Hey there! If you’re managing media for a community station or a small municipal access channel, you’re probably wondering what the new ADA Title II rules mean for you, especially with limited resources. Questions about who this applies to, when to start worrying about it, and what’s really important are coming up a lot right now.
This week on the Government Video Podcast, I’m sharing an insightful conversation I had back in July with Mike Bradley from Bradley Werner Law, where we break it all down. Mike specializes in telecom law and ADA compliance and shared some fantastic insights. If you’re wondering how to prepare without feeling overwhelmed, here’s a guide to get you started.
1. When Should Smaller Stations Start Paying Attention to New DOJ WCAG Rules?
The short answer? Now’s a good time to start planning. You don’t need to rush into a complete overhaul, but 2026 and 2027 (the deadlines for larger and smaller municipalities, respectively) aren’t as far away as they seem. The DOJ’s new Title II rules set specific accessibility standards for government websites, mobile apps, and—here’s the big one for you—online video content. This includes requirements for closed captioning on live video and web interfaces that are accessible for people with disabilities.
As Mike explained in the podcast, this compliance push is part of a larger trend toward accessible government communications. Public expectation for accessibility is only growing, so if you start planning now, you’ll be in a good spot to meet these standards by the deadline without scrambling.
How to Know if These Rules Apply to You:
If you’re producing media for a city, county, or another government body, these rules most likely apply. Even if you’re a small station, if you receive any funding from local government or have contracts to broadcast public meetings or events, you’re considered part of the “effective communications” requirement under the ADA. That means it’s on you to provide accessible content, including things like captions and web accessibility for your programming.
2. Low-Effort Content Accessibility Steps You Can Start Today
I know, I know—new regulations can be overwhelming. But I promise there are some simple, low-stress steps you can take now to start preparing:
- Do a Quick Accessibility Audit
Start by taking a look at your current setup. Are any of your videos already captioned? Is your website reasonably accessible? Even if you can’t do a full audit yet, getting a general sense of where you stand can make planning a lot easier.
- Get Familiar with the Basics of WCAG 2.1 AA
If you’ve never heard of it before, WCAG stands for the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, and “2.1 AA” is the level of accessibility the DOJ is now requiring. This guideline covers things like captions, screen reader compatibility, and easy-to-navigate layouts. You don’t have to be an expert, but knowing the basics of what’s expected can help you make informed choices.
- Test Out Automated Captioning Tools
Automated captioning tech has improved a lot in recent years, and testing out an affordable or free option is a great low-commitment way to start. Platforms like YouTube offer basic auto-captioning, but if you’re streaming or broadcasting live government meetings, look into a more reliable automated service. By trying it now, you’ll get a sense of what works and how much effort it takes to clean up the captions for accuracy.
- Talk to Your Equipment Vendors
If you’re working with a playback or streaming vendor, ask if they support accessibility features like captions and audio descriptions. Some vendors already have tools or upgrades that meet ADA standards. If not, find out what steps they might take in the future to keep up with the DOJ’s requirements. As Mike put it, “Your vendor might be able to help you get there without a huge investment, so it’s worth asking.”
- Look into Funding Sources
There are federal and state grants that can help you make accessibility upgrades. BEAD funding (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment), Department of Education grants, and even DHS cybersecurity funds can sometimes be applied to ADA compliance projects. Mike mentioned a few other funding options in the episode, and he recommended that smaller stations start exploring grants sooner rather than later to spread out the cost of any upgrades.
3. What Could Change Under a New Administration?
With all the changes in Washington, it’s natural to wonder if these new rules could be rolled back or delayed.
- What Will Likely Stay the Same
Accessibility requirements, especially around ADA compliance, have broad support across the political spectrum. It’s unlikely that the core requirements for web and video accessibility will go away. The public demand for accessible media is also growing—people are used to captions on social media, for example, and expect the same accessibility from government content.
- What Could Change
The timeline and enforcement approach could see adjustments. It’s possible a new administration could extend the deadlines, particularly if there’s a lot of feedback from small stations and municipalities about the cost of compliance. We may also see additional funding opportunities emerge, especially if the government decides to support local stations with grant programs specific to accessibility. But in general, the standards themselves aren’t likely to go away, so planning for compliance is still a smart move.
What’s Next?
If you’re feeling a bit of pressure, remember that you don’t have to tackle this all at once. Just being aware of the requirements and starting with small steps can make a big difference. The new DOJ standards are all about ensuring that government content is accessible to everyone, and that’s a goal we can all get behind.
For more tips, funding suggestions, and compliance advice, listen to the full episode. We get into all the details, from the WCAG standards to practical advice on avoiding potential ADA lawsuits. Compliance might sound like a big challenge, but if you start now, you’ll have plenty of time to make it manageable—and ultimately create a more inclusive experience for all your viewers.
Why You Should Listen to This Episode
If you’re working with local government video, accessibility, or community media, this episode is full of practical advice tailored to the challenges government video teams face today. Mike Bradley breaks down the DOJ’s new ADA requirements in a way that makes them approachable and manageable, even for smaller teams on tight budgets.
If you found this content helpful, don’t keep it to yourself! Share this post and the episode with your colleagues and fellow government media pros to help everyone get ahead of these new rules. And as always, let us know if there are other topics you’d like us to tackle—together, we can make government media more accessible and inclusive for all!
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