States Impose Stricter Accessibility Rules on Tech Vendors
Technology companies that provide digital tools to state and local governments face growing contractual and procurement burdens to ensure compliance with web accessibility standards.
A 2024 Department of Justice final rule requires state and local government web content and mobile apps to be accessible to people with disabilities, setting compliance deadlines for 2027 and 2028. In anticipation, public entities are shifting the legal and operational burden for compliance to their third-party information and communications technology (ICT) vendors.
Clients who sell technology to the public sector must now navigate more stringent procurement processes and contractual terms. States including New York, Texas, and Virginia are increasingly requiring vendors to provide accessibility documentation, such as Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) and Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs), and to commit to remediation roadmaps. This trend exposes vendors to new risks, including loss of contracts and liability for non-compliance.
Tech vendors serving government clients should proactively audit their products against Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA and prepare to handle more rigorous accessibility diligence, including contractual representations and indemnities, to remain competitive.