Under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), local & state governments (and federal contractor) must make their employee-only intranets, portals, and web-based applications accessible to employees and consumers with disabilities.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) final rule requires compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, starting April 24, 2026, for entities with public populations of 50,000+ and April 26, 2027, for smaller entities.
Key Requirements & Compliance Details
- Scope: This mandate includes internal, employee-only websites, staff portals, and HR apps, not just public-facing websites.
- Standards: Intranets must meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.
- Deadlines:
- Populations 50,000: April 24, 2026.
- Populations < 50,000 & Special Districts: April 26, 2027.
- Consequences: Failure to comply can lead to lawsuits and fines, with initial violations costing up to $75,000, and up to $150,000 for subsequent violations.
- Alternatives: If not fully accessible by the deadline, agencies must still provide reasonable modifications to ensure equal access to employment opportunities and benefits.
