Summary
The DOJ proposed a new ruling under Title II of the ADA that would outline technical accessibility guidance for public entities to follow.
New ADA ruling
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced some exciting news last week: They proposed a new ruling under Title II of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) that would make it easier for public entities to create accessible web and mobile apps, and therefore increase access for those of us living with disabilities.
What does this mean?
While this proposed ruling is still a draft, it’s a huge step forward for the rights of people living with disabilities. It would provide public entities, such as state and local governments, with concrete technical guidance for creating accessible websites and mobile apps.
Not only will this help increase access for people with disabilities, but it will also help state and local governments understand exactly how they can make their websites and mobile apps accessible. While not covered by this ruling, private entities will also be able to follow the guidelines that the ruling will provide to increase their website’s accessibility. This will reduce the number of lawsuits against businesses with websites, as there will be clear guidelines of what they need to do to make their site accessible.
Looking ahead
Because this rule was recently proposed, it will be a while before it can become official. The Department of Justice will begin taking comments from the public soon, which can be submitted online on https://www.regulations.gov/. Make sure to stay up-to-date with WeCo’s accessibility blog to learn about new developments!
Learn more about the ADA
Changes to AB 1757 Could Reshape Legal and Disability Rights Landscapes
DOJ NEW RULES: Truly Accessible Web Information and Services for Users with a Digital Disability
The ADA and Websites: Changing How We View People with Disabilities
