FREE TITLE II TOOL
The ADA Title II checklist
for every public entity
Every state and local government website and mobile app must conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA under the Department of Justice rule at 28 CFR Part 35. Two checklists: 5 plain-language items for the person who runs the office, 10 technical items for the person who runs the website. Progress saves in your browser; export or email it anytime.
Applies to cities, counties, towns, courts, public school districts, public colleges and universities, libraries, transit agencies, and special districts. Deadlines per the DOJ interim final rule published April 20, 2026, which extended the original 2026/2027 dates by one year.
Want a quicker start? Take the 2-minute readiness quiz for your entity: schools, cities & counties, libraries, parks & rec, transit, or go deep on PDFs and forms.
I run the office - 5 things to do
Plain language for administrators, clerks, and managers: what to do and what to ask for. Each one is a decision or a phone call, not a technical task.
Done with your five? Share this page with your boss and with whoever runs the website - the more eyes on this before the deadline, the better.
I run the website - 10 things to do
The technical work, with the WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria. Work top to bottom: inventory, test, fix, then keep it fixed.
Share this page with your administrator or board - the budget and policy items above need their sign-off.
This is bigger than the website - and someone you know owns it
The DOJ web rule covers web content and mobile apps. But Title II's effective-communication duty has always covered the rest of how you reach residents: mass emails, text alerts, newsletters, social media posts, online records and meeting minutes, and the documents attached to all of them. If those aren't accessible, the same residents are still locked out - and the record-keeping that proves your good faith is part of the program too.
Have you shared these concerns with your Chief Communications Officer or communications team? Your Superintendent, City Manager - whoever is in charge? They own half of this list, and most of them don't know the deadline exists.
Share this checklist with them now Get help from AX4EEmail me my progress + deadline reminders
Enter your email and we'll send your checklist progress now, then nudge you at the milestones that matter before your deadline (April 26, 2027 or 2028). No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Want this done with you, not just by you?
AX4E pairs AI-powered scanning and remediation with certified human specialists: audits, document remediation, VPATs, training, and DOJ-ready documentation. Start with a free scan of your site.
Run a free accessibility scan Free Title II resources Training & certificationTitle II questions, answered plainly
What is the ADA Title II web accessibility rule?
In April 2024 the U.S. Department of Justice published a final rule under ADA Title II (28 CFR Part 35) requiring state and local government web content and mobile apps to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. It applies to cities, counties, courts, school districts, public colleges, libraries, transit agencies, and special districts.
When are the compliance deadlines?
Under the DOJ interim final rule of April 20, 2026, large public entities (population 50,000 or more) must comply by April 26, 2027. Small entities and special district governments must comply by April 26, 2028.
What standard does Title II require?
WCAG 2.1 Level AA, published by the W3C. Both Level A and Level AA success criteria must be met for web content and mobile apps.
Does the rule apply to cities, counties, police, and fire departments?
Yes - every state and local government entity is covered. City and county governments and all of their departments: police, fire, parks, public works, clerks, courts, and elections. If residents use your website or app to pay a bill, report an issue, request records, sign up for alerts, or find civic services, that content must meet WCAG 2.1 AA. Your deadline depends on population: April 26, 2027 for 50,000 or more, April 26, 2028 under that.
What about libraries, public hospitals, health departments, and special districts?
Covered too. Public libraries, county and city health departments, public hospitals and clinics operated by public entities, transit agencies, and special districts (water, sewer, park, and fire protection districts) are all Title II public entities. Special district governments get the April 26, 2028 deadline regardless of size. Privately owned hospitals and businesses fall under ADA Title III instead - still obligated, different rule.
Does the rule apply to school districts?
Yes. Public K-12 districts, colleges, and universities are public entities under Title II. Most districts fall under the small-entity deadline of April 26, 2028, but districts in larger jurisdictions may face the 2027 date.
What content is excepted?
Five limited exceptions: archived web content; preexisting conventional electronic documents; third-party content the entity does not control; individualized password-protected documents; and preexisting social media posts. Exceptions are narrow, and content loses its exception when updated or used for current services.
Is a widget or overlay enough?
Not by itself - but it is a good starting place. A widget like AX4E's accessibility widget adds real accommodations for visitors (screen reader support, keyboard navigation, contrast and text controls) the same day you install it, and it documents good-faith effort while the deeper work happens. Full Title II compliance still requires the underlying content to conform to WCAG 2.1 AA: code, documents, and media fixed, tested, and documented. Start with the widget, then work this checklist.
What happens if we miss the deadline?
Exposure to DOJ enforcement, complaint investigations, and private lawsuits. Documented good-faith progress reduces risk but does not replace conformance, so start with your highest-traffic services.
Does Title II cover our emails, text alerts, and social media - or just the website?
More than just the website. The 2024 web rule applies to web content and mobile apps, including what you post on social platforms and the documents linked from active services. And Title II's longstanding effective-communication requirement applies to the rest: mass emails, text alerts, and newsletters all need to be accessible to residents with disabilities. Practically, your communications team owns as much of this as IT does - share this checklist with your Chief Communications Officer, Superintendent, or whoever is in charge.
Who made this checklist?
AX4E (Access for Everyone), a Midwest-based accessibility initiative. This page is general information, not legal advice, and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Interactive version with progress tracking and email reminders: titleiichecklist.com · Free site scan and remediation help: ax4e.com · Published by AX4E (Access for Everyone)