Executive Summary
In 2024, the State of Michigan launched a transformative enterprise initiative to ensure that every public-facing website and mobile application complies with the U.S. Department of Justice’s revised ADA Title II regulations, which formally establish WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the technical standard for state and local governments, with full compliance required by April 24, 2026 (now 2027). Led by a cross-functional Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) team, the effort spans hundreds of digital services used by over 10 million residents. It combines centralized funding, specialized staffing, automated and manual testing, policy updates, and integrated governance to accelerate remediation and prevent future accessibility debt.
Michigan proactively began testing against WCAG 2.1 AA in January 2024 to provide feedback to development teams prior to the policy change. In May of 2024, Michigan adopted WCAG 2.1 AA as the statewide standard – aligning enterprise policy and digital standards with federal requirements. With a $3 million dollar work project and a multi-year roadmap, Michigan is modernizing digital services to deliver equitable, reliable access – particularly for the more than 2.3 million residents with disabilities, while reducing legal exposure and strengthening trust in government.
Michigan’s digital accessibility transformation also included a strong investment in statewide workforce training and crossagency coordination. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) has expanded digital accessibility training for all employees; covering accessible content creation, inclusive design practices, assistive technology awareness, and accessibility responsibilities under ADA Title II. In parallel, the state created a statewide Digital Accessibility Agency Liaison (DAAL) network and designated accessibility leads embedded in agencies to operationalize compliance, coordinate remediation, and serve as accessibility champions. Together, these elements ensure Michigan not only meets the updated ADA Title II requirements but institutionalizes accessibility as a core public service value.
