The ADA Ruling: A New Legal Mandate for Accessibility

On April 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice finalized a new rule: all state and local governments must ensure their web content and mobile apps are accessible to people with disabilities.

This means meeting WCAG 2.1, Level AA standards—the internationally recognized benchmark for accessible digital content.

Because of this ruling, all government agencies now face clear deadlines:

→ Governments with 50,000 or more persons: April 24, 2026
→ Governments with 0 to 49,999 persons: April 26, 2027
→ Special district governments: April 26, 2027

For larger jurisdictions, that’s less than a year away.

The message is clear: the era of inaccessible PDFs and paper-based processes is over. Agencies that don’t act now risk falling out of compliance—while leaving residents struggling to access critical benefits.

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Why Accessible Web Design Matters for Governments

While these looming deadlines may feel overwhelming, racing to meet the bare minimum for compliance isn’t enough. To truly transform service delivery, government agencies need to pair federal design standards like USWDS with a thoughtful, equity-centered approach to modernization.

That’s where Exygy comes in.

We don’t just help agencies “install” USWDS. We work alongside government teams to integrate human-centered, equity-driven design principles into every step of the modernization process. Our approach includes:

• Creating data-driven tools to make sure impact is measurable and actionable.

• Reducing administrative burden by streamlining workflows and minimizing errors.

• Replacing outdated, PDF-heavy websites with intuitive, searchable digital portals.

• Building equity into the process by designing with and for the communities each agency serves.

• Modernizing application processes so residents can apply for multiple programs in minutes, not weeks.

Every confusing form, broken flow, or inaccessible page represents a barrier to critical resources. That’s why our team of civic tech experts is committed to breaking down those barriers through equitable and accessible technology and digital solutions.

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From Weeks to Minutes: Real Results in Action

When governments combine consistent standards with thoughtful implementation, digital services stop being barriers and start becoming lifelines for real families.

At Exygy, we bring together our open source products like CiviForm and Bloom Housing along with deep technical expertise to help government agencies deliver real results:

✅ Faster delivery of services
‍✅ Reduced administrative burden
‍✅ Compliance and risk management
‍✅ More benefits reaching more people

We’ve already worked with several state and local governments to do this meaningful work, and the outcomes really speak for themselves.

The State of Arkansas now has a centralized place for residents to submit one application and, in minutes, discover all the state programs they’re eligible for.

And in the City of Charlotte, benefits application times dropped from 3–4 weeks to just 6 minutes, while eligibility decisions now happen in 24–48 hours instead of a month.

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Modernization is More Than Compliance

Following USWDS standards and federal ADA mandates is important, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg. The real opportunity lies in using these standards to reimagine what government services can look like when accessibility, equity, and usability are the driving forces.

At Exygy, we believe that access to public benefits should be fast, intuitive, and accessible to everyone who needs them. And with the right approach, that’s not just possible—it’s already happening.

Reach out to see what modernization could look like at your agency.

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