ADA Title II Updates Explained: Partnering with TTA for Compliance Success

The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced important updates to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which will affect how state and local governments handle their digital content. From websites and mobile apps to social media posts and videos, these changes will require all digital content to be accessible to individuals with disabilities.

The new compliance deadlines are staggered based on population size:

• Entities serving populations of 50,000 or more must comply by April 24, 2026.
• Entities serving populations under 50,000 have until April 24, 2027.

These updates represent a major step forward in fostering digital inclusivity for millions of Americans. But what do these changes mean for state and local governments? Let’s break it down.

Understanding the New ADA Requirements

The DOJ’s updates to ADA Title II emphasize digital accessibility across the following areas:

• Vision Impairments: Content must be compatible with screen readers, and visual elements should meet standards for contrast and text resizing.
• Hearing Impairments: Multimedia must include captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions.
• Cognitive Disabilities: Websites and applications should feature clear layouts, simple navigation, and avoid overly complex content structures.
• Manual Dexterity Challenges: Interfaces need to be operable through alternative input devices and keyboard navigation.

This legal update aligns with the principles of universal design, ensuring that digital spaces are accessible to all users, regardless of ability.

Who Is Affected by These Changes?

The changes primarily impact state and local governments, requiring compliance for:

• Government agency websites
• Public transportation apps
• Education portals for schools, colleges, and libraries
• Emergency communication systems
• Social media and public outreach campaigns
• Online forms, applications, and payment systems

In other words, if it’s a digital touchpoint that serves the public, it needs to be accessible.

What State and Local Governments Need to Change

To meet these new requirements, governments must take a strategic and proactive approach to accessibility. Key areas of focus include:

• Digital Content Audits – Governments need to assess their existing digital content to identify accessibility gaps. This includes everything from outdated PDFs to mobile app interfaces.
• Accessible Website Design – Websites must meet standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, focusing on features like contrast ratios, alternative text for images, and screen-reader compatibility.
• Inclusive Multimedia Content – Videos and podcasts need captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions to ensure that hearing- and visually impaired individuals can fully engage.
• Staff Training on Accessibility Best Practices – Employees responsible for creating or managing content must understand how to design for accessibility to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Future-Proofing Digital Assets – Accessibility isn’t a one-time fix. Governments must establish systems and workflows to maintain compliance as new content and technologies are introduced.

How TTA Can Help

Navigating these updates may seem overwhelming, but with the right partner, achieving compliance is both manageable and transformative. TTA specializes in supporting state and local governments in their journey toward ADA compliance.

Here’s how we help:

• Comprehensive Accessibility Audits and Content Enhancement: Our instructional designers will review your existing content, identify accessibility gaps, and implement the necessary updates to meet ADA standards seamlessly. We make your materials fully accessible without compromising the quality or usability of your content.
• Captivating, ADA-Compliant Video and Multimedia: Our instructional designers provide captioning, transcripts, and audio descriptions to make your multimedia fully accessible, enabling seamless engagement for users with hearing and visual impairments.
• Website and App Design Optimization: TTA’s instructional designers collaborate seamlessly with your web development team to enhance your digital platforms. By focusing on readability and ease of use, they refine color contrast, implement text resizing options, and adjust layouts to create intuitive and accessible experiences for users of all abilities.
• Customized Training Modules for Lasting ADA Compliance: Equip your teams with knowledge and best practices through engaging, interactive training modules that embed ADA compliance into your organization’s day-to-day operations.

Our instructional designers bring expertise in accessibility and in creating content that is engaging and intuitive, ensuring users of all abilities have a seamless experience. With thousands of designers available on demand, we provide flexible, customized support that aligns with your goals, budgets, timelines, and ADA requirements.

Partner with TTA for ADA Compliance

The DOJ’s updates to ADA Title II present both challenges and opportunities for state and local governments. While the path to compliance may require significant changes, it also provides a chance to set a new standard for inclusivity and accessibility.

TTA is here to support you every step of the way. From conducting accessibility audits to designing training modules, we help ensure your digital content meets and exceeds accessibility standards.

Let’s work together to build a more inclusive digital presence. Contact us today to learn more about our ADA compliance solutions.