ADA Compliance and Public Engagement: What Agencies Need to Know Now

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is more than a legal requirement—it’s a commitment to equity, ensuring that all residents can access public services and participate in civic life. Unfortunately, many government websites still put up unintended roadblocks for people with disabilities, making it hard for them to stay informed and share their thoughts on important decisions. That’s why the Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued new rules, making it clear: digital accessibility is not optional.

In this post, we’ll take a look at what this means for your agency, why it really matters for inclusive community engagement, and what you need to do before time runs out.

Key Department of Justice ADA Compliance Deadlines

The ADA’s Title II requires state and local governments to make their digital services accessible to everyone. According to the DOJ’s 2024 ruling, you’ll need to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA by:

• • • April 24, 2026 – Governments serving 50,000+ residents
    • April 24, 2027 – Smaller governments and special districts

Agencies that delay risk lawsuits, fines, and public criticism from accessibility advocacy groups.

What requirements apply?

Meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards means making your digital presence work for everyone, whether they have visual, hearing, cognitive, or physical disabilities. Here’s what you need to cover:

• • • Keyboard Navigation – Your site should work perfectly without a mouse
    • Alternative Text for Images – Help screen readers describe images clearly
    • Closed Captions for Videos – Make sure everyone can follow your video content
    • Accessible Forms & Documents – Design them to work smoothly with assistive technology
    • Text Size, Zoom, and Structure – Make sure people can adjust text size without breaking the layout, and keep content well-organized for screen readers
    • Regular Accessibility Checks – Use both automated tools and human reviews to catch any issues

The Cost of Inaction

Ignoring these requirements can seriously impact your agency:

• • • Legal – Agencies who miss the deadline could face lawsuits, forced website updates, and hefty fines (up to $75,000 for first violations and $150,000 after that)
    • Public Backlash – Accessibility advocates are organized and often exert influence through very public criticism and public relations campaigns against public sector organizations.
    • Barriers to Public Engagement – If residents can’t access information or provide input, they’re effectively left out of community decisions
    • Operational Setbacks – Playing catch-up after legal challenges costs more than getting it right the first time.

How PublicInput Ensures Your Compliance

PublicInput is a comprehensive community engagement platform designed to help government agencies reach more residents, gather feedback, and make informed decisions.

The platform goes beyond compliance to provide tools that support genuine public participation, ensuring accessibility is integrated into every aspect of engagement.  

Here is  a high-level listing of the key PublicInput accessibility commitments and features:

• • • WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance Interfaces – All public-facing tools adhere to federal accessibility standards.
    • Automated & Manual Accessibility Reviews – Regular testing, including screen reader compatibility checks.
    • Accessible Surveys & Meetings – Built-in support for alternative text, closed captions, and multilingual accessibility.
    • Mobile-Friendly, Assistive Tech-Compatible Tools – Optimized for all devices and screen readers.
    • Clear & Inclusive Question Formats – Designed to maximize participation without barriers.
    • Live Captioning & Transcription for Public Meetings – Ensures equitable access to discussions in real-time.

Beyond Compliance – Benefits of Accessibility 

Beyond avoiding legal trouble, digital accessibility strengthens public participation. When governments prioritize accessibility, they:

• • • Expanding Reach: Accessibility ensures that all residents, regardless of ability, can stay informed and actively participate in government initiatives.
    • Removing Barriers to Participation: Digital accessibility allows people with disabilities to engage in surveys, public meetings, and feedback opportunities as easily as everyone else.
    • Improving Communication: Features like captions, alt text, and accessible documents improve the clarity and usability of public information.
    • Building Trust Through Equity: Agencies that prioritize accessibility demonstrate a commitment to equity, strengthening relationships with the communities they serve.
    • Making Public Meetings Inclusive: Both virtual and in-person public meetings must provide accommodations, ensuring that all residents can engage meaningfully.
    • Providing Equitable Digital Access: Offering closed-captioning and ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies (screen readers, magnifiers, and text to speech) enables all residents to access and engage with content.
    • Simplifying Accommodation Requests: Clear and user-friendly accommodation request options help individuals with disabilities fully participate in public engagement.

Take Action to get ahead of compliance deadlines

ADA compliance isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about ensuring every resident has a voice. The deadline is fast approaching, but the good news is that agencies don’t have to tackle it alone.

Looking for a streamlined approach? Schedule a quick chat with a PublicInput expert to see how others are successfully meeting accessibility goals.

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