Digital Accessibility Work Continues as Counties Prepare for New Federal Requirements

The deadline may have shifted, but the work of making government services digitally accessible continues.

A recent Government Technology article highlights how state and local governments across the country are working to meet updated federal digital accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While the U.S. Department of Justice extended the compliance deadlines to 2027 and 2028, experts say the additional time should be viewed as an opportunity to build long-term accessibility practices rather than delay implementation. See previous Conduit Street Coverage and our Policy Deep Dive.

The updated requirements apply to websites, mobile applications, online forms, PDFs, videos, and other digital services used by state and local governments. They are intended to ensure residents with disabilities can access public information and services online.

Experts interviewed for the article emphasized that accessibility is no longer just an information technology issue. Communications teams, legal departments, procurement officials, and agency leadership all play a role in ensuring digital content remains accessible over time.

John Matelski, Chief Information Officer for the National Association of Counties, noted that many counties are making steady progress despite balancing aging technology, staffing shortages, and limited resources. He emphasized that successful organizations are developing long-term accessibility strategies rather than treating compliance as a one-time project.

The article also identifies several practical priorities for local governments, including focusing first on services such as emergency information, public meetings, online payments, elections, and benefits applications. Experts also encourage agencies to review vendor accessibility, reduce reliance on inaccessible PDF documents where possible, and build accessibility expectations into procurement and content creation workflows.

As counties continue expanding digital services, accessibility is becoming an increasingly important part of delivering equitable government services. More than one in four U.S. adults live with a disability, making accessible websites, documents, and online tools essential to ensuring residents can fully participate in local government.

At #MACoCon: You’re Digitally ADA Compliant. Now What?

Digital accessibility doesn’t end once compliance efforts begin. The 2026 MACo Summer Conference will feature a practical discussion on what comes next as counties continue improving websites, documents, online services, and digital communications.

“You’re Digitally ADA Compliant. Now What?” will bring together communications and technology professionals to discuss common challenges counties are facing, strategies for prioritizing improvements, and practical steps to reduce risk while building accessibility into everyday operations. Attendees will gain insights from legal, communications, and information technology perspectives on sustaining accessibility over the long term. This session will take place on Friday, August 14, from 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM.

MACo’s Summer Conference, “Build What’s Next,” takes place August 12-15, 2026, at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland. For more information, visit the conference website.

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: