If you’ve been tracking the federal updates on digital accessibility, here’s a significant update: the U.S. Department of Justice has extended the compliance deadlines for its landmark web accessibility rule. Learn more about the ruling and how you can begin preparing for the compliance deadline. 

What’s the Rule?

In April 2024, the DOJ finalized a rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requiring all state and local government entities to make their websites and mobile applications accessible to people with disabilities. The technical standard is WCAG 2.1 Level AA — a globally recognized set of 50 criteria covering everything from screen reader compatibility to video captions to accessible forms.

This isn’t a voluntary guideline. Compliance is legally required.

The Deadline Has Been Extended

Just last Friday, the DOJ issued an Interim Final Rule pushing back the compliance dates by one year:

• State and local governments serving 50,000+ residents: now must be compliant by April 26, 2027.
• Governments serving fewer than 50,000 residents and special district governments: now must be compliant by April 26, 2028.

The extension was granted in recognition of capacity challenges many organizations face — but make no mistake, this is more runway, not a rollback. The requirement stands, and the easiest way to ensure you’re ready for this requirement is to begin adjusting your internal workflows now to produce more accessible digital content. 

Note: The IFR is currently in effect, though it remains open for public comment through June 22, 2026.

What Must Be Accessible?

The rule applies broadly to public-facing digital content, including:

• Government websites and web pages
• Mobile applications
• Online forms and digital services
• PDFs and electronic documents
• Videos (captions required for both live and pre-recorded content)
• Social media content posted at the agency’s direction
  

Limited Exceptions

There are a handful of narrow exceptions: archived content that is no longer actively used, pre-existing documents kept for reference only, content posted organically by third parties (such as public comments), and password-protected individualized documents. However, these exceptions are limited — when in doubt, make it accessible. 

What Should You Do Now?

The extended deadline is an opportunity, not an excuse to pause. Government communicators play a central role in accessibility compliance — we’re the ones writing web copy, posting PDFs, producing videos, and managing social channels. Here’s where to start:

1. Audit your digital content. Inventory your websites, documents, and media for accessibility gaps. Check for things like:
   • Captions (closed or open) in any video on any website, mobile application, or social media application;
   • Alternative text for all images and documents in your materials and ensure the alt text is selectable by cursor (screen readable);
   • Standard language in all flyers, event registration sites, etc. on how to request reasonable accommodations and list the designated POC; and
   • Check your materials using the built-in accessibility tools and functions within Word and Adobe products
2. Establish accessible content workflows. Build accessibility checks into how you create and publish content going forward.
3. Work with your IT and vendor partners. Your agency remains responsible for accessibility even when vendors manage your platforms.
4. Get trained. Understanding WCAG 2.1 criteria helps you catch issues before they become compliance problems.

Resources from Our March Webinar

Earlier this year, NAGC hosted a webinar on digital accessibility to help our members get ahead of these requirements. You can access the recording and resources in the Member Resources Area of the NAGC website. Note: you must be signed in as a member to access this page and the recordings.

Next Steps

In addition, we encourage you to check out other government and official resources, including but not limited to:

• ADA.gov — Web Accessibility Rule First Steps: The DOJ’s guidance for state and local governments on how to begin compliance planning.
• ADA.gov — Full Rule & Fact Sheet: The complete rule, exceptions, and technical requirements in plain language.
• Federal Register — Interim Final Rule (Deadline Extension): The official notice extending the compliance deadlines, published April 20, 2026.
• W3C — WCAG 2.1 Guidelines: The technical standard itself, published by the World Wide Web Consortium.

Disclaimer: this is not legal advice. Government offices and agencies are encouraged to work with their legal teams in adhering to these federal requirements. 

Every day, millions of people interact with their government - not in hearing rooms or court chambers, but through website updates, emergency alerts, social media posts, and public notices. Behind each of those moments is a government communicator working to ensure information is clear, accurate, timely, and accessible. 

On Government Communicators Day, tomorrow, February 20, we recognize the professionals who serve as the vital bridge between public institutions and the people they serve. In an era marked by skepticism, misinformation, and declining confidence in institutions, their work has never been more important - or more challenging. 

Public trust does not happen by accident. It is built through transparency, plain-language communication, and a commitment to meeting people where they are. Government communicators translate complex policies into understandable terms, explain not just what decisions are made but why, and provide the public with the information they need to participate meaningfully in civic life. 

Trust is strengthened when communication is proactive rather than reactive. Whether preparing communities for severe weather, explaining changes to public services, or addressing concerns during crises, government communicators help reduce confusion and anxiety by delivering facts quickly and responsibly, creating clarity when it matters most.

Transparency is more than releasing information; it is about making information usable. Government communicators bring empathy and strategy to ensure messages are accessible to people of different backgrounds, languages, abilities, and levels of familiarity with government. That inclusion is essential to a healthy democracy. 

When communication breaks down, misinformation fills the void and trust erodes. Although often behind the scenes, government communicators shape how institutions are perceived and whether the public feels informed, respected, and heard. They balance speed with accuracy, transparency with sensitivity, and innovation with accountability, serving as stewards of both information and credibility. 

At a time when trust in institutions is fragile, investing in strong government communication is essential. That means supporting communicators with the resources, training, and leadership backing they need and recognizing them as strategic partners in governance, not just messengers at the end of the process. 

Government Communicators Day is an opportunity to recognize the professionals who work every day to keep the public informed and engaged - and a reminder that clear, honest communication is foundational to public trust. That trust, earned day by day and message by message, is one of the most valuable assets any public organization can have. 

Learn more about the Bonfire Collective on the NAGC website. 

About the authors: Leslie Gervasio is the Director of Communications for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and is President of the National Association of Government Communicators. Thomas Reeves is the Director of Public Affairs for the City of Baytown, Texas, and is the Treasurer of the National Association of Government Communicators and Co-Founder of the Bonfire Collective. 

Let’s be honest—leadership transitions in government can be jarring. One day you’re presenting to one mayor or director, and the next, you're rewriting messaging to align with someone entirely new. A new council, administrator, or department head can bring major shifts in priorities and communication styles. For communicators, that change doesn’t just affect policy—it affects trust, both inside and outside the organization. 

The key? You set the tone before the rumor mill does. When the winds shift, issue a short, clear public statement. Acknowledge the transition, reassure residents that core services remain uninterrupted, and offer a point of contact for questions. Keep it factual and neutral—your job isn’t to stir the pot or smooth it over politically. It’s to offer stability. 

Internally, staff will be watching your moves. Use internal newsletters or team huddles to reinforce calm and consistency. This isn’t the time to go dark—small touchpoints help ease anxiety and remind everyone that the mission continues. 

But don’t stop there. Leadership changes are an opportunity to show your strategic value. Introduce yourself to incoming leaders early. Don’t assume they understand your role. Come prepared with a one-pager that shows how your office shapes public perception, handles media, and supports their goals. Highlight key wins—campaigns that drove engagement, messaging that mitigated controversy, tools that helped residents stay informed. 

And while you’re at it—tighten your internal systems. Update approval flows, refresh your comms templates, and revisit your leadership onboarding materials. You want to be ready before a crisis hits. 

Bottom line: You’re the calm in the storm. You don’t need to control politics—but you do need to control the message. In seasons of change, communicators don’t fade into the background—we hold the line.