--- title: "The New DOJ Rule: What State and Local Governments Must Know" description: Read about the 2024 rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments. image: https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Pillar%20Page%20-%20Web%20and%20App%20Accessibility%20/person-using-laptop-on-blog-website.jpeg --- - [skip to menu](https://blog.usablenet.com/the-new-doj-rule-what-state-and-local-governments-must-know#nav) - [skip to content](https://blog.usablenet.com/the-new-doj-rule-what-state-and-local-governments-must-know#main-content) - [skip to footer](https://blog.usablenet.com/the-new-doj-rule-what-state-and-local-governments-must-know#footer) Test the accessibility of your website for free! Try UsableNet AQA. 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[Take our Quiz](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz) - Resources ## Resources [E-books & Guides](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=E-books%20and%20Guides) [Case Studies](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Case%20Studies) [Reports](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Reports) [Webinars](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Webinars) [Tools](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Tools) [All Resources](https://usablenet.com/resources) ## Essential Resources [ADA accessibility lawsuit tracker](https://info.usablenet.com/ada-website-compliance-lawsuit-tracker?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [Checklist: how to achieve and maintain digital accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/digital-website-accessibility-checklist?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [Which remediation approach is right for me?](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [A Primer on ADA and Digital Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/a-primer-on-ada-and-digital-accessibility?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) The EAA is in Effect — Is Your Website Compliant? [Get Help with EN 301 549 Compliance](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) - Who We Serve ## Industry [E-commerce and Consumer Goods](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-e-commerce-consumer-goods) [Food Service and Hospitality](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-food-service-hospitality) [Banking and Financial Services](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-financial-services) [Healthcare](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-healthcare) [Technology and Business Services](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-technology-and-business-services) [Public Sector and Education](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-public-sector-and-education) ## Compliance [Canadian Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-canada) [European Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-europe) [Other International Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-international) [United States Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-united-states) 2026 Midyear report on digital accessibility lawsuits in the US [Download Now](https://info.usablenet.com/2026-midyear-report) - [Pricing](https://usablenet.com/pricing) - [Blog](https://blog.usablenet.com/) - [About Us](https://usablenet.com/about-us) [Get a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/contact) # The New DOJ Rule: What State and Local Governments Must Know **By** [UsableNet](https://blog.usablenet.com/author/usablenet-1) on May 7, 2024 **Topics:** [Web Accessibility](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/web-accessibility), [Title II](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/title-ii) 0 Comments - - - ![person on a laptop ](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Pillar%20Page%20-%20Web%20and%20App%20Accessibility%20/person-using-laptop-on-blog-website.jpeg) 📌 Update — April 20, 2026 The U.S. Department of Justice has extended ADA Title II web accessibility compliance deadlines by one year. Large public entities (population 50,000+) now have until **April 26, 2027**. Smaller entities and special district governments now have until **April 26, 2028**. The WCAG 2.1 Level AA standard and scope of covered content are unchanged. [Read the full update →](https://blog.usablenet.com/ada-title-ii-compliance-2026-public-agencies) On April 24, 2024, the Federal Register published the Department of Justice's (DOJ) final rule updating its regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Let's dive into what this means and how you can prepare. ### **Understanding the New DOJ Rule** In the past, the DOJ has been reluctant to adopt any particular technical standard for digital accessibility. The DOJ would issue statements that said businesses have flexibility in approaching accessibility online. The new rule goes against that. In the April 2024 rule on the accessibility of web content and mobile apps provided by state and local governments, the DOJ adopted WCAG 2.1 AA as the standard the government must meet for digital accessibility. [Learn to achieve ADA Title II compliance in 10 critical steps - Read now.](https://blog.usablenet.com/achieving-ada-title-ii-compliance-a-10-step-guide-for-cios) ### **Why It Matters:** - Urgency: State and local governments and their third-party IT vendors now have clear guidelines and deadlines to meet. - Broader Impact: This rule might signal future changes for organizations under ADA Title III. ### **What the New Rule Means** State and local governments must comply with WCAG 2.1 AA for digital properties. This rule impacts organizations like public schools, police departments, courts, election offices, and hospitals. Additionally, vendors who provide web content, websites, or apps to governments are subject to the new Title II rules.  ### **Compliance Deadlines:** - Governments with over 50,000 people: April 27, 2026 - Special district governments: April 24, 2026 - Governments with 50,000 people or less: April 26, 2027 Need help navigating these deadlines? Visit our [ADA Title II Web and Mobile App Compliance Guide](https://info.usablenet.com/ada-title-ii-web-and-mobile-app-compliance-a-guide-for-state-and-local-governments) for expert insights. ### **Why Private Companies Should Care** Even though the new rule targets government entities, private companies should take note. WCAG 2.1 AA is frequently used in lawsuits under ADA Title III, so aligning with these standards can help mitigate legal risks. ### **Essential WCAG 2.1 AA Criteria to Know** The full WCAG 2.1 AA conformance requirements are on the Web Accessibility Initiative website (W3C). We've highlighted examples of WCAG 2.1 criteria. - Reflow (1.4.10): Ensures content can be zoomed to 400% without breaking. - Text Adaptability (1.4.12): Ensures text can be resized and adapted. - Touch Readiness (2.5.3): Makes controls usable on touch devices. - Common Purpose Identification (1.3.5): Helps users by identifying and describing standard controls. - Motion Actuation (2.5.4): Ensures features activated by device motion are accessible. For a comprehensive look at accessibility requirements across the U.S., explore our [United States Accessibility Compliance Guide](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-united-states). ### Strategies for Meeting the New Rule  - Choose an experienced accessibility vendor to guide you- [Choosing the Right Partner for ADA Title II Compliance](https://blog.usablenet.com/choosing-the-right-partner-for-ada-title-ii-compliance?__hstc=45788219.ea9857784889da86cac9fbd3286c42ac.1724777980416.1724777980416.1724777980416.1&__hssc=45788219.1.1724777980416&__hsfp=141023726) - **Consider a managed service like UsableNet Assistive:** Our team handles the remediation to ensure your site or app meets WCAG standards. [Watch a video on our fully managed service, Assistive, to learn more.](https://info.usablenet.com/products-usablenet-assistive-0) ### Exceptions to the Rule  Some exceptions to the rule apply. The ADA fact sheet explains where these exceptions apply and why. We encourage you to access the fact sheet to better understand the new ADA Title II rule and its impact on digital accessibility.  For more details, read our [ADA Title II Compliance: Frequently Asked Questions](https://blog.usablenet.com/ada-title-ii-compliance-frequently-asked-questions). ### Looking toward the Future The new rule brings ADA Title II into the present by ensuring that public governments do not discriminate against people with disabilities. 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We provide accessibility solutions to Fortune 1000 companies, small and medium enterprises, government, and education organizations across industries including retail, travel, hospitality, food services, automotive, financial services, and healthcare. - - - - ### Related posts ![Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-check-in-and-in-stay-barriers-for-blind-guests) Jul 15, 2026 ![Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-browsing-room-options) Jul 14, 2026 ![Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Registration%20-%20Midyear%20Report.png) [Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/inside-the-2026-midyear-numbers-where-digital-accessibility-litigation-is-going) Jul 8, 2026 ![The Low-Cost Moves That Strengthen an ADA Website Defense](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/The%20Low-Cost%20Moves%20That%20Strengthen%20an%20ADA%20Website%20Defense.png) [The Low-Cost Moves That Strengthen an ADA Website Defense](https://blog.usablenet.com/the-low-cost-moves-that-strengthen-an-ada-website-defense) Jun 16, 2026 ### Sign Up for the UsableNet Blog ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-check-in-and-in-stay-barriers-for-blind-guests) Jul 15, 2026 ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-browsing-room-options) Jul 14, 2026 ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Registration%20-%20Midyear%20Report.png) [Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/inside-the-2026-midyear-numbers-where-digital-accessibility-litigation-is-going) Jul 8, 2026 ### Posts by Topic - [Web Accessibility (311)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/web-accessibility) - [User Experience (113)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/user-experience) - [ADA Lawsuits (45)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ada-lawsuits) - [ADA Website Compliance (38)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ada-website-compliance) - [European Accessibility Act (34)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/european-accessibility-act) - [Mobile Web (30)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/mobile-web) - [Mobile Apps (27)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/mobile-apps) - [Retail (27)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/retail) ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Consultation%20Icon.svg) Need to improve digital usability, accessibility or performance? 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