enforcement actions already rely on WCAG as the benchmark.
How Hester Designs is Helping Clients
Our firm specializes in accessible web design and development that goes beyond minimum compliance to build inclusive digital services. Here’s how we support clients in light of the new Title II requirements:
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Accessibility Audits and Gap Analysis
- We can perform in-depth accessibility audits of your website and digital assets.
- Benchmark current accessibility against WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 AA and DOJ expectations.
- Identify where your content falls short (e.g., navigation, keyboard usability, form labels, media captions).
- Prioritize fixes that reduce legal risk and enhance user experience.
This audit becomes your roadmap for compliance and improvement.
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Accessibility starts with design. At Hester Designs we:
- Design with accessibility in mind, ensuring color contrast, clear structure, and keyboard navigation from the outset.
- Build sites using tesing throughout so assistive technologies (like screen readers) can reliably interpret your content.
Our work helps ensure your web presence is usable by everyone, including people with disabilities.
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Ongoing Monitoring & Maintenance
Accessibility isn’t a one-time task – content changes constantly. This is especially important as web content grows or integrates third-party tools. We provide:
- Checks to catch regressions or new issues.
- Maintenance services to ensure future updates stay compliant as your offerings evolve.
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Training & Internal Support
Understanding accessibility empowers your team. We offer:
- Workshops and training on WCAG best practices.
- Guidance for content editors to create accessible content (e.g., alt text, headings, link text).
- Support for internal teams responsible for compliance initiatives.
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Training & Internal Support
Understanding accessibility empowers your team. We offer:
- Workshops and training on WCAG best practices.
- Guidance for content editors to create accessible content (e.g., alt text, headings, link text).
- Support for internal teams responsible for compliance initiatives.
The Value of Accessibility
Investing in accessibility aligns with ethics, usability, and compliance:
- It expands your audience by including people with disabilities.
- It reduces legal risk as regulations evolve and enforcement increases.
- It strengthens brand reputation as an inclusive and forward-thinking organization.
Key Compliance Deadlines
Compliance deadlines depend on the population size of the public entity:
- Entities serving 50,000 people or more: April 24, 2026 — must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility requirements by this date.
- Entities serving fewer than 50,000 people: April 26, 2027 — smaller jurisdictions have an extra year to comply.
- Special district governments: April 26, 2027 — similar extended deadline regardless of population measurement.
These timelines give covered public entities roughly two to three years from the rule’s publication in April 2024 to conform all applicable digital content and services to the technical accessibility standard.
Our final thoughts...
The new ADA Title II rule is a major milestone in digital accessibility policy, bringing greater clarity and accountability. Whether you’re a government entity, a contractor working with public agencies, or an organization committed to equitable design, meeting these standards is no longer optional – it’s expected.
Our firm is ready to guide you every step of the way with expert, accessible, and user-centric solutions. Ready to elevate your web presence? Let’s build accessibility that works for everyone.