How Adobe supports compliance with ADA web accessibility standards

With government services increasingly accessed through digital channels, accessibility for individuals with disabilities is essential. Recent mandates emphasize that inclusivity must be a priority in digital strategies.

In April 2024, the Department of Justice issued “Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities,” the final rule on the implementation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It mandates that public entities must conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA by 2026 or 2027, depending on the size of the constituent base.

This update highlights the necessity for government organizations to address various deficiencies, such as lack of alternative text for images, inadequate color contrast, and inaccessible online forms.

Key requirements of the new rule include:

• WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance: This new accessibility standard for web and mobile apps requires that content is operable, understandable, and robust for individuals using assistive technologies.
• Compliance timeline: Agencies with populations over 50,000 must comply by April 24, 2026, while smaller entities and special districts have until April 24, 2027.
• Technical accessibility standards: Public entities must ensure that all forms of digital communication — including web content, mobile applications, and digital documents — meet accessibility standards.

Benefits of increased accessibility

Implementing these standards challenges government agencies to address diverse disabilities, including visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor impairments.

For instance, individuals who are blind may rely on screen readers to access websites, while those with motor impairments may need voice commands or keyboard navigation instead of mouse-based interactions. Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals benefit from captions in videos, while those with cognitive disabilities need simple and clear interfaces.

Government digital channels often provide critical resources, such as the ability to pay taxes, apply for benefits, register to vote, or access vital health information. Inaccessible digital services can create barriers that prevent citizens with disabilities from fully participating in these essential aspects of civic life.

However, improving accessibility offers broader benefits for government agencies as well.

• Increased engagement: Accessible services encourage greater engagement not only from individuals with disabilities who might otherwise be excluded, but also from all segments of the population.
• Better compliance: Assuring accessibility helps agencies meet legal requirements, reducing the risk of lawsuits and penalties related to non-compliance with the ADA.
• Improved trust: By demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity, government agencies can build trust with their constituents so agencies are seen as responsive, equitable, and fair.

Accessibility benefits everyone, much like how physical improvements like ramps not only serve people with disabilities, but also parents with strollers and travelers with luggage. For example:

• Captions on videos help those with hearing impairments as well as individuals in noisy environments.
• Clear navigation and logical design reduce frustration and improve the user experience for everyone.
• Mobile-friendly designs that support touch and voice commands benefit all mobile users.

By designing digital services with accessibility in mind, government agencies keep them available to a broader audience and demonstrate a commitment to serving all citizens.

The Adobe advantage

Technology plays a crucial role in building inclusive digital experiences. Next-generation content management systems, such as Adobe Experience Manager, offer built-in tools for accessibility compliance, so agencies can easily meet necessary standards. These platforms make it easier for government agencies to create and maintain websites that meet WCAG 2.1 standards, automate the testing of digital content for accessibility issues, and make sure mobile applications are accessible from the ground up.

Adobe Experience Cloud offers a suite of tools designed to help government agencies achieve digital accessibility compliance while enhancing their overall digital engagement strategy.

Accessibility by design: Experience Manager allows agencies to build websites and applications that are accessible from the ground up. It provides a drag-and-drop interface that simplifies the creation of accessible content that adheres to WCAG 2.1 guidelines. With Experience Manager, agencies can manage large volumes of content while maintaining consistent accessibility across all pages.

Automated testing and monitoring: Experience Manager supports the integration of tools to automate the testing of digital assets for accessibility compliance. This reduces manual testing efforts and makes sure companies maintain compliance continuously as new content is published.

Personalized user experiences: Adobe’s provides the ability to personalize content for individual users means government websites can be accessible and user-centric. Creating accessible and tailored user journeys, using Experience Cloud, provides a better user experience for all users, including those with disabilities.

Mobile accessibility: As mobile websites are a critical component of government services, Adobe’s platform supports organizations in their site deployment by offering tools that enable WCAG-compliance. This includes functionality for touch interfaces, screen readers, and text resizing, making mobile experiences seamless for users with disabilities.

Content management and updates: Experience Manager allows for easy content updates, which promote ongoing compliance with accessibility standards. The platform’s modular design allows agencies to update sections of their websites without disrupting the entire system, keeping maintenance costs low and reducing the risk of non-compliance.

With the deadline for compliance with these new ADA requirements fast approaching, government agencies need a robust, scalable, and easy-to-use solution. Adobe Experience Cloud provides the tools necessary to build accessible, personalized, and engaging digital experiences for all citizens, supporting agencies to meet compliance standards within WCAG 2.1 Level AA while enhancing the overall user experience. Government entities can address the challenges of ADA compliance efficiently, and all citizens can have equal access to digital government services.

Looking ahead — a digital future that includes everyone

Guaranteeing that government services are accessible to all constituents is both a challenge and an opportunity. Public sector organizations must take proactive steps to meet the evolving needs of their citizens, particularly those with disabilities. Investing in accessible technology makes government services available to all, aligning with the ADA’s vision of equal opportunity and independent living for everyone.

In the words of the ADA itself, this is about ensuring “equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency” for individuals with disabilities. It’s time to make digital services a part of that vision.

Brian Chidester is the head of industry strategy for public sector at Adobe and the host of “The Government Huddle with Brian Chidester” podcast from GovExec. Formerly, Chidester served as the industry vice president for global public sector at Genesys. He also has held global public sector leadership roles with OpenText, Arrow ECS, and S&P Global. Chidester holds a B.S. in Communications Studies from Liberty University. He is a board member for the University of South Florida — Muma College of Business, an advisor to the G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance at the World Economic Forum, and a member of the Forbes Technology Council.