New Report Highlights Accessibility Gaps in Local Government Websites

ADA Compliance Applies to All Public Entities

Local and state governmental bodies—including municipalities, counties, townships, school districts, libraries, housing authorities, and transit agencies—are all covered by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Whether they realize it or not, they are legally required to ensure their digital services are accessible.

The deadline to comply with the DOJ's updated ADA Title II web accessibility ruling is now only a year away. While enforcement will soon include federal oversight, lawsuits under Title II can already be filed by private parties, often using so-called “drive-by” lawyers. Therefore, in a year’s time, local governments could face legal action not just from private litigants, but the federal government, too.

Key Challenges and Findings

While nearly all local governments now maintain some form of online presence, the report reveals significant variation in functionality, accessibility standards, and readiness to meet new federal requirements under the ADA. Awareness of recent Department of Justice updates is notably low, and staffing, funding, and training gaps remain key barriers.

Despite these challenges, the findings also show encouraging trends: many local leaders recognize that digital accessibility is essential to good governance and trust. With new federal deadlines on the horizon, this report provides vital benchmarks for progress and a call to action.

Download the full CivicPulse report below to explore the findings in detail. https://help.aaatraq.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CivicPulse-2025-Web-Accessibility-in-Local-Gov-Report.pdf (opens in a new window)