Updated Title II Rule for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Why It Matters for Public Health, Healthcare, and Public Safety Workforces

Noun project icon representing digital accessibility, with a multi-sensory computer display.

The Noun Project icon for digital accessibility.

National Health Education Week (NHEW) 2025: Special Blog Series on ADA Title II

What is the Title II Rule Change?

On April 24, 2024, the Federal Register published the Department of Justice’s final rule updating its regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Title II of the ADA mandates that state and local governments ensure their services, programs, and activities are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

The final rule sets a specific technical standard to ensure that web content and mobile applications are accessible. The stated technical standard is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1, Level AA.

 

Why the Updated Title II Matters for Public Health, Healthcare, and Public Safety Workforces.

1.   We work in ADA-compliant settings and with ADA-compliant partners and funders.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of examples of state/local services, programs, or activities that need to comply with the ADA:

  • Public education (K-12 schools and public universities)

  • Public transportation

  • Recreation

  • Health care

  • Social services

  • Emergency services

ADA requirements also apply to offices where people go to:

  • Renew licenses

  • Apply for food stamps

  • Pay their taxes

  • Attend town meetings

  • Serve on boards and commissions

  • Conduct other government business

A note for self-employed consultants: ADA Title II compliance will be required for state and local government third-party vendors and contractors. Therefore, this rule change is likely relevant to your client work.

2.   Especially in a post-Covid world, an increasing number of public health, healthcare, and public safety services and educational resources are initiated or delivered online.

Below is just a small sample of the work we are doing online:

  • Sharing online contact forms

  • Soliciting online applications for health and human service benefits

  • Developing website educational content, including downloadable forms and fact sheets

  • Designing online learning and training opportunities

  • Hosting live and recorded virtual town hall meetings

  • Introducing mobile applications to offer real-time public health and public safety updates

 

Important Dates

State and local government compliance dates are in 2026 or 2027, depending on the size of their population.

For most governments, this is a number you can find in the U.S. Census Bureau.

  • 0 to 49,999 persons, compliance date: April 26, 2027

  • Special district governments, compliance date: April 26, 2027

  • 50,000 or more persons, compliance date: April 24, 2026

 

I’d Love to Hear from You!

  • What is your most urgent question, worry, or need about Title II for public health, healthcare, and public safety professionals?

EducationalLeah RomanPublic health, Instructional Design, NHEW, accessibilityComment