The DOJ Web Accessibility Compliance Deadline is Coming. Are You Ready?

October 2025 marks a critical milestone for public entities in the United States. In just six months, the Department of Justice’s new ADA Title II digital accessibility rule takes effect. By April 24, 2026, state and local governments that serve 50,000 or more people must ensure their websites, mobile apps, and digital documents conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards (DOJ 2024 Final Rule). Smaller municipalities and special district governments have until April 26, 2027 (Small Entity Compliance Guide).

This isn’t just another regulatory requirement. The DOJ emphasized that inaccessible digital services block people with disabilities from exercising their civil rights — from paying utility bills to accessing emergency alerts (DOJ Web Rule Fact Sheet).

Why Work with Web Accessibility Experts

The legal imperative is clear: under the ADA, discrimination through inaccessible technology is prohibited. The DOJ’s 2024 rule codifies this by tying compliance to web accessibility standards and guidelines. But meeting these expectations requires more than good intentions — it requires the expertise of web accessibility experts who can translate complex requirements into practical steps.

The benefits also go far beyond avoiding lawsuits. Accessible websites improve search engine performance because they rely on clean structure and descriptive elements (W3C Web Accessibility Initiative). They also enhance usability for all users, from people on mobile devices to those in low-bandwidth areas. And they strengthen public trust by showing inclusion is a core value (ADA.gov).

As a digital accessibility agency, Kinetic Marketing & Creative brings both the technical skills and the communication strategies needed to make accessibility work for your organization. Our team includes accessible web designers who build with inclusion in mind, while our certified specialists ensure every project aligns with web development accessibility standards.

We also offer a free accessibility audit — a valuable first step for organizations unsure of where they stand with compliance.

Who Must Comply

The rule applies to all public entities under Title II of the ADA (DOJ 2024 Final Rule), including:

• State agencies (e.g., departments of health, education, or transportation)
• Local governments — cities, counties, towns
• Public schools and higher education institutions
• Special districts such as transit authorities, housing authorities, and park districts
• Public libraries, courts, and emergency services

Importantly, the responsibility to comply remains with the public entity, even if digital content or services are created or maintained by outside vendors (Small Entity Compliance Guide). A city like Billings that contracts with outside agencies for web development or digital content still carries the ultimate responsibility for ensuring compliance.

Need to prepare for April 2026? Contact us to talk with our accessibility team about audits, remediation, and compliance planning.

What WCAG 2.1 Level AA Requires

The DOJ adopted WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the compliance benchmark. WCAG, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, is maintained by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). The standard ensures digital content is:

• Perceivable — with alt text for images and sufficient color contrast
• Operable — usable by keyboard and compatible with assistive technology
• Understandable — consistent, predictable, and clearly labeled
• Robust — designed to work across current and future technologies

These guidelines for accessible and usable websites apply not just to traditional websites but also to mobile apps and electronic documents like PDFs and Word files.

The Compliance Process

Meeting accessibility standards in web design isn’t a single checkbox. The DOJ advises public entities to approach compliance as an ongoing process:

• Audit Digital Assets — identify websites, apps, and documents. Automated scans can catch common issues, but human review is critical. That’s why working with an accessibility testing agency matters.
• Plan and Prioritize — focus on high-impact services first, such as payment portals, forms, and emergency information.
• Remediate and Implement — make updates to layout, navigation, contrast, and content using WCAG compliant web design practices.
• Test for Real-World Use — validate changes with screen readers and keyboard navigation. A trusted accessibility testing company ensures these tools reflect real user experience.
• Monitor and Maintain — build policies, train staff, and keep accessibility part of ongoing operations.

At Kinetic, we simplify this process for our clients. As one of the region’s leading accessibility audit companies, our certified professionals conduct audits and testing, provide clear action plans, and support remediation work. We also partner with accessiBe to combine AI-powered support with human expertise, helping organizations meet deadlines efficiently while ensuring accessibility is genuinely usable.

Building Inclusive Digital Services

The April 2026 deadline is more than a compliance milestone. It’s a chance to modernize digital services and build equitable systems that reflect the intent of the ADA. For residents, accessibility means independence — the ability to interact fully with government services online without barriers.

Kinetic Marketing & Creative helps organizations meet this moment with practical, sustainable solutions. From website design and development to SEO services, our team integrates accessibility into broader digital strategies so compliance doesn’t just meet legal requirements — it also improves visibility and user experience.

Accessibility is about more than passing audits. It’s about building digital systems that are inclusive, future-ready, and trusted by the communities they serve — and April 2026 is the deadline to make that vision a reality.

Ready to meet the 2026 DOJ accessibility deadline? Contact our team today to schedule a consultation or request a full accessibility audit.