The ADA Title II rule is here. State and local governments must bring their web mapping applications into WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance and maps are one of the hardest digital assets to remediate.
With the April 24, 2026 deadline approaching, ADA Title II updates requiring WCAG 2.1 compliance for jurisdictions serving populations of 50,000 or more are no longer optional. They represent a clear, enforceable expectation that digital services, including maps, dashboards, and web applications, must be accessible to all users.
Most GIS-driven applications were not designed with accessibility in mind. And this is where the risk becomes real. For many public agencies, accessibility has long been on the “we’ll get to it” list. That window is closing.
The Reality Many Organizations Are Facing
As a result, many organizations are operating with:
- Public-facing applications that are not accessibility compliant
- Unknown accessibility gaps across dozens, or even hundreds of maps
- Increased exposure to complaints, audits, or legal action
- Internal teams unsure where to begin or how to prioritize fixes
The challenge is not just compliance, it’s visibility.
You cannot fix what you cannot see, and most organizations do not yet have a clear understanding of where accessibility risks exist across their GIS ecosystem.
For ADA Compliance, Clarity is The First Step
The ADA Title II mandate is approaching quickly, and the organizations that act now will be far better positioned than those who wait. If you are unsure where your GIS applications stand today, that uncertainty is the risk. Blue Raster’s Accessibility Assessment & Compliance Package is designed to remove that uncertainty and give your organization a clear path forward.
Blue Raster's ADA & Accessibility Compliance Package
We begin by working with your team to:
- Inventory your existing GIS assets, including maps, dashboards, and applications.
- Understand how those applications are used by both the public and internal stakeholders.
- Identify high-risk or high-visibility applications that should be prioritized.
- Evaluate accessibility gaps using a combination of automated tools and expert review.
- Provide clear, actionable recommendations aligned with WCAG 2.1 standards.
Discovery and Inventory
- Map and application inventory
- Identification of priority applications (up to 5)*
* Additional maps and applications can be included based on your organization's needs
- Stakeholder interviews
- Usage analysis
Accessibility Evaluation
- Automated accessibility scan
- Manual audit
- Component level review
- Color contrast testing
User Experience and Interaction Review
- Keyboard testing
- Screen reader test
- Focus order and interaction validation
Compliance Review
- WCAG 2.1 Level AA gap mapping
- Section 508 alignment
- ADA Title II applicability review
Prioritization and Road Map
- Risk ranking and priority tiers
- Effort estimation
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Your Return on Investment
The outcome is not a generic checklist. It’s a focused, prioritized roadmap that helps your organization understand:
- What is compliant
- What is not
- What matters most to fix first
- What level of effort is required to move forward
Why Organizations Trust Blue Raster for Accessible GIS & ADA Compliance
Accessibility in GIS is not just about checking boxes, it requires a deep understanding of how geospatial systems, user experience design, and accessibility standards intersect.
That’s where Blue Raster stands apart.
For over 20 years, Blue Raster has helped public agencies, utilities, and organizations design and deliver GIS solutions that are not only functional but usable and inclusive. Our team brings together GIS technologists, developers, and UX/UI specialists who understand both the Esri ecosystem and the real-world demands of accessibility compliance.
We integrate accessibility directly into:
- ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise implementations
- Experience Builder and dashboard design
- Custom JavaScript applications
- Data collection workflows and reporting tools
Our work aligns with:
- ADA Title II requirements
- WCAG 2.1 standards
- Section 508 guidelines
- IAAP-informed best practices
We don’t treat accessibility as a final step or a separate effort. We build it into the system from the beginning, helping organizations reduce risk, improve usability, and deliver better outcomes for all users.
Take the First Step Today
Accessibility requirements are here and the organizations that act early will be better prepared to meet them. If you’re unsure where to begin, start with clarity.