Department of Justice has set a deadline for local governments with a population of 50,000 or more to meet specific web accessibility requirements under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), by April 24, 2026. Many local governments have already started prioritizing and implementing digital accessibility measures.
In fact, 84% of local government leaders say they recognize that web accessibility is crucial to building trust with residents: a key aspect of good governance, regardless of whether the state has a web accessibility law or not. However, research by CivicPlus® in partnership with CivicPulse found that only about 30% of local governments have established digital accessibility policies. For those that don’t, it will be crucial to look to those jurisdictions across the country that are already actively advancing accessibility.
Colorado: Municipalities Turn to Communities for Accessibility Feedback
Since July 1, 2025, local governments in Colorado have been required to comply with its state web accessibility law, HB21-1110, which predated the federal ADA mandate, making it one of the first comprehensive laws of its kind in the U.S. Some municipalities in Colorado have been seeking community feedback and leading in-person workshops with residents to understand accessibility needs. For example, staffers have visited independent living facilities and invited residents to use their websites and share in their own words how they were better able to get important information, fill out forms, or access services.
Outreach like this not only prioritizes community members but shines a light on the following key questions: Can residents still fill out forms even if they lack the dexterity to use a mouse? Are fonts and visuals legible even to individuals with dyslexia or color blindness? Are people with hearing loss able to view captions for all video content or digital town halls?
Texas: A County Addresses Accessibility Compliance Through Partnership
Public-private partnerships were also key to helping McLennan County in central Texas address website accessibility after the Department of Justice (DOJ) identified significant gaps. The county partnered with CivicPlus to streamline its website operations and with AudioEye to provide ongoing, hands-on accessibility support and reporting. The result is a premier user experience in municipal web accessibility.
Cities and Counties Across the Country Building Trust Through Accessibility
Local leaders across the country are recognizing that ADA accessibility isn’t just about legal compliance but about building trust and satisfaction with their residents. Through solutions such as automated alt text, improving site navigation, and automatically scanning and correcting issues, leaders are making sites more accessible while saving staff time.
When local governments proactively adopt ADA-aligned websites and apps, they demonstrate a true commitment to serving all residents. Accessibility efforts, backed by strong technology partnerships, can enhance civic trust and engagement nationwide.
Leading in the Digital Age Means Boldly Advancing Accessibility
Across these examples, we found that the key to staying ahead of evolving state and federal accessibility mandates is a shared vision to make local government resources and information accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. Web accessibility leads to higher-quality, more satisfying interactions with local government for all residents. As we’ve seen from the above examples, making ADA accessibility a priority regardless of state or federal mandates is the indicator of true leadership in the digital age.
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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