Unlock Accessibility:
Empowering Government-Funded Businesses to Serve Everyone
Welcome to our mission-driven initiative dedicated to ensuring equal access for all. At 13Core, we believe that every individual, regardless of ability, deserves to access the vital services provided by government-funded businesses. That’s why we’re proud to offer free accessibility audits and discounts on accessibility remediation services to local government agencies, park districts, medical facilities, first responders, and more.
The Clock is Ticking…
The rule is effective June 24, 2024. Depending on the total population served by the government entity, two different timelines for website compliance exist.
The threshold for determining compliance deadlines is 50,000 people or more, as determined by US census data.
- A public entity, other than a special district government, with a total population of 50,000 must comply by April 24, 2026 (2 years).
- A public entity with a total population of less than 50,000 or any public entity that is a special district government must comply by April 26, 2027 (3 years).
Who does this include?
Any entity that receives any money from their local, state, or federal government. This includes schools, first responders, park districts, medical offices, hospitals, and more.
What are the requirements?
All web content, conventional electronic documents, and mobile apps must comply with all WCAG 2.1 Level A and Level AA success criteria unless they fall under an exception to the rule.
Who can help us fix our website?
The team at 13Core has been staying current with all of the Department of Justice standards for Accessibility so you don’t have to. We are here to help.
Breaking Down Barriers
The Justice Department has taken significant strides in strengthening accessibility requirements for state and local government websites, emphasizing the importance of digital inclusivity. With recent updates to accessibility regulations, it’s essential for government-funded businesses to prioritize accessibility to comply with legal standards and, more importantly, to serve their entire community effectively.
Commitment to Accessibility
At 13Core, we’re passionate about making the digital world accessible to everyone. Our team of experts specializes in identifying and remedying accessibility barriers on websites, ensuring compliance with the latest standards and guidelines. By partnering with us, government-funded businesses can enhance their online presence, reach a broader audience, and fulfill their mission of serving all of their citizens inclusively.
Empower Your Business Today
Don’t let accessibility barriers prevent you from serving your entire community. Partner with 13Core to unlock accessibility and ensure that everyone can access and benefit from your website. Together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable digital world.
How it Works
Comprehensive Assessment
We conduct a thorough evaluation of your website to identify accessibility barriers and areas for improvement.
Remediation Process
Our team implements necessary changes and enhancements to ensure your website meets accessibility standards and guidelines.
Ongoing Support
We provide continuous support and guidance to maintain accessibility standards and address any future accessibility needs.
Take Action Now
Ready to Get Started?
Contact us today to schedule your free accessibility audit and take the first step toward a more inclusive online presence.
Let’s work together to create a more accessible future for all before the time is up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What entities need to ensure their site passes all WCAG 2.1 Level A and Level AA criteria?
Any agency, business, or entity that receives any money or benefits from your local, state, or federal government.
Some types of these entities are:
– First Responders (Police, Fire Departments, Paramedics)
– Private Ambulance Services that bill to Medicare or Medicaid
– Park Districts
– Community Hospitals
– Any doctor’s office that bills to Medicare or Medicaid
– Libraries
– Housing Authorities
– Conservation Districts
– Historical Societies
– Cemeteries
– Public Works
– Airports
– Community Programs
What is web content?
Web content that is required to be accessible online now includes:
– All code or markup that defines the content’s structure, presentation, and interactions on your website
– All text, images, sounds, videos, controls, and animations on the entire website
– All social media posts
– All conventional electronic documents.
What is Conventional Electronic Documents?
“Conventional electronic documents” are defined as web content or content in mobile apps that is in the following electronic file formats:
– Portable document formats (PDFs)
– Word processor file formats (doc, dox, txt, rxt)
– Presentation file formats (sheets, pptx .ppsx .odp ;.ppt)
– Spreadsheet file formats (xml, xts, xlsx, xlsm, xlsx)
The definition provides a long list of electronic file formats that constitute conventional electronic documents. Examples include: Adobe PDF files, Microsoft Word files, Apple Keynote or Microsoft PowerPoint files, and Microsoft Excel files, among others.
What about automated captions for live events?
The rule requires public entities to provide captions on live videos, but the Department of Justice declined to prescribe captioning requirements beyond the WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements, whether by specifying a numerical accuracy standard, a method of captioning that public entities must use to satisfy this success criterion, or other measures.
There is significant discussion in the rule about the lack of accuracy and often insufficiency of automated captions for people who are deaf. However, the Department recognizes the significant costs and supply challenges that can accompany the use of professional live-captioning services. They also noted concerns that a requirement to use live-captions for all events all the time could discourage public entities from conducting services, programs, or activities online, which could have unintended detrimental consequences for people with and without disabilities who benefit from online offerings.
As a result, the rule leaves the decision to provide automated or human-typed captions for live events up to the public entity.
What about Third-Party Web Content and Mobile Apps?
Public entities are required to ensure the accessibility of content and platforms that are created for them by third-party vendors and contractors. The Department of Justice believes individuals with disabilities should not be excluded from these government services because the services are inaccessible and are being provided by third parties on behalf of a public entity, rather than being provided directly by the public entity.
As a result, there are no exceptions for websites or apps built by vendors, and public entities will need to consider accessibility during the procurement process carefully.
Will there be any exceptions?
There are five exceptions to the rule. Content that falls under one or more of the exceptions does not have to be made WCAG 2.1 AA conformation:
1. Archived web content.
2. Preexisting conventional electronic documents, unless such documents are currently used to apply for, gain access to, or participate in the public entity’s services, programs, or activities.
3. Content posted by a third party, unless the third party is posting due to contractual, licensing, or other arrangements with the public entity.
4. Conventional electronic documents that are about a specific individual, their property, or their account and that are password-protected or otherwise secured
5. Preexisting social media posts.
The Department of Justice allowed these exceptions because it believes that requiring public entities to make the particular content described in these categories accessible under all circumstances could be too burdensome at this time. They also want to make sure the funds are not diverted into making these items accessible when they would be better spent on accessibility of key web content and mobile apps.
There is no exception to the rule for web content only available to public entities’ employees.
Okay, but what is “Archived Web Content”?
Archived web content means web content that meets all of the following:
1. Was created before the date the public entity is required to comply.
2. Is retained exclusively for reference, research, or recordkeeping.
3. Is not altered or updated after the date of archiving.
4. Is organized and stored in a dedicated area or areas clearly identified as being archived.
Just how much is this going to cost?
The Department of Justice researched and discussed the anticipated cost of the rule. There are two different costs that they anticipate:
– Initial costs to become compliant in the first three years.
– Annually recurring costs to maintain compliance on an ongoing basis.
They anticipate the initial cost of compliance will be $16.9 billion. Annualized costs over a 10-year period are estimated at $3.3-3.5 billion.
The benefits to people with disabilities far outweigh the costs to public entities of becoming and maintaining accessibility. Annual benefits, beginning once the rule is fully implemented, in time savings and educational attainment total $5.3 billion.
What this will cost your business
It depends on how much work is needed to be done to bring your site to compliant. Typical projects are between $500 to $5,000 for a one-time review, staging site setup, developmental changes on staging site, QA, launch on live site, live QA, and project management time. 13Core always does code changes on a staging site to ensure your live site stays live and performing. Depending on how many errors are on your site and the age of the website (over 3 years), you may want to consider rebuilding your website so that it has more up to date code. It is beneficial to consider choosing a growth plan that includes accessibility to guarantee your site is always performing at its very best.
This sounds really expensive! What if we can’t afford it?
Per the D.O.J. there are some exceptions for undue financial burdens, especially for small public entities.
If a public entity believes that a proposed action would fundamentally alter a service, program, or activity or would result in undue financial and administrative burdens, the public entity has the burden of proving that compliance would result in such an alteration or such burdens.
The decision that compliance would result in such an alteration or such burdens must be made by the head of the public entity or their designee after considering all resources available for use in the funding and operation of the service, program, or activity, and must be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that conclusion.
Where can I go to find more information?
You can obtain copies of this rule in an alternative format by calling the ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or 1-833-610-1264 (TTY). This rule is also available on ada.gov.
Read the Justice Department to Publish Final Rule to Strengthen Web and Mobile App Access for People with Disabilities Press Release
Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments
Federal Register: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities