Ancel Glink’s Quorum Forum Podcast just released Episode 102: Web Accessibility.
In this episode, Jamie Wilkey, a Partner at
Lauterbach & Amen, joins Ancel Glink’s Katie Nagy to
discuss the Department of Justice’s final rule on web accessibility under Title
II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They explore the new
requirements for state and local governments to ensure their web content and
mobile applications are accessible to individuals with disabilities, and offer
practical advice on implementation, technical standards, and compliance
deadlines (starting on April 24, 2026 for some larger governments).
Highlights:
- The
Technical Standard: An overview of WCAG 2.1 Level AA, the
benchmark for digital accessibility compliance.
- Defining
Web Content: Understanding how the rule applies to websites,
mobile apps, social media, online payment portals, and digital documents
like meeting minutes and agendas.
- Compliance
Deadlines: Key dates for local governments (April 24, 2026
for populations over 50,000; April 26, 2027 for smaller entities and
special districts).
- Practical
Implementation: Steps for success, including identifying an
internal team, conducting an inventory of digital assets, and prioritizing
remediation.
- Exceptions
and Limitations: A breakdown of what content is exempt, such as
archived web content, pre-existing conventional documents, and certain
third-party content.
- Risk
Management: Analyzing the legal, financial, and reputational
risks of non-compliance.
- Public
Comment: A discussion on the Seventh Circuit’s decision
in O’Donnell v. City of Chicago regarding vehicle
forfeiture programs and unconstitutional takings.
Resources:
- Fact
Sheet: New Rule on the
Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local
Governments
- DOJ
Guidance: First
Steps Toward Complying with the ADA Title II Web and Mobile Application
Accessibility Rule
- Municipal
Minute: City’s
Vehicle Forfeiture Program Not an Unconstitutional Taking