What State Agency Leaders Need to Know About the New Title II ADA Rule

What is the New Rule?

In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice released a final rule under Title II of the ADA mandating that state and local governments ensure their services and programs are accessible to individuals with disabilities. This regulation applies to web content (including uploaded PDFs and other documents) and mobile applications.

Notably, this rule establishes explicit technical standards for the first time, providing state agencies and local entities with concrete guidance and a deadline for achieving compliance.

What are the Key Requirements?

  1. Meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA Compliance

    • All content must meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, the internationally recognized standard for digital accessibility. 

  2. Applies to All Web Content and Mobile Applications

    • Agencies on GovHub meet WCAG technical standards. However, everyone must also assess the accessibility of content such as text, audio and video content, and uploads, including PDFs.

  3. Finalize by the Deadline

    • Georgia state agencies must meet compliance by April 24, 2026. Entities serving a population below 50,000 persons and special district governments have an extra year. View source (external link).

  4. Understand Limited Exceptions

    • Some archived content and certain individualized documents may qualify for limited exceptions. Check the Final Rule and ADA Fact Sheet for specifications and instructions.

Why It Matters

All Georgia state agencies have been required to follow the state's Digital Standards for the benefit of our constituents. Ensuring that there are no barriers to your agency's information serves everyone. Additionally, compliance with the Title II Rule can lower the likelihood of legal action and ADA-related grievances.

What Should Agencies Do Now?

Get started—see “Resources for State Agencies” on our accessibility page for available services and tools. Contact the Digital Services team to discuss these services.

Set up your next steps:

  1. Learn the basics
  2. Inventory your digital properties
  3. Create an accessibility roadmap
  4. Educate your team
  5. Include accessibility in procurement
  6. Plan for the future

Read "Working Together to Comply With Accessibility Standards" for full list details.