New ADA Rules Are Here — Is Your Media Compliant?
The Department of Justice has finalized WCAG 2.1 AA compliance requirements for all government digital content. Now's the time to take action and stay ahead.
The Compliance Clock Is Ticking
until ADA Title II enforcement begins requiring WCAG 2.1 AA compliance
The April 26, 2027 deadline applies to municipalities with 50,000+ population. Smaller municipalities and special districts have until April 26, 2028. Over 4,000 ADA lawsuits were filed last year alone, and “surf-by” plaintiffs are actively targeting non-compliant agencies.
Starting now gives you time to implement properly rather than scrambling when plaintiffs come calling.
What Non-Compliance Looks Like
ADA accessibility lawsuits are at an all-time high, and government agencies are increasingly targeted. Here's what you're up against.
4,000+ Lawsuits
ADA digital accessibility lawsuits filed annually since 2021.
$50K-$100K+
Total litigation costs including settlement, legal fees, and remediation.
DOJ Enforcement
Active DOJ investigations targeting government digital accessibility.
Public Complaints
Residents can file complaints directly with the DOJ Office of Civil Rights.
Recent DOJ Actions Against Government Agencies
The DOJ has entered into settlement agreements with cities, counties, and state agencies for web accessibility violations. These settlements typically require:
- Immediate remediation of all accessibility barriers
- Ongoing monitoring and reporting for 3+ years
- Compensatory damages to affected individuals
- Payment of complainant legal fees ($50K-$200K+)
- Public posting of accessibility statements
Know Your Deadline
The ADA Title II deadline depends on your jurisdiction's population. Both deadlines are firm—no extensions have been granted.
Cities, counties, and special districts serving populations of 50,000 or more.
Smaller municipalities, villages, townships, and special district governments.
Important: There are no exemptions for budget constraints, technical complexity, or "good faith efforts." The DOJ has made clear that compliance is required, not optional. Start planning now to avoid rushed implementations and last-minute scrambling.
Video Accessibility Requirements
WCAG 2.1 Level AA sets specific requirements for video and multimedia content. Here's what you need and how MediaScribe delivers it.
Captions for Video
WCAG 1.2.2All pre-recorded video content must include synchronized captions.
Live Captions
WCAG 1.2.4Real-time captions required for live audio content in synchronized media.
Audio Descriptions
WCAG 1.2.5Pre-recorded video must include audio descriptions of visual content.
Language Access
Title VIMeaningful access for Limited English Proficient individuals.
MediaScribe Covers All Video Requirements
One platform handles captions, audio descriptions, and language translation—everything you need for WCAG 2.1 AA video compliance. No need to piece together multiple vendors or manage separate workflows.
Fast-Track Your Compliance
MediaScribe is designed to get you compliant quickly. Here's how our features help you meet the deadline without rushing.
Instant Compliance
Start captioning meetings the same day you install. No lengthy setup or training.
Live CaptioningOne-Click Presets
Save configurations for different meeting types. Staff click one button to start.
Platform OverviewArchive Processing
Make years of archived content accessible automatically—before the deadline.
Asset ManagementAudio Descriptions
AI-powered descriptions for visual content meet WCAG 1.2.5 requirements.
Audio DescriptionsLanguage Translation
70+ languages included at no extra cost for Title VI compliance.
Supported LanguagesProcess Your Archive Before 2026
The ADA deadline applies to existing content too—not just new meetings. If you have years of archived video without captions, you need a plan to make it accessible.
Manual captioning of 500 hours of archived content costs $75,000+ and takes months to complete.
MediaScribe processes archived content automatically. Upload your backlog and let the system work through it—captions, transcripts, and formats generated without manual effort.
Path to Compliance
A realistic timeline for government procurement and implementation. Start now to avoid last-minute pressure.
- Audit current accessibility status
- Identify gaps in video accessibility
- Evaluate vendor options
- Budget planning
- Prepare RFP documentation
- Vendor evaluation
- Contract negotiations
- Budget approval
- Install MediaScribe appliance
- Configure for your workflows
- Train staff on operation
- Pilot with select meetings
- Roll out to all meetings
- Process archive backlog
- Establish workflows
- Document compliance
Why Start Now?
Government procurement takes time. Budget cycles, RFPs, stakeholder approvals—they all add up.
What Happens If You Wait Until 2026?
Ready to Get Compliant?
We'll help you understand your current status, build a realistic timeline, and implement a solution that gets you compliant well before the deadline.
Don't Wait Until It's Too Late
Schedule a consultation to create your compliance roadmap. We'll help you understand where you stand and what it takes to get compliant before April 2027.