Project Description

Given the upcoming enforcement of federal accessibility guidelines for cities with populations of greater than 50,000 on April 24, 2026, cities are required to examine their digital accessibility policies to ensure compliance. Under Article II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all digital services provided by municipalities must meet the requirements of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.

In light of this, the city of Madison, Wisconsin has requested that the Paragon SP25 Madison Team review the relevant standards of digital accessibility, research the approaches of aspirant cities for modes of comparison, and provide recommendations for strategies to implement appropriate accessibility measures to achieve their goal of full compliance with federal regulations.

Project Aims

In the public sector, prioritizing digital accessibility is essential for ensuring equitable service delivery and proactively adapting to regulatory changes. This project aims to support the City of Madison in developing a comprehensive digital accessibility policy and implementation strategy to achieve compliance with the upcoming 2026 digital accessibility deadline set by Title Ⅱ of the ADA.

The Paragon Team will analyze Madison's current digital accessibility landscape, benchmark against other municipalities, and identify key opportunities and challenges. Based on these insights, the Team aims to provide policy recommendations for Madison to pursue the long-term development of digital accessibility. Ultimately, this project will help Madison build a more inclusive environment, ensuring that people with disabilities can fully access and benefit from public services.

Methodology

Our approach followed a five-stage process to ground the recommendations:

Stage 1: Literature Review
We began by researching the City of Madison’s existing digital accessibility efforts and broader best practices in digital accessibility. This included reviewing academic literature, government resources, journals, and standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Stage 2: Comparative Research
We conducted a comparative analysis of Madison’s digital accessibility policies and practices against those of peer and aspirational cities recognized for their innovation and inclusivity in digital governance.

Stage 3: Stakeholder Outreach
To deepen our understanding of both Madison’s local context and national trends in digital accessibility, we conducted interviews with subject matter experts from municipalities across the country and a former federal policy leader. These conversations helped us assess how other cities are navigating federal accessibility guidelines, what strategies have proven successful, and how Madison might draw inspiration from their experiences. The insights gathered informed our recommendations by highlighting current challenges, effective practices, and opportunities for meaningful progress tailored to Madison’s needs.

Stage 4: Policy Review
We reviewed Madison’s existing Administrative Policy Memoranda (APMs) to assess alignment with digital accessibility standards, identifying areas in need for stronger protocol and further development.

Stage 5: Policy Development and Recommendations
Based on the findings from the previous stages, we developed a comprehensive strategy with actionable recommendations and policy guidance. This plan is designed to help Madison close existing gaps, align with the new Title II digital accessibility requirements, and build inclusive, compliant digital services for all residents.

Project Impact and Future Work

This report demonstrates that Madison is at a pivotal moment in advancing digital accessibility. Our assessment highlights both the city’s current efforts and the structural gaps that must be addressed to meet federal compliance by the April 24, 2026 deadline. By benchmarking against peer and aspirant cities and incorporating input from national accessibility leaders, we provide Madison with a roadmap grounded in practical, forward-looking solutions.

The implementation of our recommendations and sample policies positions Madison to become a leader in municipal digital accessibility. As digital services become central to how residents interact with their city, ensuring accessibility is not only a legal obligation but a civic imperative.

Looking ahead, future work should focus on building internal capacity through training, formalizing ongoing accessibility review processes, and establishing mechanisms for accountability and community feedback. Additionally, Madison should continue monitoring federal guidance, emerging technologies, and evolving best practices to adapt its digital infrastructure and policies over time. This deliverable provides the foundation for Madison to move not only toward compliance, but also long-term digital equity where accessibility is a core value and embedded from the start.

Contributors