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Smart Exceptions: How to Save Time, Reduce Risk, and Stay Compliant Under ADA Title II

Handouts

Presented at 9:00 am in Penrose 1 on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

#41417

Speaker(s)

  • Glenda Sims, Chief Information Accessibility Officer, Deque

Session Details

  • Length of Session: 1-hr
  • Format: Lecture
  • Expertise Level: Beginner
  • Type of session: General Conference

Summary

The new ADA Title II rule is here—and the clock is ticking. State and local gov and edu (and their vendors) must meet WCAG 2.1 A/AA for web and mobile content as early as April 24, 2026. This session breaks down who’s impacted, what’s required, what qualifies as an exception, and how to prioritize efforts. You’ll leave with clarity on compliance, legal context, and a roadmap to build sustainable digital accessibility, because accessibility isn’t just law, it’s leadership.

Abstract

On April 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice published a final rule requiring state and local governments, and the vendors who serve them, to meet WCAG 2.1 A/AA for digital content. While the rule sets clear accessibility expectations, it also includes some practical exclusions: five narrowly defined exceptions, provisions for conforming alternate versions, and a limited safe harbor for existing content.

But don’t be fooled, these aren’t loopholes. This session will give you the clarity and confidence to use these exceptions the right way, helping you avoid wasted effort, legal missteps, and common misconceptions.

You’ll learn:

  • What each exception covers—and what it doesn’t
  • The strict conditions for using a conforming alternate version (and why many fail)
  • How the DOJ defines “minor accessibility issues” under the safe harbor clause
  • Practical examples of where to prioritize full conformance—and where exceptions can be safely applied

You’ll walk away with a strategy to manage your compliance obligations efficiently, without compromising user experience or legal standing. Whether you're managing digital content, vendor contracts, or accessibility programs, this session helps you turn the fine print into smart decisions.

Keypoints

  1. How to use ADA Title II’s five exceptions strategically and responsibly
  2. What makes an alternate version truly “conforming” under the DOJ rule
  3. When safe harbor applies, and how to avoid misuse of “minor issues”

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Accessibility and Accommodation in the Current Political/Legal Environment, Legal, Uncategorized

Speaker Bio(s)

Glenda Sims

Glenda Sims (the goodwitch of a11y) serves as the Chief Information Accessibility Officer at Deque, where she leads initiatives to make digital equality a reality. She co-founded axe-con, the world’s largest digital accessibility conference (and it’s free!), bringing together thousands of experts and advocates from around the globe.

Glenda is passionate about giving back to the accessibility community. She is an active contributor to WCAG 3.0 through her work with the W3C Accessibility Guidelines Working Group, shaping the future of accessibility standards. A strong believer in the power of professional certification, Glenda was part of the team that created IAAP’s CPACC to support and inspire new voices in this meaningful field. She now serves on the IAAP Innovations Steering Committee, always pushing accessibility forward with vision, collaboration, and a touch of magic.

Handout(s)