Estimated reading time
1-2 min
What are DOJ's Requirements?
The Department of Justice requires all U.S. local governments to have WCAG 2.1 AA in accordance with The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
When do These Requirements Take Effect?
- 0 - 49,999 population requires compliance by April 26, 2027
- 50,000+ population requires compliance by April 24, 2026
How is Web Compliance Achieved?
Simply, website compliance looks at three primary components of your website: development, design, and content.
- Design. Let's say that your website has strong colour contrast that meets accessibility standards. People with low vision, people who are colour blind, and people squinting at their phone screens on a sunny day all benefit from better readability.
- Development. Or, for instance, your website is built so that it's easy to navigate by keyboard, as well as mouse. You have created a better user experience for anyone whose arm was amputated, whose hands are getting shakier as they get older, or who needs to hold their baby while they look at your site.
- Content. Or, for example, your website is written in plain language with short, descriptive headings and clear calls to action. Someone with low digital literacy or English fluency, someone using a screen-reading tool, and someone scanning for information quickly on a busy day will find your site easy to use.
These three categories all must follow the extensive list of website accessibility guidelines set out by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C); specifically, ADA requires WCAG 2.1 AA.
How Do I Know if My Website is Compliant?
In order to determine comprehensive accessibility compliance an accessibility scan and audit needs to be conducted by a vendor with the knowledge and resources to conduct one. If you are concerned or uncertain about your website's accessibility compliance, don't worry! Upanup offers a complimentary, no obligation sample report to provide you with a high level accessibility score. We will also provide next step recommendations on what would need to occur to meet requirements if your municipality requires it.