Now’s the time to set your digital accessibility goals, timelines, and tasks

The Department of Justice’s final rule regarding state government website accessibility went into effect in June 2024. For states navigating these requirements, now is the time to develop a thoughtful strategy and roadmap.

The U.S. Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer agrees. Its 2023 Strengthening Digital Accessibility and the Management of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act memorandum recommends that government agencies “develop an internal digital accessibility strategic roadmap and align it to agency-wide strategic planning efforts…and budget formulation efforts.” 

In other words, you need a plan for establishing and maintaining digital accessibility. A thoughtfully designed roadmap serves as your digital accessibility blueprint. It guides you through evolving digital landscapes and the emergence of new accessibility requirements. And it aligns to your agency’s strategic plan and budget.

Nuanced considerations for state agencies

Beyond these core elements of a digital accessibility roadmap, the U.S. General Services Agency (GSA), which is responsible for helping federal agencies comply with accessibility requirements, offers a digital accessibility checklist. State agencies can use this as a guide to identify and manage risks, gain support, and implement changes to agency policies, processes, and technologies to become fully accessible. 

Within the GSA’s checklist, there are more nuanced considerations for ensuring digital accessibility within the government ecosystem. This includes defining agency controls, creating an audit plan, developing policy requirements for defining, budgeting, and implementing alternative means for non-compliant solutions, and setting a risk management process to inform accessibility discussions with management. GSA also recommends that agencies “review and revise accessibility policy and standards to keep pace with regulatory, organizational, agency process, and technology changes” and complete this work in parallel with your existing agency technology roadmaps.

A first step toward full digital accessibility

While a roadmap helps governments stay on the right path, the starting point is going to vary by agency or program. If your digital assets are all fully accessible, a roadmap keeps digital accessibility as a priority. 

If your digital assets have been audited and deficiencies identified, a roadmap outlines your journey to remediation and future compliance.

The time for digital inclusion is now. A roadmap will help state governments pave the way for a future where digital services are not just accessible but also act as a bridge to a more inclusive and equitable society.