Please be advised that all public safety agencies that cover jurisdictions with 50K or more citizens must ensure their digital properties (websites) meet federally required WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards by April 24, 2026. Those that cover less than 50K citizens must be compliant by April 24, 2027.
All agencies currently using the OPS Network Community Interface platform are compliant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA and have received instruction regarding the same.
Non-OPS Network Agencies
Agencies currently relying on the below type of platforms for public facing websites are strongly advised to inquire and explore how to ensure full compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards by April 24, 2026, regardless of jurisdictional size.
- Older websites
- In-house designed/built platforms
- City or county-managed pages
- Privately hosted or independently maintained websites
After the federal deadline passes, non-compliant digital properties (websites) are subject to regulatory enforcement actions, accessibility complaints, and potential legal exposure under ADA requirements, which can result in significant financial and operational impact. Sanctions can exceed $100,000.00 per violation.
Why This Matters for Public Safety Agencies
While these ADA regulations apply to all government entities, public safety organizations operate under heightened expectations for digital accessibility and equitable access to services and information.
Agencies must take measures to ensure their websites and public platforms meet the following. This is not an OPTION but the LAW.
- Operate within the required WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines
- Ensure all new and updated content is built and deployed using accessible design and development standards from the start
- Provide staff training on accessibility requirements and accessible content creation
- Maintain a documented accessibility policy and remediation plan demonstrating good-faith compliance efforts
- Ensure compliance alignment with applicable NJAOG (Attorney General) guidance and enforcement expectations
Digital accessibility lawsuits can name multiple related public entities—not just the individual agency with the deficient website. When a local law enforcement agency is not WCAG 2.1 AA compliant, plaintiffs’ attorneys may include other agencies such as state, county and local government or Prosecutor’s Offices in litigation based on supervisory or coordinating authority theories, increasing legal exposure, defense costs, and administrative burden even where direct operational control over the website is limited.
If anyone has any questions or require further guidance, please feel free to contact the OPS support team at support@opspolice.com or via phone at 833-677-2677.
Thank you for your attention to this important compliance update and for your continued commitment to accessible public safety communication.
Best regards,
OPS Support Team
**We strongly encourage public safety agencies to explore ways to take control of thier online presence and content, rather than fully relying on city/county managed web pages or traditonal website vendors. Many of these entities and platforms are not held to the same level of scrutiny, accountability, or regulatory standards and often do not fully understand the ever evolving operational, legal, and accessibility requirements of public safety agencies.**