Modernization is one of the most overused words in technology.

It can mean replacing a legacy application. It can mean moving to the cloud. It can mean improving user experience, automating manual workflows, integrating disconnected systems, strengthening security, or changing how teams deliver services.

That extension matters, but it does not erase the requirement. The 2024 rule still establishes WCAG 2.1, Level AA as the technical standard for web content and mobile apps provided or made available by state and local governments. The DOJ has also made clear that public entities remain responsible for accessibility obligations even when digital services are provided through contractors, licensing arrangements, or third-party vendors.

Digital equity helps to ensure all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy. Meanwhile, accessibility refers to the practice of ensuring that products, services, information, and technologies are designed and implemented in a way that allows all individuals to access and use them with equal ease and effectiveness. It involves removing obstacles and providing accommodations to ensure inclusivity, making sure that everyone, regardless of their situation or abilities, can participate fully and independently in our digital world.