The DOJ Title II deadline for small governments, explained

In 2024, the Department of Justice finalized a rule under Title II of the ADA requiring state and local government websites and mobile apps to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA — a specific, testable web accessibility standard, not a vague good-faith requirement.

The actual dates

In April 2026, DOJ extended the original compliance dates by a year. These dates were checked against the DOJ fact sheet on September 17, 2026:

• Public entities with populations of 50,000 or more, other than special district governments, must comply by April 26, 2027.
• Smaller entities and special districts — the water, fire, library, and transit districts most likely to be reading this — have until April 26, 2028.

The technical standard remains WCAG 2.1 AA. The rule includes limited exceptions for some content; the DOJ fact sheet explains their conditions.

Why the deadline isn't the whole story

The new compliance dates do not suspend existing ADA duties. DOJ explains that effective communication, reasonable modifications and equal access to public services remain required, including when an exception to the technical standard applies. Start with barriers that prevent people from using your services today.

What actually counts as compliant

Installing a widget is not evidence that a site meets WCAG. In 2025, the FTC approved a final consent order requiring accessiBe to pay $1 million and restricting unsupported claims that its automated product could make any website WCAG-compliant. Check the actual pages, documents and interactions, using automated checks alongside manual review.

Where to start

The honest first step is knowing where you actually stand. A scan won't tell you everything, but it will tell you enough to prioritize — and it takes a few minutes, not a procurement cycle.