The U.S. Department of Justice released a final rule this month reaffirming the requirements of state and local governments (including schools and libraries) to provide accessible websites and mobile applications. The ruling establishes the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1, Level AA as the standard to determine digital accessibility.
State and local government agencies provide a wide array of services and resources through websites. Websites that aren’t accessible can create barriers that prevent people with disabilities or limited English skills from accessing or participating in community activities or programs.
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires state and local governments to provide services, programs, and activities equally accessible to people with disabilities – including websites and digital apps.
Offices of Civil Rights from various federal agencies have actively pursued civil rights complaints against government websites. This rule formally establishes WCAG as the compliance standard against which websites are evaluated.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of standards developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to ensure that websites, apps, and content are accessible to people with diverse abilities and disabilities. WCAG provides specific guidelines and success criteria for making web content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
Compliance Does Not Equal Usability
Compliance with WCAG standards doesn’t necessarily make a website truly accessible. The ADA also obligates governments to provide reasonable modifications for digital communications with and service to people with disabilities or language barriers.
Governments now have two to three years, depending on the size of the population they serve, to redevelop their websites to bring them into and maintain compliance with ADA requirements – or face costly civil rights investigations or costly lawsuits.
Recite Me’s Solutions to the Rescue
Recite Me is uniquely positioned to help government organizations meet these new accessibility requirements.
The Recite Me Accessibility Checker
Recite Me’s Accessibility Checker runs a scan of websites identifying non-compliant and inaccessible website features. The tool then provides the necessary feedback and recommendations to proactively address accessibility gaps and create a WCAG-compliant website.
The Recite Me Assistive Toolbar goes beyond compliance to allow website visitors to customize a website to meet their unique needs. From text-to-speech functionality and dyslexia-friendly fonts to on-demand translation services, the toolbar removes digital barriers and enhances the overall digital experience for people with disabilities like dyslexia, visual impairments, color blindness, literacy challenges, or English as a second language.
The Recite Me Assistive Toolbar
The Recite Me Assistive Toolbar goes beyond compliance to allow website visitors to customize a website to meet their unique needs. From text-to-speech functionality and dyslexia-friendly fonts to on-demand translation services, the toolbar removes digital barriers and enhances the overall digital experience for people with disabilities like dyslexia, visual impairments, color blindness, literacy challenges, or English as a second language.
Schedule a free demonstration, or try the toolbar today!
A wide range of public sector organizations across the United States – including the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the Denver Housing Authority, and Hildago County, TX – have turned to Recite Me for digital accessibility and inclusion solutions.
To learn how Recite Me can assist your agency meet ADA accessibility requirements, schedule a free demonstration or run a free scan of your website today!
