This year marks the first compliance deadline for new federal accessibility requirements covering local government web content and mobile apps, yet research shows many governments are still grappling with hurdles when it comes to putting those policies into practice.
By April 24, 2026, state and local governments across the nation with a population of 50,000 or more will need to ensure their websites and mobile apps meet specific accessibility requirements under a new Department of Justice web and mobile rule. This rule, under the same ADA Title II requirement, will also apply to smaller jurisdictions by April 26, 2027.
Limited Time, Staffing & Expertise Among Top Barriers
Despite the requirements, local governments face barriers to implementing web accessibility. According to a survey of 1,004 local elected, appointed and departmental leaders by CivicPlus® and CivicPulse, only 29% of officials from large communities and 28% from midsized communities reported having established accessibility policies. A surprising 38% of local officials reported being unaware of the Department of Justice mandate altogether.
The biggest barrier local leaders cite is staff time: 41% said that not having enough time to focus on accessibility compliance is a “significant” barrier. In addition to time constraints, local governments often face limited staff training and awareness (32%) about web accessibility in general.
To close the gap, governments need to take concrete steps. In addition to reaching out to your regional nonprofit ADA hub, nonprofit centers dedicated to helping organizations comply with the ADA will provide free information, training, and technical assistance on ADA requirements. It’s important to dedicate time, staff and resources so residents with disabilities can actually participate and use your digital services.
Assessments, Investment, and Input Key To Accessibility Success
First, make accessibility a policy priority for your administration. Appoint an advocate who can take ownership of the mission and get up to speed with what accessibility means, whether through online accessibility courses or engagement with a trusted partner.
Next, ensure you have a strong understanding of where your website stands in terms of accessibility standards and what steps you’ll need to take. You can use the WAVE web tool, a free, automated web accessibility checker, or partner with a trusted vendor to automatically identify and remediate accessibility issues on an ongoing basis. There are also tools that can help your team collaborate on accessibility and manage issues across sites, as well as document tools and services that can help make PDFs more usable for residents who rely on assistive technology.
Make sure to proactively solicit feedback from residents on their preferences and challenges when it comes to engaging with their government online. If possible, visit communities to understand how residents are using your website, mobile apps, and assistive technology. Make a plan to address any gaps. This type of real-life, in-person engagement provides crucial data points and lays out a great foundation for buy-in when it comes to accessibility investments.
And remember, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Some states, such as Colorado, have adopted their own web accessibility laws, and many state and local governments are already working to meet those expectations. Local leaders can look to these communities’ policies, standards and public examples for accessibility inspiration.
Colorado Offers Web Accessibility Model for Other States, Municipalities
Colorado’s state web accessibility law, the one of the first comprehensive laws of its kind in the U.S., came into effect in July 2025. To comply with the regulations, towns like Windsor, Colorado identified funding and implemented accessibility updates to their town websites to make them more user-friendly for all residents. Other municipalities in Colorado have even visited independent living facilities and invited residents to use their websites to share feedback on real-world barriers and improvements.
Remember, prioritizing accessibility isn’t just a great step for minimizing compliance risks: It is essential to helping all residents communicate and engage with their governments, regardless of ability.
Brenden Elwood is Vice President of Market Research at CivicPlus. He oversees the company’s resident and local government research and focuses on providing actionable insights and data to enhance resident and community engagement using accessible digital solutions. In addition, Brenden serves on the City Council of North Bend, Washington.
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