Digital Accessibility Compliance
The U.S. Department of Justice is requiring all state and local government websites and mobile applications to meet specific digital accessibility standards per Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
For the first time, federal accessibility standards for digital content have been formally codified for public entities. The Office of Civil Rights (OCR), under the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a final rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
It requires all state and local government websites and mobile applications to meet specific digital accessibility standards.
The Los Rios Community College District (LRCCD) web team has been working with the OCR to correct any existing accessibility issues on our website and other digital properties.
We are also working toward systems that help avoid introducing new accessibility issues in the future.
Digital Accessibility Compliance
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility Guidelines
- Employees: Digital Accessibility
- Employees: Accessibility and PDF Files
- HHS’ Office for Civil Rights Extends Web and Mobile Accessibility Compliance Deadline
- Extension of Compliance Dates for Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability
What’s Required?
All digital content must comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA.
This is the internationally-recognized standard for accessibility. It includes Success Criteria from both Level A and Level AA.
Key Requirements
- Provide text alternatives for images and non-text content
- Ensure keyboard navigability for users who can’t use a mouse
- Maintain sufficient color contrast for readability
- Make content understandable and predictable
- Ensure mobile responsiveness and touch target accessibility
LRCCD Digital Properties That Must Comply
- websites
- mobile apps
- documents (like PDFs)
- forms
- videos
- curriculum
- online services
Key Deadline
For public entities with 15 or more employees:
- Saturday, April 24, 2027
This timeline gives us a window to review, remediate, and update our digital content and systems for compliance.
Why Compliance Matters
It Serves Our Students, Employees, and Community
Roughly 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. has a disability. Many rely on the following to interact with digital services:
screen readers
captioning
keyboard navigation
other tools
By meeting accessibility standards:
We remove barriers to public information and services.
We build inclusive digital environments that serve everyone.
We improve usability for all users, not just those with disabilities.
It’s the Law
This rule is a legally binding requirement under the ADA.
Non-compliance may result in:
- Federal investigations by the DOJ
- Legal complaints from users or advocacy organizations
- Costly litigation, settlements, or consent decrees
Being proactive now will help us avoid scrambling to fix issues under pressure later.
It Protects Us
By aligning with WCAG 2.1 AA:
- We reduce legal liability
- Show commitment to equity and compliance
- Future-proof our digital infrastructure for broader inclusion
What’s Next?
LRCCD has been working through a structured accessibility review process for over a year, including:
Guidelines
LRCDD developed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility Guidelines in 2019.
Audits
We are auditing websites and applications for compliance gaps.
Remediation
We will be remediating digital content in order of priority.
Training & Support
We are providing training and support to content creators, developers, and communications teams.
Related Links
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1
Following these guidelines will make content more accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities, including accommodations for blindness and low vision, deafness and hearing loss, limited movement, speech disabilities, photosensitivity, and combinations of these, and some accommodation for learning disabilities and cognitive limitations.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility Guidelines
The District/Colleges adhere to the following standards and guidelines related to accessibility of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility Guidelines
Employees: Digital Accessibility
You can improve the accessibility of your digital materials to all users with these practices.
Employees: Accessibility and PDF Files
Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) file format typically poses problems for accessibility or viewing on a mobile device.
HHS’ Office for Civil Rights Extends Web and Mobile Accessibility Compliance Deadline
May 7, 2026 — Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced an Interim Final Rule (IFR) extending, for one-year, the compliance dates that recipients of HHS funding must meet for conforming web content and mobile applications to specific accessibility standards under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).
HHS’ Office for Civil Rights Extends Web and Mobile Accessibility Compliance Deadline
Extension of Compliance Dates for Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability
May 7, 2026 — By this interim final rule (“IFR”), the Department of Health and Human Services (“Department”) is revising the Department's regulations implementing section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (“section 504”) to extend the compliance dates for the requirements for web content and mobile application (“app”) accessibility that were adopted on May 9, 2024.
Extension of Compliance Dates for Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability