ADA Compliance for Municipal Websites: What Michigan Municipalities Need to Know Before 2026
In a digital world where access to public services often begins online, ensuring your municipal website is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) isn’t just a legal necessity—it’s a public service commitment. Beginning in 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) established new rules requiring state and local government websites to meet updated digital accessibility standards. These changes directly impact municipalities across Michigan and beyond, especially those using digital tools to serve residents.
At Shumaker Technology Group, we specialize in building ADA-compliant websites for Michigan cities, villages, townships, fire departments, chambers of commerce, and sheriff’s offices. As Michigan’s trusted provider of high-quality web solutions, we help communities stay accessible, transparent, and connected.
This article breaks down everything your municipality needs to know about ADA web accessibility requirements, deadlines, compl
What Is the ADA and Why Does It Apply to Websites?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life—including digital services. Though it was passed in 1990, modern interpretations now apply directly to websites and mobile apps, ensuring that residents with visual, auditory, cognitive, motor, or language impairments can access online content just like anyone else.
Think of your municipal website like a digital city hall. It must be navigable, readable, and functional for all visitors, regardless of ability.
ADA and Website Compliance: What’s New in 2024
In April 2024, the DOJ finalized its ADA Website Accessibility Rule, mandating that public entities comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.
Compliance Deadlines Based on Municipality Size
• Municipalities with 50,000 or more residents must comply by April 26, 2026
• Municipalities with fewer than 50,000 residents must comply by April 24, 2027
These deadlines are fast approaching. If your website is not compliant by then, you risk not only legal consequences but also a failure to serve your community equitably.
Why ADA Compliance Matters for Municipalities
1. Serve All Residents Equally
Over 25% of U.S. adults live with a disability. Ensuring your website is accessible gives every resident equal access to services, forms, alerts, public records, and contact information.
2. Improve Overall User Experience
ADA best practices make your site easier to navigate for all users—not just those with disabilities.
3. Avoid Legal Risks and Fines
Non-compliance may result in lawsuits, federal fines, increased insurance premiums, and costly remediation projects.
4. Boost Credibility and Transparency
ADA compliance shows that your municipality values inclusivity and transparent governance.
5. Future-Proof Your Digital Presence
Implementing accessibility now means fewer updates later and ensures your technology investments are sustainable.
Key ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Websites
To meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, municipalities must follow a series of accessibility criteria. Here are the most important areas your team should review:
1. Clear and Simple Language
• Use easy-to-understand wording
• Choose legible fonts, proper spacing, and high contrast text
• Avoid jargon or insider terminology
2. Logical Content Structure
• Organize content using heading tags (H1, H2, H3) in the correct order
• Use consistent layouts for menus and navigation
• Enable screen readers to interpret content as it visually appears
3. Alternative (ALT) Text
• Add meaningful ALT text to all images and videos
• Describe visual content so visually impaired users understand it
4. Color Contrast
• Maintain a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text
• Ensure text is readable against its background, especially on buttons and banners
5. Readable Documents
• PDFs and downloadable content must include headings, tables of contents, and readable text
• Screen readers should be able to narrate every document
6. Responsive Design
• Websites must display properly on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices
• Layouts should adjust dynamically without horizontal scrolling
7. Descriptive Links
• Replace “Click here” with specific links like “View Board Meeting Schedule”
• Clarify link destinations for all users
8. Keyboard Accessibility
• Every page element must be accessible via keyboard
• Include visible focus indicators for navigation
9. Video Captioning
• Provide captions and transcripts for videos, such as council meetings or event recaps
10. Avoid Auto-Playing Media
• Eliminate audio or video that plays automatically
• This can interfere with assistive technologies and cause confusion
11. Error Prevention
• Offer clear, distinguishable error messages
• Help users fix mistakes with helpful cues and instructions
12. Label Archived Content
• Content that predates compliance rules should be labeled as “Archived”
• These sections are exempt but must be clearly separated
Tools and Resources for Evaluating Website Accessibility
There are several tools available to assess your current site:
• WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool
• Google Lighthouse Audit
• NVDA & JAWS Screen Readers
• A11y Project Checklist and Resources
These can help you identify problem areas, but professional audits are more comprehensive.
What Happens if You Don’t Comply?
Failing to meet ADA web requirements can lead to:
• Federal lawsuits and court-ordered remediation
• Fines ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars
• Higher insurance premiums
• Damaged public trust and credibility
• Increased costs for emergency fixes
Ultimately, non-compliance isn’t just a legal risk—it’s a missed opportunity to lead with transparency, accessibility, and trust.
How Shumaker Technology Group Helps Municipalities Stay ADA Compliant
At Shumaker Technology Group, we specialize in helping Michigan municipalities achieve full ADA compliance—on time and within budget. Our ADA-compliant websites are designed with accessibility, functionality, and community identity in mind. We offer:
• Custom web design that meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards
• Full ADA audits and implementation plans
• Accessible document preparation for public records and agendas
• Responsive, mobile-first designs
• Secure and easy-to-manage website platforms
• Local support from a Michigan-based team
Whether you’re a large city preparing for the 2026 deadline or a small township aiming to meet the 2027 requirements, we’ll help you navigate the path to compliance.
Free Website ADA Audit: Are You Ready?
Not sure if your website is compliant? We offer a free ADA compliance audit to help you assess your readiness.
What’s Included:
• Manual audit of 5 pages or documents
• Automatic scan of 10 pages or documents
• 30–60 minute consultation to review findings and plan next steps
This free audit is the best way to gain clarity and start building a compliance strategy that’s proactive and cost-effective.
Schedule your free Audit now to avoid future legal issues and lead with digital equity in your community.
Conclusion: Act Now for a More Inclusive Digital Future
ADA compliance isn’t a trend—it’s the future of public service. As deadlines approach, now is the time for Michigan municipalities to modernize their digital presence and serve every resident equally. With the help of accessibility experts and proactive planning, your municipality can meet legal requirements while delivering an outstanding online experience.
Shumaker Technology Group is here to help you every step of the way. Together, we’ll create a more inclusive, efficient, and transparent digital presence for your community.
