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 services and programs of state and local governments must be accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities. 

This regulation applies to any digital content, including web content, uploaded PDFs and other documents, images, audio, and mobile applications.

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

  2. All Web Content and Mobile Applications Must Be Accessible

    • The rule applies to the accessibility of any digital content such as text, audio and video content, and uploads, including PDFs, and mobile applications, with limited exceptions. Agencies with websites on GovHub meet WCAG technical standards, a part of the compliance requirements. 

  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 the ADA Fact Sheet for more information.

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 and get help and recommendations.

Set up your next immediate steps:

  • Learn the basics of web accessibility. (Watch a video introduction)
  • Inventory your digital content.
  • Identify any non-compliant content.
  • Prioritize the work to be done.
  • Decide if your agency can make the changes needed for compliance, or if you will need external help for remediation.
  • Review the rule's requirements and exceptions with your general counsel.
  • Plan for the deadline.

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