Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Department of Justice finalized new rules in April 2024 requiring state and local government websites to meet digital accessibility standards.
- Compliance deadlines are tied to population size, so your timeline depends on the size of the community your entity serves.
- Government finance departments are among the most at-risk — budgets, audit reports, and public meeting materials all fall under these requirements.
- The standard to meet is WCAG Level AA, a widely accepted benchmark for accessible web content.
- You don’t have to fix everything at once, but you do need a plan — and you need to start now.
If your government website isn’t accessible to people with disabilities, it’s not fully serving your community — and now, it may not be meeting federal law either.
In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice finalized new rules under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that set clear, enforceable digital accessibility requirements for state and local governments. The rule has been in the works for years, but its finalization marks a real shift: accessibility is no longer a best practice recommendation. It’s a compliance requirement with deadlines attached.
Who This Applies To
The rule covers state and local governments of all kinds — cities, counties, townships, school districts, and special districts such as regional water and sewer authorities or park districts. If your entity has a public-facing website, these requirements apply to you.
Deadlines for compliance are based on population size. Larger entities are required to comply first, with smaller entities and special districts given additional time.
If you’re unsure which category your entity falls into, the ADA Information Line can help clarify your applicable deadline.
Why Finance Departments Should Pay Close Attention
Every department with a public web presence needs to take this seriously, but government finance teams carry particular exposure. Finance offices publish some of the most document-heavy, data-intensive materials available on government websites — and those documents are squarely in scope.
Materials that must meet ADA accessibility standards include annual budgets, Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (ACFRs), the most recent audit report, public meeting agendas and minutes, and public records and retention policies. If those documents aren’t formatted and published in an accessible way, your department could face findings during an audit or legal challenge — even if the underlying financial work is sound.
The Standard: WCAG Level AA
The DOJ rule points to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, or WCAG, as the technical benchmark for compliance. Most state and local governments are expected to meet WCAG Level AA, a practical, widely accepted standard used across the public and private sectors.
In plain terms, your website and documents should be:
- Easy to see and read — sufficient color contrast, readable font sizes, and text alternatives for images
- Easy to navigate — keyboard-accessible menus and clearly structured pages
- Clear and understandable — plain language that serves a broad audience
- Compatible with assistive technology — properly structured documents that screen readers can interpret
- Inclusive of media alternatives — captions or transcripts for audio and video content
You don’t need to become a web development specialist to lead this work. What you do need is a clear understanding of what your site currently offers and where it falls short.
What Your Office Should Do Now
Compliance doesn’t require rebuilding your entire digital presence overnight. It does require honest assessment and a plan for steady progress. Here’s where to start:
- Know your deadline. Confirm your population category and the compliance timeline that applies to your entity.
- Review your current site. Connect with your IT department or website administrator to evaluate your site against WCAG Level AA requirements.
- Identify problem areas. Look for gaps in your highest-traffic pages and most frequently accessed public documents – those are your priority.
- Build a phased improvement plan. Work toward accessibility in stages, starting where your community is most likely to engage.
- Talk to your vendor. If a third-party vendor manages your website, confirm they understand these requirements and that your contract reflects your compliance obligations.
Accessibility Is Good Governance
Meeting these requirements isn’t just about avoiding legal risk — though that matters. It’s about fulfilling the basic promise of public service: that information belongs to everyone in your community, regardless of ability.
Accessible government websites are typically easier for all users to navigate, not just those with disabilities. Investments made now to improve clarity, structure, and readability will pay dividends for residents, employees, and staff for years to come.
Rea’s Government Services advisors work alongside Ohio public entities to navigate compliance requirements and assess risk across finance, audit, and technology. If you have questions about how these new rules apply to your entity, we’re ready to help. Contact Rea to start the conversation.
About the Author
Tim Herold, CPA is a Manager at Rea, where he has serves government clients across Ohio. Based in Rea’s Medina office, Tim specializes in government accounting and financial reporting, including the preparation of cash-to-GAAP financial statements in accordance with standards set by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). His background spans public accounting and financial services, giving him a grounded, practical perspective on the compliance challenges facing Ohio’s public entities. Tim works closely with local governments to help them meet their financial reporting obligations with accuracy and confidence.
