ADA Compliance for Small Municipal Websites
Your municipality’s website is a public space. That means it must be accessible to every resident including those with disabilities.
Many small municipalities unintentionally exclude users by using scanned PDFs, images without alt text, inaccessible menus, etc. Beyond that, non-compliant websites are increasingly targeted in lawsuits, even in small municipalities.
This guide explains what ADA compliance means and how your municipality can meet modern standards.
What Does ADA Compliance Mean?
ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act. It requires public digital spaces, like government websites, to be accessible to people with disabilities.
The standard used for websites is called WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). It includes things like keyboard navigation, contrast ratios, and proper labeling of content.
Common Accessibility Problems on Small Municipal Websites
No alt text on images
Text that is too small or low contrast
PDFs that cannot be read by screen readers
Menus that cannot be navigated by keyboard
Forms without field labels
Why It Matters for Your Municipality
Legal: ADA compliance is not optional for public entities
Ethical: Everyone should be able to access town services
Practical: Accessibility improves usability for all residents
Even if you’re not currently facing a lawsuit, a non-accessible website is a risk.
What You Can Do Right Now
Add alt text to all new images
Use headings properly in your page structure
Avoid using scanned PDFs (replace with HTML pages or text docs)
Consider an accessibility audit from Munibit
TL;DR: ADA Compliance for Small Municipal Websites
Accessibility is not just a legal requirement. It’s about equity and trust.
Make sure your municipal website:
Works with screen readers
Has readable fonts and clear contrast
Can be navigated without a mouse
Is free from inaccessible PDFs