28 CFR Part 35 · ADA Title II Compliance
Your Forms Aren't ADA Compliant.
The Clock Is Running.State and local governments must make every public-facing digital service accessible. SimpliGov converts paper, PDF, and non-compliant forms into fully accessible digital workflows — fast.
Trusted by state and local government agencies across the U.S.
WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliant, out of the box
GovTech 100 honoree for six consecutive years
THE PROBLEM
An Online PDF Is Not an Accessible Digital Service
Most agencies have made progress on their websites. Forms are a different story. Hundreds of public-facing forms still exist as PDFs or scanned documents — and even when posted online, most aren’t accessible to residents using screen readers, keyboard navigation, or mobile devices.
Fixing them one by one isn’t realistic. And running out the clock isn’t an option. After the deadline, inaccessible forms create direct ADA compliance risk: complaints, DOJ investigations, and urgent remediation under pressure.
Three things that won’t get you to compliance
- Posting a PDF online
- Offering a phone number as an alternative
- Fixing forms department by department, manually
April 24
2026 deadline for agencies serving 50,000+ residents under 28 CFR Part 35
54%
of government CIOs reported to NASCIO they do not have dedicated funding for accessibility services.
1 in 4
Americans live with a disability — these are your constituents.
THE REGULATION
What 28 CFR Part 35 Actually Requires
The DOJ’s final rule under Title II of the ADA requires every state and local government to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards across websites, forms, and mobile content.
| Agency Size | Compliance Deadline |
|---|---|
| Serves 50,000+ residents | April 24, 2026 |
| Serves fewer than 50,000 residents | April 26, 2027 |
If residents cannot independently complete your forms using assistive technology, you are not compliant — regardless of what your website looks like.
WCAG 2.1 Level AA — What It Means for Forms
Perceivable
Content must be readable by screen readers and adapt across formats and devices
Operable
Forms must be fully navigable by keyboard, not just mouse
Understandable
Clear labels, guided input, and error prevention built in
Robust
Must work across all assistive technologies — which PDFs fundamentally cannot do
HOW SIMPLIGOV SOLVES IT
Fast Conversion. Built-In Compliance. No One-Off Fixes.
SimpliGov transforms paper, PDF, and non-compliant forms into WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliant digital workflows — at scale, so your team can meet the deadline without abandoning everything else.
Every form built on SimpliGov meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA out of the box — so residents can complete applications, requests, and submissions without barriers, on any device.
- WCAG 2.1 AA by default
- Screen reader tested
- Keyboard navigation
- Mobile-first design
- Multilingual support
- VPAT available
Meeting the deadline requires speed and standardization — not one-off fixes. SimpliGov gives operations teams the tools to convert forms at scale without diverting resources from core agency work.
- No-code form builder
- No IT queue needed
- Workflow automation
- Bulk form conversion
- Rapid deployment
- Cross department standardization
Compliance isn’t a one-time event. SimpliGov builds in the auditability and standardization leadership needs to demonstrate ongoing compliance — and defend against complaints if they arise.
- Full audit trail
- Compliance reporting
- Department standardization
- VPAT on request
- Risk reduction
Accessibility Doesn't Stop at Submission
Most tools make a form accessible to submit. That’s not enough. ADA compliance extends through the entire service — from intake to resolution.
Other platforms
Make forms accessible to submit. Routing, approvals, and back-office processing are a separate problem.
SimpliGov
Connects accessible intake to efficient internal workflows — routing, approvals, tracking, and resolution — end to end.
Ask any vendor you’re evaluating: “What happens after the form is submitted?”
YOUR ACTION PLAN
The Deadline Is Closer Than Your To-Do List Suggests
Here’s how agencies are moving from non-compliant to ready — without stopping everything else.
1
Identify your highest-risk forms
Start with constituent-facing forms that handle the most submissions — permits, benefits, licensing, service intake.
2
Stop patching PDFs
Retrofitting a PDF does not produce a compliant form. WCAG 2.1 requires structured HTML-based digital forms.
3
Prioritize speed and standardization
One-off fixes take too long. Convert at scale with a platform — not department by department, manually.
4
Build in auditability
Document which forms are accessible and when they were converted. That record matters if a complaint arrives.
5
Don’t forget internal forms
Title II obligations extend to employee-facing processes too — HR, onboarding, and internal requests.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything your agency needs to know about the 2026 ADA accessibility deadline.
What is the ADA compliance deadline for government websites in 2026?
Under 28 CFR Part 35, agencies serving 50,000+ residents must conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA by April 24, 2026. Smaller agencies have until April 26, 2027.
Are PDF forms ADA compliant?
No. PDFs cannot reliably meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements. Screen readers often cannot interpret PDF form fields correctly. The only path to compliance is structured, HTML-based digital forms.
Does 28 CFR Part 35 apply to my agency?
If you are any state or local government entity — city, county, court, public health department, transit agency, housing authority, or special district — yes, it applies to you.
What is WCAG 2.1 Level AA?
It’s the accessibility standard required by the DOJ’s final rule. It requires that digital services be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust — covering screen readers, keyboard navigation, and assistive technologies.
Does compliance apply to internal forms, not just public-facing ones?
Yes. Title II obligations extend to employees with disabilities as well as the public. Internal HR forms, onboarding, and employee-facing requests are part of your compliance picture.
What happens if my agency misses the deadline?
Agencies remain under ADA obligations and face increased risk of formal complaints, DOJ investigations, and potential litigation under Title II. Proactive compliance is far less disruptive than reactive remediation.
April 2026 is Not a Soft Deadline
Your residents need accessible services. Your agency needs a defensible compliance record. Let’s talk about where you stand.