With more than 1 in 4 adults reporting a disability — a total of 28.7 percent of Americans — a report Thursday from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), Beyond Compliance: The Economic Case for Digital Accessibility, encourages governments to look at the various ways accessibility enhances what they do. States that fix the accessibility gap don’t just serve their residents but also manage legal risks and costs and drive economic growth, the report found.
Legally speaking, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuits are a factor for consideration, the NASCIO report authors wrote, and they average a cost of $350,000. Last year, 4,000 such lawsuits were filed across the U.S., and their associated costs can include damage to reputation and remediation, according to the report, which cited several state-level examples including one in Louisiana. Lawsuits often take years to resolve, creating financial and administrative burdens.
Inaccessible systems, the report noted, can directly affect state and local revenue collection. Specifically, the organization cited a report that state and local governments collected 14 percent of general revenue charges in 2021, with states collecting the most from education, hospitals and highways. Meanwhile, local governments raise fees via hospitals, sewage fees, air transportation, solid waste, and parks and recreation.
Accessibility is also framed by health data and federal mandates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that disabilities are often related to cognition, mobility, vision or hearing, among other issues. The U.S. Department of Justice in 2024 signed its final rule under Title II of the ADA, setting forth the obligations state and local governments have in making websites and mobile applications accessible. States are required to make all digital products and services accessible to people with disabilities by April 2026.
The report urges state CIOs and technology leaders to take a comprehensive approach: make accessibility a core pillar of digital strategy, embed it into procurement processes, invest in staff training and hold leadership accountable through measurable key performance indicators. Agencies are also encouraged to partner with advocacy groups and peers to co-design solutions, and to publicize success stories that build momentum and credibility for future investment.
Accessibility, the report concluded, is both a compliance requirement and a practical strategy. Accessible digital services help governments meet ADA obligations while also improving efficiency, lowering costs, and ensuring all residents can fully engage with essential public services.
