Accessibility

Digital Accessibility Policy - City of Evanston

I. Our Goal

The City is committed to providing online services that are accessible to all, regardless of technology or ability. Our goal is to deliver an online experience that achieves “Level AA” conformance according to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines v2.1 Level AA (WCAG 2.1 AA) across our web content and mobile applications, as is required by the Department of Justice’s final rule updating Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Our efforts to improve our digital resources’ accessibility are ongoing. If you use assistive technology (such as a Braille reader, screen reader, or TTY) and the format of any material on our digital platforms interferes with your ability to access information, please contact the ADA Coordinator.

II. Digital Accessibility Focus Areas

Our website accessibility efforts align with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) principles of digital accessibility, ensuring an improved experience for all users across our web content and mobile applications. We strive to ensure information is: 

• Perceivable: content must be accessible through different senses, such as vision and hearing, with options for users to customize their experience
• Operable: content must be able to be accessed using various methods such as keyboard and voice use, and must be navigable
• Understandable: content must be clear, concise, predictable and consistent
• Robust: content must work with a variety of assistive technologies, browsers, and devices, and is able to adapt to changes in user needs

III. Policy Statement  

1. The City strives to ensure that new and redesigned web content and mobile applications published after the effective date of this policy conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance, with the exception of content specifically excluded from this policy.  
2. The City is committed to bringing existing digital content published prior to the effective date of this policy into  conformance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance or to the maximum extent feasible, with the exception of content specifically excluded from this policy. 
3. Digital accessibility for vendors: The City requires that all applicable web content, mobile applications, and electronic documents provided by our vendor partners meet WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, and continues to maintain compliance with federal ADA requirements for local government platforms. 
4. If the City receives a request from an individual who is unable to access web content or mobile applications for reasons of a disability, the City will work diligently to either update the requested content to the required standards, or make the content available in an alternative format, in accordance with this Policy.

IV. Content Exclusions

Per ADA Title II, the following types of content are excluded from WCAG 2.1 AA compliance requirements:

Archived Web Content

Content that meets ALL four criteria:

• Created before April 24, 2026, OR reproduces pre-compliance physical documents
• Kept only for reference, research, or recordkeeping purposes
• Stored in a designated archive section
• Has not been modified since archived

Pre-existing Conventional Electronic Documents

Word processing, presentation, PDF, or spreadsheet files that were available on our web content or mobile applications before April 24, 2026, EXCEPT documents currently used for applying to, accessing, or participating in City services, programs, or activities.

Third-Party Generated Content

Content posted by members of the public on City platforms, such as public comments on message boards. 

Password-Protected Individualized Documents

Documents that are ALL of the following:

• Word processing, presentation, PDF, or spreadsheet format
• About a specific person, property, or account
• Password-protected or otherwise secured

Pre-existing Social Media Posts

Social media posts made before April 24, 2026.

V. Alternative Format and Accommodation Requests

If you encounter barriers accessing our web content or mobile applications due to a disability, we are committed to providing alternative formats or other accommodations to ensure equal access to City services and information.

To request an alternative format (such as accessible PDFs, audio versions, large print, or other formats) or other accommodations for web content or mobile applications, please complete an ADA/Disability Service Request through the City's 311 Center and contact the Inclusion & Accessibility Division Manager/ADA Coordinator as soon as possible. For time-sensitive requests related to scheduled events or deadlines, please contact us no later than seven days in advance.

The City may not take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the City. The City will not place a surcharge on an individual with a disability or group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids and services or reasonable modifications of policy and procedures.

All questions and suggestions for improvement are always welcome. For more information or to request an accommodation, please contact:

Lauren Ruiz, CTRS, ADAC (She, Her, Hers)
Inclusion & Accessibility Division Manager/ADA Coordinator
Email: disabilityservices@cityofevanston.org
Accommodation request phone: 847-866-2919
ADA Coordinator direct phone: 847-424-5496

VI. Staff Responsibilities & Training

Digital accessibility is a shared responsibility across all City departments and staff. To ensure that our online services remain accessible to all:

• Accessible Content Creation: All staff are expected to use available training, tools, and resources to produce digital content that conforms to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
• Accommodation Requests: Departments are responsible for remediating or providing accessible versions of the content they originally created when accommodation requests are received.
• Training Commitment: The City will provide ongoing accessibility training and resources to staff. Employees are expected to participate in training sessions and apply accessibility best practices consistently in their work.
• Continuous Improvement: Staff are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions to improve accessibility practices and resources.

VII. Implementation and Compliance

This policy applies to web content and mobile applications provided by the City, consistent with the Department of Justice's ADA Title II ruling update effective June 24, 2024. This includes all City websites, mobile apps, and digital content used to provide City services, programs, and activities. Implementation will be supported by supplemental requirements for vendors and staff training procedures.

The City is committed to ongoing monitoring, testing, and continuous improvement of digital accessibility. We recognize that digital accessibility is an evolving field, and we strive to stay current with best practices and emerging technologies. Regular assessments will be conducted to ensure we are progressing toward our accessibility goals and to identify areas for enhancement.

This policy is effective as of January 20, 2026, and will be reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with current accessibility standards and best practices.