How to Build an Accessible Government Website That Every Citizen Can Use
UPDATE (April 2026): The U.S. Department of Justice extended the ADA Title II web accessibility deadlines. Municipalities, counties, and special districts under 50,000 population now have until April 26, 2028 to comply. Larger public entities of 50,000 or more now have until April 26, 2027. The technical requirements have not changed. Read the full update here
What Accessibility Means
Accessibility ensures that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, and navigate your website. It’s a cornerstone of ADA compliance and a requirement under ADA Title II (which will be required by the DOJ in April 2027)
Core accessibility features include:
Screen reader compatibility
Keyboard navigation
High color contrast
Descriptive links and alt text
Logical page structure
Learn more about ADA accessibility here.
Why Accessibility Benefits Everyone
Improved Usability
Accessible design makes your website easier to use for all visitors, including those on mobile devices or with slow connections.
Legal Protection
ADA Title II requires accessibility for all government services. Compliance reduces legal risk and ensures equality.
Enhanced Trust
When residents can access public information easily, it builds confidence in their local government.
See related compliance guidance here.
How Munibit Supports Accessible Websites
Munibit’s approach ensures every website is built to support ADA and WCAG 2.1 AA standards while remaining simple to maintain.
We provide:
Websites built to support WCAG 2.1 AA standards
Built-in accessibility tools
Ongoing compliance checks
Staff training for accessible content updates
Accessibility shouldn’t be a one-time fix. We design for long-term inclusion and improved compliance.
Case Study: City of Fergus Falls
City of Fergus Falls’ website was difficult for screen reader users and lacked alt text. Munibit rebuilt it with accessibility in mind.
Results:
improved ADA compliance
Increase in citizen engagement
Recognition from local organizations
Accessibility transformed their website into a community resource.
Learn more about accessibility and ADA Title II here: ADA Resources
Next Steps
If your local government website hasn’t thought about improving its accessibility, now is the time. Schedule a walkthrough to discuss the details.
TL;DR - How to Build an Accessible Government Website That Every Citizen Can Use
Accessibility ensures every citizen can interact with your city’s website. Learn the principles of accessible design and how Munibit helps you improve ADA compliance.