As the importance of the internet grows, efforts have also increased around digital accessibility, ensuring users can access, use, and understand digital spaces like websites and apps regardless of any disability they might have. Common disabilities that can impact digital accessibility for users include deafness, blindness, motor disabilities, and cognitive disabilities (such as ADHD, dyslexia, visual processing disorders, or epilepsy). Perhaps less often considered, however, are temporary or onset conditions, such as a broken wrist, dilated eyes, or auditory processing difficulties and eye diseases that can come from advanced age.
Many government organizations still struggle keeping pace with providing digital experiences that fully account for accessibility, even as technology expands to allow improved and intuitive access for these audiences. With some states creating stricter policies in hopes of closing that accessibility gap for impacted audiences, the pressure is on to make sure both government content providers and the software they use offer the most up-to-date accessibility features.
The basics of digital accessibility
First created in 1995 after the Second International Conference on the World Wide Web, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) have been an evolving global standard set by members of the internet community, including developers, testers, and users all over the world.
Over time, the WCAG guidelines have developed along with technology to make sure all websites are perceivable, operable, and understandable by all users. The guidelines offer common considerations that benefit users with disabilities, including webpages that are compatible with screen readers for those with vision impairments or blindness, and rules that cover assistance for those with such disabilities as dyslexia or color-blindness. But the guidelines also consider non-permanent or age-related disabilities such as a broken arm or vision issues that impact users later in life.
To make sure governments implement WCAG guidelines, the U.S. government has incorporated many of them into Section 508 regulations. Starting in 2017, federal guidelines began to ensure vital information was not being kept away from a particular portion of the population. In April 2024, that dedication to accessibility was furthered by a Department of Justice ruling on Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The impact of accessibility guidelines and laws on government websites and posted materials
Recent efforts at the state level have put an emphasis on digital accessibility. California and New York have tied digital accessibility to anti-discrimination and human rights laws, while many other states — including Colorado, Indiana, and Oregon — are creating guidelines that reflect the federal language in the 2024 ADA ruling.
Many of these laws go beyond increased accessibility in the design of a website and deal with the ability to easily and proactively access content within those websites. For example, starting in 2025, Colorado HB 24-1168 will require all state and local public body meetings be provided with real-time video or audio streaming, and related materials must be posted no less than 24 hours before the meeting for review.
Indiana’s HEA 1167 will require the same technical standards for meetings, allowing for videos to be posted within 90 days if they do not have the technical means for live streaming. Indiana also provides a channel for public complaints under the state’s Open Door Law if groups do not follow guidelines.
While private sector organizations can face lawsuits that can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars in settlements, government organizations face an even more direct impact to their operation when running afoul of digital accessibility guidelines: Removal of federal or state funding, depending on the state.
Further, the final rule by the Department of Justice in 2024 allows the Department to proceed against a municipality or organization that is non-compliant, creating even more legal exposure for digital experiences not built with accessibility in mind.
For public organizations — almost all of which receive some sort of federal funds, either directly or funneled through the state or county — financial assistance has become inextricably tied to these federal guidelines and should be considered a significant impetus for future compliance.
Finding a software partner that understands accessibility issues
Adapting current digital experiences to improve accessibility for those with permanent or temporary disabilities or challenges can be a daunting task for any government organization. From design issues and website frameworks to file security and assistive technology compatibility, it can seem like a never-ending battle.
Key elements of accessible digital experiences for government
Having a software partner that understands the importance of getting accessibility issues right the first time can make that effort easier while helping plot a course for continued awareness of accessibility needs. Granicus, for example, offers digital tools designed from the ground up to support the highest degree of accessibility. But the relationship between Granicus and their clients as a digital partner goes beyond training to ensure governments understand how technology can help overcome accessibility issues rather than hinder accessibility.
How Granicus supports accessibility through VPAT and digital tools
Core to that philosophy is Granicus’ Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT), which helps identify accessibility issues and provide users with a clear understanding of a product’s overall accessibility. Conducted on Granicus products multiple times per year, VPATs can help IT teams better target and overcome accessibility issues.
An organization’s digital experience is made up of many different pieces of software and technology. Further, numerous outside third-party tools can be used with a website to help with accessibility issues, such as assistive readers. Because of that, no single software solution can claim to offer 100% ADA-compliant accessibility, as most accessibility is determined by the content creator themselves and is also impacted by such things as browser and operating system updates that may or may not be in place.
Balancing IT and content creation for better accessibility outcomes
A good software partner will set up a framework and provide the support that helps the organization’s team make sure they’re using it properly. For government, digital accessibility is balanced between the work of the IT department and the content creators who produce the information to be distributed. While members of an organization’s communications team and web admins might not always receive the WCAG-level accessibility training the IT team receives, it is important all staff involved with creating digital experiences in government understand the importance and impact of accessibility.
Having consultative conversations with a partner who understands the intricacies of both government processes and requirements provides a better chance for workflows that easily meet accessibility requirements. The digital tools provided through Granicus are purpose-built for government organizations’ accessibility goals and designed for assistive reader compliance.
Creating a continued dedication to accessibility
Many free online WCAG checkers exist to help content creators in their design and planning for digital experiences. While these are critical tools for better assessing accessibility issues, they do not create accessibility solutions. Building a foundational relationship with a software partner dedicated to accessibility issues and the ever-evolving nature of how accessibility impacts government organizations can provide not only expertise, but peace of mind.
A software partner, such as Granicus, provides organizations the tools to create a framework from which a foundation of accessibility can be built, with trained content creators developing accessible content from the start, as opposed to updating content after it has been shared.
Following the lead of the federal guidelines, states will continue to pass laws that reflect the importance of digital accessibility. While each state might vary in the degree to which their guidelines are more prescriptive or punitive, it’s important to remember each state must use the federal guidelines as a baseline.
Preparing for future accessibility requirements
Developing an accessibility mindset that meets federal standards today will make adapting to future changes easier to achieve tomorrow.
Discover how Granicus solutions can help you build the foundation of an accessible digital future: Learn more.
