The 2024 DOJ Rule: What It Means for Your PDFs (Cities, Counties & Special Districts)
Alexandra Metz
Digital accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about ensuring every member of your community can access public information, forms, and services. For local governments, that includes not only websites but also the thousands of documents you publish online: council minutes, permit forms, financial reports, agendas, and more.
In 2024, the Department of Justice issued a final rule that makes expectations around accessibility crystal clear. For cities, counties, and special districts, the message is simple: your documents must be accessible, and deadlines are coming fast.
Who Needs to Comply—And By When?
Under ADA Title II, all state and local governments must ensure that digital content is accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes websites and the documents they host. Section 508 also applies to federally funded agencies.
≥ 50,000 residents
Deadline: April 24, 2026
< 50,000 residents
Deadline: April 24, 2027
Deadline: April 24, 2027
What Actually Makes a PDF Accessible?
It’s a common misconception that simply adding tags makes a PDF accessible. In reality, accessible documents include all of the following:
- Proper structure: Headings, paragraphs, lists, and tables in a logical reading order.
- Alternative text: Descriptions for images, maps, icons, and other non-text content.
- Searchable text: OCR for scanned PDFs so text isn’t locked in an image.
- Consistent navigation: Outlines/bookmarks and clear focus order for longer documents.
- Language settings & metadata: Correct document language and essential properties set.
- Contrast & link clarity: Legible color contrast and descriptive links for context.
- Form accessibility: Labeled fields, error messages, and keyboard operability.
A Practical Way Forward
Most agencies are managing years—sometimes decades—of public documents across multiple systems. Manual remediation for every file is slow and expensive, while new content keeps being published daily. The most effective approach blends prioritization with modern tooling:
- Inventory & prioritize: Identify public-facing, high-traffic, high-impact documents first.
- Shift left: Train staff to create accessible PDFs by default.
- Use automation where it excels: Apply tools to handle scale and speed.
- Target human review: Reserve specialists for complex, edge-case documents.
Remediation and New Compliance Tools to Make Your Life Easier
Traditional, file-by-file remediation has a place—especially for highly complex legacy documents—but it can’t keep up with growing libraries and daily updates on its own. New approaches eliminate per-page fees, cut turnaround time, and make accessibility ongoing instead of one-and-done.
For a deeper breakdown of options (DIY, outsourcing, automation, and hybrids), see our in-depth guide to remediation methods and tools.
DocAccess: Compliance Without the Complexity
DocAccess instantly converts inaccessible PDFs into accessible HTML transcripts directly on your website—no uploading or waiting. It’s built to help cities, counties, and special districts stay ahead of DOJ timelines while improving access for every resident.
- Automatic compliance: Meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards in real time.
- Always current: Newly posted or externally linked PDFs are handled automatically.
- Fast rollout: Add one line of code and cover your entire document library.
- Affordable at scale: No per-page remediation fees—sustainable, ongoing accessibility.
Note: This post summarizes high-level requirements and timelines. For the official rule text, see the Federal Register publication. For specific legal guidance, consult your counsel or state accessibility office.