Ensuring that your municipal website or citizen portal is ADA-compliant isn’t a one-time checkbox. Many local governments work hard to launch websites that meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards at go-live, but fail to keep them compliant as new content, features, and updates are added. For residents with disabilities, this can mean sudden barriers to accessing services they rely on. Municipalities need a proactive, ongoing approach to accessibility testing and remediation.

Why Ongoing ADA Compliance Matters

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related laws require public entities to provide accessible digital services. Accessibility isn’t static; websites evolve over time. Each time new documents, online forms, videos, or interactive elements are added, they can introduce fresh accessibility issues. Without continuous monitoring, even the most compliant site can become a legal risk and a source of frustration for users.

Beyond legal compliance, accessible websites improve usability for everyone, including older adults, people with temporary injuries, or those using mobile devices under challenging conditions. Consistent accessibility builds trust and shows a commitment to inclusivity.

Strategies for Maintaining Compliance

1. Schedule Regular Automated Scans
Use automated tools like Axe, WAVE, or Siteimprove to check for common accessibility violations. These tools can scan your portal regularly and flag errors like missing alt text, improper heading structures, or insufficient color contrast.

2. Conduct Manual Testing
Automated scans only catch 30–50% of issues. Manual testing with screen readers (e.g., NVDA or JAWS), keyboard navigation, and real user testing helps uncover more complex barriers.

3. Train Staff and Content Contributors
Anyone who uploads content, from PDFs to images, should understand accessibility basics. Training empowers staff to avoid introducing issues in the first place.

4. Keep Policies and Processes Updated
Maintain an internal accessibility policy outlining who is responsible for testing, how frequently it should occur, and how remediation should be tracked.

5. Document Everything
Maintain records of scans, issues found, and corrective actions taken. This documentation is invaluable if your municipality ever faces a complaint or audit.

Challenges Municipalities May Face

• Limited Budget or Staff: Smaller municipalities may struggle to prioritize ongoing testing due to staffing or budget constraints.

• Third-Party Content: Many citizen portals embed third-party tools or forms that can introduce inaccessible elements outside your direct control.

• Lack of Awareness: Without dedicated training, content managers and developers may not understand how seemingly minor changes can break accessibility.

Benefits of Proactive Accessibility

• Reduces legal exposure from ADA lawsuits, which have increased sharply in recent years.

• Enhances the user experience for all residents.

• Demonstrates a commitment to equity and inclusion.

• Future-proofs your website against evolving standards.

ADA compliance is not a destination but an ongoing journey. Municipalities must approach accessibility as a living, breathing process, just like security or data privacy. Regular testing, staff education, and a culture of inclusivity are essential to ensuring that every resident can engage fully with their local government online.