State Law Summary
Arkansas Has a State Accessibility Law for Government Technology
Arkansas passed Act 1227 of 1999, sometimes referred to as the Arkansas Technology Access for the Blind Law.
The law requires that:
- Arkansas government technology systems must be accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired.
- The rule applies to information technology products and services, including websites and internet-based information.
Examples of covered systems include:
- state government websites
- digital services offered by state agencies
- online forms and information portals
- other internet-based information dissemination systems.
In practice, the law means that Arkansas government websites must provide equal access, such as text alternatives for images and accessible digital content.
Website Compliance Rules
Arkansas Government Accessibility Standards
Arkansas agencies follow technical standards developed by the Arkansas Department of Information Systems (DIS).
These standards generally require:
- text equivalents for images, video, and multimedia
- accessible navigation and structure
- compatibility with screen readers and assistive technologies.
Many Arkansas agencies also align their sites with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to meet accessibility expectations.
These requirements apply to:
- state departments
- government agencies
- state-funded organizations
- public educational institutions.
Damages & Penalties
Federal ADA Rules Still Apply
Like every other state, Arkansas must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Title II – Government Websites
State and local government websites must provide accessible digital services.
Under a 2024 federal rule, government websites and mobile apps must meet:
- WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards
- compliance deadlines around April 2026 for larger governments.
This applies to:
- state agency websites
- city and county websites
- public school websites
- government digital services.
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