DOJ to Revisit Web Accessibility Rule, Aiming to Reduce Implementation Costs for Counties

Key Takeaways

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced plans in the federal register to issue a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to explore ways to lower the cost of compliance with its 2024 Final Rule on web-based accessibility requirements for state and local governments. The proposed NPRM follows the DOJ’s final rule issued earlier this year, which established new accessibility standards for public-sector websites and digital services. 

While DOJ has not yet released a formal timeline for the NPRM, the announcement comes as compliance deadlines near: counties serving populations of 50,000 or more must meet the new accessibility standards by April 24, 2026, while smaller counties have until April 24, 2027. 

Counties remain committed to making local digital services accessible for all residents. NACo has provided members with technical guidance, regulatory analysis, and blog resources to support compliance efforts. However, implementation costs are estimated to exceed $1 billion nationwide, creating significant challenges for many counties as compliance deadlines approach. 

Understanding the 2024 DOJ Final Rule on Web Accessibility 

In April 2024, the DOJ released a final rule implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for web-based government services provided by state and local governments. The rule establishes standards for web content accessibility based on the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standard, issued in June 2018. 

These standards require that county websites, applications, and online tools be accessible to individuals with disabilities, ensuring equitable access to public information and services. 

The rule applies to a wide range of online government services, including public notices, forms, digital applications, and video content. 

NACo’s Ongoing Support and Advocacy

Counties strongly supports efforts to reduce regulatory costs for counties implementing web-based accessibility standards. Counties continue to work closely with federal partners and advocate for practical solutions that maintain accessibility while addressing local government resource constraints.  

NACo will continue to monitor the DOJ’s forthcoming NPRM and provide updates, analysis, and guidance to counties as new information becomes available.