Website Accessibility for Small Cities

Website Accessibility is a
Required Part of Providing Public Services Online

Federal ADA requirements apply to Minnesota cities of all sizes, including small cities with limited staff and resources.

Many cities want to do the right thing but face the same challenges: unclear requirements, limited time, and uncertainty about where to start. This service is designed to help small cities in Minnesota understand website accessibility requirements and make steady, manageable progress.

Get an Accessibility Audit

small city office with accessibility checker on screen

Website Accessibility Requirements for Minnesota Cities

In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice finalized new rules under ADA Title II that apply to state and local governments.

On April 20, 2026 an extension was announced for the guidelines. Read more on the Extension of Compliance Dates for Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities.

ADA Title II Website Accessibility Requirements

City websites and mobile applications are required to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level A and AA. These standards help ensure residents using assistive technologies — such as screen readers or keyboard navigation — can access online content and services.

Get an Accessibility Audit

UPDATED! Website Accessibility Compliance Deadlines for Cities

April 24, 2027

Cities with 50,000+ residents

April 26, 2028

Cities with fewer than 50,000 residents

What Website Accessibility Means for City Websites

Website accessibility applies to your entire digital presence, not just your homepage.

This includes:

City website pages and navigation
PDFs, Word documents, and online forms
Images, videos, and audio content
Third-party tools and embedded services
Ongoing content updates created by city staff

keyboard navigation on website infographic

Common website accessibility issues identified on small city websites include:

Missing or incorrect image alternative text (alt text)
Inaccessible PDFs or forms
Low color contrast and readability issues
Improper heading structure
Pages that cannot be navigated using a keyboard

Addressing these issues requires a clear plan and ongoing attention, not a one-time fix.

A Collaborative Website Accessibility Process for Small Cities

Website accessibility works best when cities remain in control of their content and decisions, supported by clear guidance and practical tools. This service follows a collaborative process between your city and Redwood Valley Technical Solutions.

Partner Website Accessibility Audits

The first step is establishing a baseline through a partner website accessibility audit. Using trusted accessibility tools and WCAG standards, the audit helps your city:

Understand how the website currently performs against WCAG 2.1 A/AA
Identify accessibility barriers and higher-risk areas
Establish priorities for remediation

Audit findings are reviewed collaboratively and explained in plain language so city staff can make informed decisions.

Website Accessibility Planning and Prioritization

Using audit results and trusted guidance, your city develops a phased website accessibility plan aligned with:

ADA compliance deadlines
Available staff and budget
Content importance and usage

This phased approach allows steady progress without overwhelming staff or resources.

Website Accessibility Remediation Services

As priorities are identified, accessibility improvements are addressed collaboratively, including:

Website content and structural updates
Improving accessibility of PDFs, forms, and documents
Working within existing website platforms
Coordinating with third-party website vendors as needed

The focus is on practical website accessibility remediation that improves usability and reduces risk over time.

Learn more about ADA compliance and remediation support.

Ongoing Website Accessibility Monitoring and Remediation

Website accessibility is not a one-time project. New content, document updates, and platform changes can introduce new accessibility issues.

Ongoing monitoring and regular remediation help your city:

Identify new accessibility issues as content changes
Address issues before they compound
Maintain long-term website accessibility compliance

Learn more about monitoring and remediation services

Website Accessibility Training, Resources, and Tools for City Staff

Website managers and content editors play a key role in maintaining accessibility over time. This service includes training resources and practical tools to support city staff.

Training and tools help staff:

Understand website accessibility requirements in plain language
Apply accessibility best practices when creating or updating content
Format PDFs, Word documents, and forms accessibly from the start
Use checklists and tools to prevent new accessibility issues

This helps make accessibility part of everyday website management.

Website Accessibility Support for Minnesota Cities

Throughout this process, Redwood Valley Technical Solutions serves as a guide and partner, supporting your city with clarity, structure, and practical resources.