Until the April 26, 2027 deadline.
What Changed?
The U.S. Department of Justice has extended the compliance deadlines.
While this gives public entities more time, it’s important to understand what hasn’t changed:
the expectations remain the same.
State and local governments are still required to ensure all public-facing digital content - including websites, mobile apps, and multimedia is accessible.
For the first time, compliance is explicitly tied to WCAG 2.1 Level AA, the global standard for digital accessibility.
This means every public entity from states and cities to school districts and utilities must ensure their digital services meet accessibility requirements, including support for captions, transcripts, and audio description.
Who Must Comply - and When?
What WCAG 2.1 AA Requires*
Digital accessibility isn’t optional. These requirements ensure equal access for people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or low vision - and create a better digital experience for all citizens. Under WCAG 2.1 AA, public entities must provide:
Captions
All prerecorded video, plus real-time captions for live streams (council meetings, hearings, events).
Transcripts
All audio-only content (podcasts, announcements, audio archives).
Audio Description (AD)
Prerecorded videos must include audio description whenever visuals carry meaning not spoken aloud.
How AI-Media Can Help...
Our solutions are designed to deliver predictable, scalable pricing models that meet the needs of public agencies operating under strict budget cycles. With AI-Media, compliance is practical, affordable (a fraction of the cost of human captioning or audio description services), and scalable.
Explore Our Most Recent Blogs
Explore ADA blogs alongside the latest from AI-Media for valuable insights and industry updates.
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ADA Title II – Compliance Made Simple with AI
Insights into WCAG 2.1 AA and
AI-powered accessibility.
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ADA Title II & Video Accessibility – What Organizations Need to Do Now
Guidance on video accessibility and audio description.
Download the ADA Compliance Checklist
Get started today with our FREE
10-point ADA Title II Compliance Checklist.
- Identify what’s required under WCAG 2.1 AA
- Understand deadlines for your entity
- Step-by-step readiness plan
Have a question?
FAQS
Find quick answers about ADA Title II.
Do all videos need captions?
Yes. Prerecorded video must have accurate, synchronized captions. Live video (e.g., council meetings, hearings) must include real-time captions.
What about audio-only content like podcasts?
WCAG requires text transcripts for all audio-only media.
Is audio description really mandatory?
Yes. WCAG 2.1 AA makes audio description mandatory for prerecorded videos where visuals convey meaning not already spoken in the main audio.
Can automated solutions meet the standard?
Yes. The DOJ does not prescribe how captions or audio descriptions are created - only that they meet WCAG 2.1 AA outcomes. Automated tools like AI-Media’s LEXI Text and LEXI AD are the only scalable way to cover large volumes of content affordably.
Can I trust AI-Media?
YES! AI-Media is a global leader in live captioning and translation services with more than 20 years of broadcast experience. LEXI Text and LEXI AD represent the next evolution of AI-powered accessibility - delivering high-quality captions and audio descriptions that make content truly inclusive. Both solutions are built on decades of live media expertise and continuous innovation shaped by the world’s largest broadcasters and event brands.
Where can I read more about the official ADA Title II rule and guidance from the Department of Justice?
You can access the full text and supporting materials directly from the U.S. Department of Justice:
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DOJ Final Rule in the Federal Register (April 24, 2024) – The complete ADA Title II Final Rule, as published in the Federal Register.
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ADA.gov Fact Sheet: Web & Mobile Accessibility Under Title II – A plain-language summary from DOJ outlining what the rule requires.
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DOJ Announcement: Final Rule to Strengthen Web & Mobile App Access – Official DOJ press release highlighting key changes and compliance dates.