Is Your Court Ready for the New ADA Title II Digital Accessibility Requirements?

Here's something that might not be on your radar yet but should be: the Department of Justice just rolled out some significant changes to ADA Title II that directly impact how courts handle their digital services. And yes, that includes those self-service kiosks that more and more courts are deploying.

The Basics: What's New and When It Matters

In April 2024, the DOJ gave clear guidelines on digital accessibility for government services. The compliance deadlines are firm: April 26, 2026, for public entities serving populations of 50,000 or more, and April 26, 2027, for those serving smaller populations. They've adopted WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the standard—think screen reader compatibility, proper contrast ratios, keyboard navigation, and captioned videos.

Here's the part that might surprise you: any company that develops, manages, or supports digital platforms used by state and local governments must comply with WCAG 2.1 A/AA standards within the same timelines. So, it's not just about what your IT team builds—it's about each piece of technology your court uses to serve the public.

Where Kiosks Fit In

You might be wondering how this applies to self-service kiosks. While the new rule focuses mainly on websites and mobile apps, kiosks absolutely fall under the broader ADA Title II requirements for program access and effective communication. For courts serving diverse communities, an inaccessible kiosk isn't just a missed opportunity—it's a real barrier.

This is why we've always baked accessibility into our solutions from day one. Take El Paso County's multi-kiosk deployment—it serves both English and Spanish speakers across a vast, diverse area. Or Chester County, Pennsylvania, where telepresence capabilities mean citizens can get help from remote court staff when they need it. These aren't just nice-to-have features; they're essential for truly serving everyone who walks through your doors.

Why Getting Ahead of This Makes Sense

Nobody wants to deal with compliance issues after the fact. Non-compliance carries significant risks that can result in costly settlements, mandatory remediation, and legal fees. But beyond the legal considerations, accessible technology just works better for everyone.

When citizens can independently navigate your courthouse, complete forms without assistance, or make payments without waiting in line, your staff is freed up to handle the complex cases that require human expertise. It's a win-win.

The Bottom Line

If you're thinking about self-service technology or reviewing what you already have in place, the ADA Title II timeline makes this more than just a nice-to-have conversation. It's about making sure your court can serve every member of your community effectively—and stay compliant while doing it.

Our solutions are designed with these requirements in mind, and we'd love to show you how they can work for your court. Want to explore what's possible?