If you’ve been putting off making your website accessible, you’re officially running out of time.
Starting in April 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice will begin enforcing WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards for all public-facing government websites, likely including many of the organizations they fund or regulate. If your site isn’t compliant, you could face serious consequences: lawsuits, loss of funding, public scrutiny, or barriers to serving your community.
Accessibility is no longer a “nice to have;” It’s a legal requirement — and more importantly, it’s a responsibility to the people who rely on your site every day.
What Accessibility Really Means
Web accessibility ensures that people with disabilities can use your website just as easily as anyone else.
That includes people who are blind or have low vision; are deaf or hard of hearing; navigate by keyboard or screen reader; or live with cognitive, learning, or mobility challenges.
But this isn’t just about checking boxes. This is about equity.
Imagine walking into a public library and being told you can’t use the front entrance, reach the shelves, or ask the librarian a question because the building wasn’t designed with you in mind. That’s what a non-accessible website feels like for millions of users. If your site isn’t built to include everyone, it’s actively excluding someone.
What’s Changing in 2026
The DOJ’s enforcement policy puts real consequences behind digital inaccessibility. These guidelines, WCAG 2.1 Level AA, aren’t suggestions. They define how websites must work for all users, covering everything from color contrast and text alternatives to keyboard-only navigation and screen reader compatibility.
Bottom line: if your site is public, it needs to work for the public. All of it.
The Hidden Work of Accessibility
Fixing accessibility issues doesn’t just mean adding a widget or overlay. It often requires rethinking how your site is built and how your content is presented.
You might need to update the structure of your code, rewrite vague or confusing content, or add important cues for assistive technology. Things like heading structure, alt text, link labels, and form instructions all play a critical role in how someone experiences your site. Even small issues, like using “Click here,” can create massive roadblocks.
And while that may sound overwhelming, it’s often easier (and more effective) to achieve than you think. You just need a plan.
What Getting Compliant Looks Like
Accessibility work isn’t just about running a scan and fixing a few errors. It’s a structured process that addresses the full ecosystem of your site, from how it’s built to how it’s maintained. Here’s what that typically looks like:
Audit the site
We start with a full review using automated tools and manual testing. This includes screen reader checks, keyboard navigation tests, and analysis of your code and content.
Fix the issues
Our developers correct structural problems in the code, updating templates, adjusting heading levels, adding ARIA roles, and more. Our content team rewrites or adjusts language, alt text, and forms.
Validate accessibility
We test the site again using real assistive technologies like NVDA and VoiceOver. We don’t consider a fix done until it works in the real world.
Train your team
We provide practical training, checklists, and tools so your staff can create and maintain accessible content going forward.
Support long-term governance
Accessibility isn’t a one-and-done effort. We help you establish a sustainable plan to keep your site compliant as it grows and changes.
Why This Matters (Beyond Legal Compliance)
There’s the legal side, sure. But this is also about how people experience your organization online.
For many users, your website is the only point of contact they’ll have. If it’s not built with them in mind, they won’t be able to get the information or services they need. That’s not just frustrating, it’s exclusionary.
Accessible websites tend to be faster, easier to use, and more resilient across devices. They serve mobile users better. They help older adults. They improve SEO. Accessibility isn’t a burden. It’s an upgrade.
You Don’t Need to Do It All at Once
The idea of full accessibility compliance can feel overwhelming, but the key is to start. The sooner you begin, the smoother the process will be.
Clarity will help you break the work into phases and prioritize the changes that make the biggest difference. We’ve supported everything from small nonprofits to complex government portals, and we’ll meet you where you are.
Let’s Build Something Better
Web accessibility is about trust, inclusion, and usability for all. It’s about making sure that everyone, regardless of ability, can access the information and services your organization provides.
And with 2026 fast approaching, it’s not something you can afford to ignore.
We’re here to help. Let’s get your site compliant, future-proof, and built for real people, not just regulations.
Reach out today. Let’s make accessibility part of how you serve your community.
About Clarity Partners
Clarity Partners is a Chicago-based, full-service management and information technology consulting firm that specializes in delivering comprehensive solutions to complex public sector and non-profit challenges. We provide management consulting, enterprise performance management, application development, website design and development, cloud solutions, project management, and IT staffing services to a diverse mix of businesses across the full spectrum of industries.