Understanding ADA Title II Compliance: What Municipalities Need to Know (And Do Today)
What Is ADA Title II and What Changed?
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act ensures equal access to public services, programs, and activities for people with disabilities. That includes access through digital platforms like your municipal website or service portal.
In April 2024, the Department of Justice finalized a rule specifying that compliance is measured against Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.
Compliance Deadlines for Municipalities
April 24, 2026: For municipalities serving over 50,000 residents.
April 26, 2027: For municipalities under 50,000 residents and special district governments.
These are federal deadlines and apply to all states.
How Accessibility is Measured
Digital accessibility isn’t just about having a website that “works.” It’s about ensuring residents with disabilities can navigate, understand, and interact with your content just as easily as everyone else. Under the DOJ’s rule, compliance is measured using WCAG 2.1 Level AA, which covers a range of criteria like:
Perceivable: Content is presented in ways users can perceive (e.g., alt text for images, captions for videos).
Operable: All functionality works with a keyboard and without time restrictions that block access.
Understandable: Text is readable, navigation is predictable, and forms have clear labels and error messages.
Robust: Content works well with assistive technologies like screen readers.
A few easy accessibility tips you can start today:
Add alt text to all images, describing their purpose.
Check color contrast to ensure text stands out against backgrounds.
Make forms accessible by labeling all fields and offering clear instructions.
Avoid PDF-only content, post important information in HTML whenever possible.
Even small changes like these can move your site closer to WCAG compliance while you plan larger updates.
How Munibit Can Help You Comply on Time
You could spend months managing audits, learning WCAG, and fixing issues manually, or you could let Munibit handle it for you.
With Munibit, you get:
A website designed with WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines in mind to help your municipality meet modern accessibility standards.
Built-in accessibility features like semantic structure, keyboard navigation, screen reader support, and compliant forms.
PDF-free workflows so residents can fill out forms online in an accessible way.
Built-in Accessibility Statement and tools to gather and manage feedback.
Continuous monitoring and reporting so you stay compliant after launch.
By starting now, you avoid the last-minute scramble in 2026 or 2027 and you can give your residents a better online experience right away.
Book a demo to ensure website compliance before the 2027 deadline →
TL;DR: Understanding ADA Title II Compliance: What Municipalities Need to Know (And Do Today)
ADA Title II now requires municipal websites and mobile apps to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards. Towns and cities with over 50,000 residents must comply by April 24, 2026 and under 50,000 have until April 26, 2027. This post explains the rules, how accessibility is measured, and how Munibit makes meeting the requirements simple.