Question 1

Executive summary: what you need to know right now

Accepted Answer

Feeling overwhelmed? Start here.  You don't need to understand everything to begin making progress. Last updated: March 10, 2026 What you need to know right now: The deadline is real:  April 24, 2026. Illinois state agencies must make all public-facing digital content accessible to people with disab...

Question 2

For Content Creators

Accepted Answer

What accessibility means for you:  Every document, image, and video you create should be usable by people with disabilities. This means adding alt text so screen reader users can understand images, using proper heading styles so documents are navigable, and ensuring videos have captions. You're on t...

Question 3

For Web Developers

Accepted Answer

What accessibility means for you:  You build the foundation that makes all digital content accessible or inaccessible. Semantic HTML, keyboard navigation, color contrast, and ARIA labels aren't optional extras — they're core requirements of your work. Your technical expertise directly determines whe...

Question 4

For Managers

Accepted Answer

What accessibility means for you:  You control the resources, time, and priorities that determine whether your team can create accessible content. Your decisions about training, tools, deadlines, and accountability directly impact your agency's legal compliance. You're responsible for ensuring your ...

Question 5

Why should I trust this FAQ if it wasn't created by agency leadership or official accessibility experts?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  This FAQ is based on official sources — Illinois DoIT guidance, federal ADA regulations, and W3C standards — not personal opinion. The content's authority comes from the sources it cites, not the person who compiled it. Full explanation: This is a reasonable question. You may be wonde...

Question 6

I'm already busy. Why should accessibility be a priority when I have other responsibilities?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  Accessibility helps ensure that the people we serve can actually use the services and information we provide. For agencies committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), accessible content is part of how we put those values into practice. Full explanation: This i...

Question 7

What is digital accessibility?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  Digital accessibility means everyone can use your digital content — websites, documents, videos, apps — regardless of disability. It encompasses both  websites  (HTML pages, web applications, interactive elements) and  content  (documents, PDFs, videos, images, presentations, social m...

Question 8

How does digital accessibility and compliance fit into an agency's DEIA mission?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:   Accessibility is the "A" in DEIA  — it's how we deliver  equitable access  to services and information by  removing systemic barriers  in our digital work. It's backed by  accountability  through enforceable law (IITAA + ADA Title II) and a  measurable standard  ( WCAG 2.1 Level AA )...

Question 9

I'm a content creator. Where do I start?

Accepted Answer

Your role is crucial — you're the first line of accessibility.  When possible, publish as webpage text (HTML) rather than PDFs — HTML is easier to keep accessible. Essential skills: Alt text for images  — Describe what's in every image Use heading styles  — Use Heading 1, 2, 3 styles, not just bold ...

Question 10

How should I track my accessibility fixes as a content creator?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  Keep it simple — use whatever tool you already use for tracking work. A shared spreadsheet, a note in your existing task system, or even a running document is fine. The goal is consistency, not complexity. Track what you fixed, when, and what's left. Full explanation: You don't need s...

Question 11

I'm a web developer. Where do I start?

Accepted Answer

You're building the foundation. Here's your priority roadmap: Week 1 (do these first): Keyboard navigation — Everything works without a mouse: WebAIM: Keyboard Semantic HTML — Use

Question 12

I'm a manager. Where do I start?

Accepted Answer

Your role:  Create the organizational conditions for success — set priorities, allocate resources, and establish accountability. Quick checklist: Name an owner  for accessibility work and reporting Inventory public content  (sites, PDFs, videos, social, vendor tools) Prioritize by impact  (high-traf...

Question 13

I'm on executive staff. Where do I start?

Accepted Answer

As executive staff, your role is to make accessibility achievable at scale.  You don't need to be the technical expert; you need to ensure there is clear ownership, adequate resourcing, enforceable process, and consistent reporting through April 2026 and beyond. Executive quick checklist (start here...

Question 14

What exactly am I accountable for as a manager (vs. what my team is accountable for)?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  You're accountable for  making accessibility possible and expected : ownership, priorities, time/tools/training, and accountability. Your team is accountable for  creating and maintaining accessible content and systems  in their day-to-day work. Manager accountabilities (what you cont...

Question 15

How can I track and demonstrate "good-faith progress" toward compliance?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  Maintain a clear inventory, a prioritized backlog, and evidence of steady progress (what was fixed, when, and what's next). However, based on ADA Title II and IITAA requirements,  documentation of effort is not the same as meeting the compliance standard . What do the regulations say ...

Question 16

Who signs off that we're compliant? Can we "certify" WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  There is no single official "WCAG certificate" you can buy that guarantees compliance.  Compliance is demonstrated by meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA success criteria across the defined scope of your digital content.  If you choose to make a formal statement, WCAG defines how to make a  con...

Question 17

Why does accessibility compliance require everyone's participation?

Accepted Answer

Because web developers can only fix technical issues — they can't fix content. While web developers handle technical implementation (code structure, keyboard navigation, ARIA attributes that help screen readers understand interactive elements), they  cannot  fix content created by others. Achieving ...

Question 18

I'm already overloaded — how am I supposed to add accessibility to my workload?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  Accessibility isn't additional work on top of your job — it's a change in  how  you do work you're already doing. Creating an accessible document takes only a few extra minutes once you know the basics. Full explanation: Everyone is busy, and "one more thing" feels impossible. However...

Question 19

Who's going to notice if we're not compliant by April 24, 2026?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  Non-compliance is likely to be discovered through multiple channels: agency audits, automated website scans, content reviews, individual complaints, and enforcement actions. While violations might not be identified immediately, accessibility compliance is actively monitored. Non-compl...

Question 20

Given the uncertainty around enforcement, can we tell staff to continue with their current workflows for now?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  No. While enforcement details may still be evolving, the legal requirements are clear: WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance is required by April 24, 2026, under both ADA Title II and Illinois IITAA. Directing staff to ignore accessibility requirements exposes the agency to legal risk and crea...

Question 21

What is WCAG?

Accepted Answer

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)  are international standards that explain how to make digital content accessible to people with disabilities. Think of them as a detailed checklist for making websites, documents, and apps usable by everyone. WCAG is organized around four principles, known...

Question 22

What does "WCAG 2.1 Level AA" mean?

Accepted Answer

WCAG has three conformance levels: Level A  — Minimum accessibility (required to meet). Level AA  — Standard accessibility ←  Required for Illinois agencies under both IITAA and ADA Title II . Level AAA  — Enhanced accessibility (may meet where feasible). Illinois requires Level AA conformance, whic...

Question 23

What are the most common accessibility mistakes and issues to avoid?

Accepted Answer

What does "SC" mean?  SC stands for  Success Criterion  — the specific, testable requirements within WCAG. Each SC has a number (like 1.1.1) and a conformance level (A, AA, or AAA). You can look up any SC at the  WCAG 2.1 Quick Reference . Quick answer:  Most accessibility issues come from a small s...

Question 24

Do we need an agency accessibility coordinator?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  Yes. The coordinator should be in an executive, compliance, or management role — not a web developer or content creator. Practitioners are busy doing compliance work and typically lack organizational authority for policy and resource decisions. Why practitioners can't be the coordinat...

Question 25

Why does your agency need to worry about digital accessibility? What does the April 2026 deadline mean?

Accepted Answer

Illinois state agencies are subject to both state and federal accessibility requirements (IITAA and ADA Title II).  According to the ADA Title II web rule (28 CFR Part 35) and IITAA 2.1 standards, the compliance deadline is April 24, 2026 for public entities serving populations of 50,000 or more — w...

Question 26

What happens after April 24, 2026?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  After April 24, 2026, all public-facing digital content from state and local governments must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. Agencies that don't comply risk DOJ investigations, lawsuits, legal costs, and — most importantly — excluding people with disabilities from accessing governm...

Question 27

Why are we just hearing about this now?

Accepted Answer

This is a common question.  Here are the facts: The regulatory landscape changed in 2024: April 2024:  The U.S. Department of Justice published the ADA Title II web rule — the first time federal law specified a technical standard (WCAG 2.1 Level AA) with a firm compliance deadline. June 2024:  Illin...

Question 28

After April 24, 2026, how do we maintain compliance (so we don't fall out of compliance again)?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  Treat accessibility like  security and privacy : it’s not a one-time remediation project. Maintaining compliance means building accessibility into  every publish/purchase/build workflow , continuously testing, fixing regressions, and keeping documentation current. Full explanation: Af...

Question 29

What if we can't meet the April 24, 2026 deadline?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  The deadline is firm — there's no routine extension process. If full compliance isn't achievable, prioritize high-impact content, document your plan, and keep making progress. What to do: Prioritize by impact  — High-traffic pages, critical services, and complete blockers first Docume...

Question 30

Are there exceptions to the April 2026 deadline? What qualifies?

Accepted Answer

⚠️ CRITICAL: This is the most commonly misunderstood aspect of the ADA Title II web rule.  Many agencies assume that documents created before April 24, 2026 are automatically exempt.  This is incorrect.  The exceptions are narrowly defined, strictly interpreted, and most content actively linked from...

Question 31

How do we prioritize accessibility work with limited resources and a ticking clock?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  Focus on highest-impact content first. Don't fix everything at once — remove the biggest barriers first. Important context:  ICJIA's public websites are already being remediated by the web team. The priority now is ensuring  content creators understand and fix their content  — documen...

Question 32

What's the bare minimum we need to do by April 2026?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  According to ADA Title II and IITAA, the standard is WCAG 2.1 Level AA — there's no "partial compliance" option defined in the regulations. But if you're overwhelmed: make new content accessible now, fix highest-impact barriers first, document your plan. Minimum viable approach: Stop ...

Question 33

What is the IITAA?

Accepted Answer

The IITAA (Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act)  requires Illinois agencies and universities to ensure that their websites, information systems, and information technologies are accessible to people with disabilities. The current IITAA 2.1 Standards (effective June 24, 2024) require co...

Question 34

Who must comply with the IITAA?

Accepted Answer

The IITAA applies to: Executive, legislative, and judicial branches of Illinois state government All state departments, divisions, and agencies Constitutional offices Public universities The IITAA does  not  directly apply to: Local governments School districts Community colleges Private organizatio...

Question 35

How is the IITAA enforced?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  The IITAA is implemented through Illinois DoIT standards, oversight, and agency compliance processes. It is separate from (and in addition to) ADA Title II. Key differences from ADA Title II enforcement: Aspect IITAA (State) ADA Title II (Federal) Primary oversight Illinois DoIT Offic...

Question 36

What does the IITAA cover?

Accepted Answer

The IITAA covers all "information and communication technology," including: Websites and web applications Software and desktop applications Mobile applications Electronic documents (PDFs, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Multimedia (video and audio) Information kiosks Hardware with user interfaces See also:...

Question 37

When did the current IITAA standards take effect?

Accepted Answer

IITAA 1.0  — August 20, 2008 (original standards). IITAA 2.0  — January 18, 2018 (aligned with WCAG 2.0 AA). IITAA 2.1  — June 24, 2024 (aligned with WCAG 2.1 Level AA). References: IITAA 2.1 Update (DoIT)  — Effective date and what changed IITAA (Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act)  ...

Question 38

Where can I get IITAA training?

Accepted Answer

The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) Office of Information Accessibility provides free training for state agencies, including: Introduction to Accessibility (2-hour overview) Accessible Word Documents (half-day hands-on lab) Accessible PDF Documents Accessible PowerPoint Present...

Question 39

Who do I contact with IITAA questions?

Accepted Answer

For questions or comments about information technology accessibility or the IITAA: Email:   DoIT.Accessibility@Illinois.gov Phone: Springfield: 217-524-3648 Chicago: 312-814-3648 TTY: 866-277-5669

Question 40

What is the ADA Title II digital accessibility rule?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  On April 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice published a  final rule  requiring state and local governments to make public-facing web content and mobile apps meet  WCAG 2.1 Level AA  by April 24, 2026 (for entities serving 50,000+ population). What Title II covers (vs. Title I): ...

Question 41

When must we comply with the ADA Title II rule?

Accepted Answer

Entity Size Compliance Deadline Entities serving populations of 50,000 or more April 24, 2026 Entities serving populations under 50,000 April 26, 2027 For most Illinois state agencies, the deadline is  April 24, 2026  (since Illinois has over 12 million residents). References: Federal sources: ADA T...

Question 42

What does the April 2026 deadline cover?

Accepted Answer

Everything digital and public-facing.  The deadline applies to all public-facing digital content, not just websites: Websites and web applications  — All pages and interactive features. Documents  — PDFs, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations. Multimedia  — Videos (must have c...

Question 43

Does ADA Title II apply to internal documents?

Accepted Answer

No, the ADA Title II web rule does not directly apply to purely internal content.  The rule specifically covers "services, programs, and activities provided or made available" to the public. What is considered "internal" vs. "public-facing"? Internal documents/content  typically includes: Employee-o...

Question 44

How do I test my website for accessibility?

Accepted Answer

Why this matters:  Automated tools catch many issues quickly, but they can't detect everything. Manual testing with keyboard navigation and screen readers reveals barriers that automated tools miss — and these barriers can prevent people with disabilities from using your website entirely. Use a comb...

Question 45

Do we need an independent (external) accessibility audit to prove compliance? When is it worth it?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  An external audit is  not the only way  to validate accessibility, but it can be worth it for  high-risk, high-visibility services  or when you need  independent evidence . Regardless of who does it,  no automated tool alone can determine conformance  — knowledgeable human evaluation ...

Question 46

Can’t we just use an accessibility overlay/widget (a “one-click fix”) instead of doing remediation?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  No. Overlays/widgets can add UI features, but they  do not reliably make a site conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA  because accessibility issues usually require  fixing the underlying code and content . Also,  conformance cannot be validated by automation alone . Why overlays don’t solve co...

Question 47

What WCAG requirements are commonly overlooked?

Accepted Answer

Beyond the most common issues (alt text, color contrast, headings), these WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements are frequently missed during accessibility reviews.  Note:  WCAG applies to websites, documents (PDFs, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), videos, and third-party tools — not just websites. What does "SC" ...

Question 48

What color contrast ratio is required?

Accepted Answer

Note:  "SC" = Success Criterion. Look up any SC number at the  WCAG 2.1 Quick Reference . For WCAG 2.1 Level AA: Normal text  (smaller than 18pt/~24px regular or 14pt/~19px bold):  4.5:1  contrast ratio. Large text  (18pt/~24px+ regular or 14pt/~19px+ bold):  3:1  contrast ratio. UI components and g...

Question 49

What are focus indicators and why do they matter?

Accepted Answer

Note:  "SC" = Success Criterion. Look up any SC number at the  WCAG 2.1 Quick Reference . Quick answer:  Focus indicators are the visible outlines or highlights that show which element currently has keyboard focus. WCAG 2.1 Level AA requires that focus is visible ( Success Criterion (SC) 2.4.7 - Lev...

Question 50

Do I need to caption all videos?

Accepted Answer

Note:  "SC" = Success Criterion. Look up any SC number at the  WCAG 2.1 Quick Reference . Quick answer:  Yes, for WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance: Pre-recorded video with audio  — Requires synchronized captions ( SC 1.2.2 - Level A ). Live video with audio  — Requires live captions ( SC 1.2.4 - Level A...

Question 51

What about cognitive accessibility and plain language?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  WCAG 2.1 Level AA includes several requirements that support cognitive accessibility: readable text, predictable navigation, error prevention, and sufficient time. Beyond WCAG compliance, plain language principles help make content accessible to users with cognitive disabilities, lear...

Question 52

How do I make forms accessible?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  Every form field needs a visible label that is programmatically associated with the field, error messages must be clear and specific, and users must be able to navigate and complete the form using only a keyboard. Critical elements of accessible forms: 1. Labels and Instructions Every...

Question 53

How do I make mobile apps accessible?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  Mobile apps must meet the same WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards as websites. This includes proper labeling, keyboard/gesture navigation, sufficient color contrast, and compatibility with mobile screen readers (VoiceOver on iOS, TalkBack on Android). Full explanation: Mobile apps provided t...

Question 54

Does our agency's password-protected intranet need to be accessible?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  Password-protected intranet sites for employees only are generally  not covered by the ADA Title II web rule's WCAG requirement  (because the rule focuses on content made available to the public). However, they  may still need to be accessible under Illinois state law (IITAA), ADA Tit...

Question 55

What about archived documents on the intranet?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  Truly archived documents that are no longer used may not need proactive remediation, but you may still need to provide access in an alternative format if an employee with a disability needs them (typically handled through reasonable accommodation processes). Note: This section address...

Question 56

My documents look fine — why do they need to be "accessible"?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  "Looking fine" means you can see the content visually. "Accessible" means people using screen readers, keyboard navigation, or other assistive technologies can also use the content — and that requires specific structure that's invisible to you but essential for them. Full explanation:...

Question 57

What about photos your agency takes at events — like speeches or awards ceremonies? Do those need to be accessible?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you're sharing them digitally.  Any photos published on your agency's website, social media, or in digital documents need alt text (alternative text) that describes the image for people who can't see it. What is alt text? Alt text is a brief written description of an image that screen reader...

Question 58

How long should alt text be?

Accepted Answer

Best practice: Keep alt text concise—aim for 1-2 sentences in most cases.  The commonly cited "125 character limit" isn't a technical requirement (modern screen readers handle longer text just fine), but brevity helps users process information quickly. Ideal:  Concise and scannable (roughly 15-25 wo...

Question 59

How do I handle complex images like charts, graphs, or infographics?

Accepted Answer

Some images — like charts, graphs, infographics, or images containing lots of text — need more than a brief alt text. Here's how to handle them: For charts and graphs with data: Alt text:  Provide a brief summary of what the chart shows (e.g., "Bar chart showing Illinois crime rates declining 15% fr...

Question 60

How do I make images accessible on social media, Constant Contact, or Canva?

Accepted Answer

Sharing infographics, charts, or images with text on platforms like social media, Constant Contact, or Canva presents unique challenges because you often can't add data tables or long descriptions directly. Social media (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn): Alt text limits vary  — Most platfor...

Question 61

Who should write the alt text for photos?

Accepted Answer

Ideally, the person supplying the photo should also supply the alt text.  They know what's happening in the image, who's pictured, and why it matters. If you're submitting photos for the website, a newsletter, or social media, include alt text with your submission. You were there  — You know the con...

Question 62

Are captions the same as alt text?

Accepted Answer

No — captions and alt text serve different purposes and both may be needed.  Caption Alt Text Visibility Visible to everyone on the page Hidden; only read by screen readers or shown if image fails to load Purpose Provides context, credits, or additional information Describes the image for people who...

Question 63

Do all documents need to be accessible?

Accepted Answer

Quick answer:  For public-facing documents, yes — with limited exceptions. Under both IITAA and ADA Title II, conventional electronic documents must be accessible.  Public-facing  documents created or published after April 24, 2026 must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA under the ADA Title II web rule.  Intern...

Question 64

How do I make a Word document accessible?

Accepted Answer

Step-by-step workflow for creating an accessible Word document: Visual example: Accessible document structure Document Title (Heading 1)
├── Introduction (Heading 2)
│   └── Paragraph text with proper formatting
├── Main Content Section (Heading 2)
│   ├── Subsection A (Heading 3)
│   │   ├── Bullet...

About These FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Start (Read this first)

Quick Reference: Critical Actions By Role

Understanding Accessibility

Getting Started

Common Concerns

State Agency Applicability

Compliance Requirements (IITAA and ADA Title II)

Website Accessibility

Content Accessibility (Documents, PDFs, Presentations)

Procurement and Third-Party Tools

ICJIA-Specific Information

Getting Help

Glossary

Keyword Index