HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2026-043Resolution No. 2026-043
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California,
Adopting a Digital Accessibility Policy
Whereas, the City of Palm Desert is committed to providing equal access to City
programs, services, activities, communications, and information for all members of the
public, including individuals with disabilities; and
Whereas, the City conducts public business through websites, mobile
applications, digital documents, multimedia, social media, third -party platforms, and
other information and communication technology; and
Whereas, federal and state laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act
and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, establish accessibility requirements applicable to
public agency programs, services, activities, and digital content; and
Whereas, the policy attached as Exhibit A establishes the City’s procedures
regarding digital accessibility and retention of records; and
Whereas, the City Council desires to adopt a policy establishing expectations for
City staff, elected and appointed officials, volunteers, contractors, consultants, and other
authorized users regarding accessible digital content and technology.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert,
California, does hereby resolve as follows:
Section 1. Adoption.
The City Council hereby adopts the Digital Accessibility Policy attached as Exhibit A and
incorporated by this reference.
Section 2. Citywide Application.
The policy shall apply to all City employees, elected and appointed officials, volunteers,
and third-party consultants, contractors, agents, or representatives conducting business
on behalf of the City.
Section 3. Administration.
The City Manager, or designee, is authorized to administer and implement the policy in
coordination with applicable City departments and the City Attorney’s Office.
Section 4. Effective Date.
This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
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Adopted on July 9, 2026.
__________________________
Evan Trubee
Mayor
Attest:
__________________________
Anthony J. Mejia
City Clerk
I, Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 2026-043 is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a
regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert on July 9, 2026, by the
following vote:
Ayes: Harnik, Moreno, Nestande, Pradetto, and Trubee
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Recused: None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of
the City of Palm Desert, California, on ___________________.
__________________________
Anthony J. Mejia
City Clerk
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Exhibit A
CITY OF PALM DESERT
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
Subject Digital Accessibility Policy
Policy No. CMGR-005
Date Issued: July 9, 2026
Amended: N/A
Approved by Resolution No. 2026-043
Authored by City Manager’s Office
I. Purpose
The City of Palm Desert (“City”) is committed to ensuring that all individuals, including
those with disabilities, have equal access to the City’s programs, services, and activities
through digital platforms. Digital accessibility is essential to providing inclusive, equitable,
and effective communication with the communities we serve.
This Digital Accessibility Policy (“Policy”) establishes guidelines and standards for
ensuring that the City’s digital content and Information and Communication Technology
(“ICT”) are accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicabl e federal
and state laws. This Policy is intended to govern the creation, development, procurement,
maintenance, and use of all digital content and systems used to conduct City business.
The City has an overriding interest and expectation in ensuring that all digital content
published or maintained by the City is accessible, usable, and inclusive for all users,
including those who rely on assistive technologies. The City shall ensure effec tive
communication with individuals with disabilities, consistent with 28 CFR 35.160.
II. Applicability
This Policy applies to all City employees, elected and appointed officials, volunteers, and
third-party consultants, contractors, agents, or representatives conducting business on
behalf of the City.
It covers all forms of digital content and ICT used to conduct City business, including but
not limited to:
• Websites and subdomains
• Web-based applications and online services
• Mobile applications
• Digital documents (PDFs, word processing documents, spreadsheets, and
presentations)
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• Multimedia (video, audio, and social media content)
• Third-party platforms, software, and systems used by the City
All applicable individuals shall be provided with a copy of this Policy and directed to
familiarize themselves with it.
III. Definitions
“Accessibility” means the design and delivery of digital content and technology in a
manner that allows individuals with disabilities to perceive, understand, navigate, interact
with, and contribute to information and services provided by the City.
“Assistive Technology” means any device or software used by individuals with disabilities
to access digital content, including but not limited to screen readers, screen magnifiers,
voice recognition software, and alternative input devices.
“Digital Content” means any information, content, or data made available by the City on
its website or mobile applications in electronic format, including but not limited to text,
images, audio, video, and documents.
“Information and Communication Technology (ICT)” means any technology used to
create, store, exchange, or manage information, including websites, applications,
software, and digital systems.
“WCAG” means the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines developed by the World Wide
Web Consortium (W3C), which establishes technical standards for digital accessibility.
IV. Official Websites
The City of Palm Desert maintains various official digital platforms to provide information
and services to the public. These include, but are not limited to:
• www.palmdesert.gov
• www.engagepalmdesert.com
• www.discoverpalmdesert.com
• www.palmdesertlibrary.org
Additional digital services, platforms, and applications may be utilized by the City to
conduct business and deliver services.
City staff, including but not limited to the Information Technology Division and the
Communications Division, acting as designated Authorized Users by the City Manager or
designee, are responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, maintenance, and
accessibility of the City’s digital platforms.
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V. Policy
The City shall strive to achieve full compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA by April 26, 2027.
The City shall undertake an ongoing review of its digital content and undertake remediation
efforts as promptly as possible upon identification of any areas of nonco mpliance. Any
remediation shall proceed according to a prioritized schedule.
The City shall ensure all digital content and ICT are accessible to individuals with
disabilities. Accessibility shall be integrated into all content creation, system
development, and procurement processes.
A. General Accessibility Requirements
1. All City digital content and ICT shall comply with applicable federal, state, and local
laws, including:
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
2. In accordance with the U.S. Department of Justice’s April 24, 2024 final rule and the
Interim Final Rule published on April 20, 2026, the City shall ensure all web content and
mobile applications comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA success criteria.
3. This requirement applies to all City digital services and programs, including but not
limited to:
• Online permitting and applications
• Public meeting information and streaming services
• Emergency notifications and public safety information
• Forms, documents, and service portals
4. All newly developed, redesigned, or procured digital content and systems shall comply
with WCAG 2.1 Level AA at launch.
5. Existing digital content and ICT shall be evaluated and remediated according to
compliance timelines set by federal law, with priority based on usage, service
importance, and public impact.
B. Authorized Use and Content Creation
1. All individuals creating or publishing digital content on behalf of the City (“Authorized
User(s)”) shall comply with this Policy.
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2. Authorized Users shall be provided a copy of this Policy and are required to
acknowledge their understanding and acceptance.
3. Authorized Users shall ensure that digital content is accessible at the time of creation,
including but not limited to:
• Providing alternative text for images
• Using proper heading structures
• Ensuring sufficient color contrast
• Creating accessible tables and forms
• Ensuring documents are properly tagged and readable by assistive
technologies and keyboard users
4. Authorized Users shall conduct themselves as professional representatives of the City
in accordance with this Policy and all applicable City policies. Failure to do so may
result in disciplinary action.
5. Authorized Users shall not knowingly publish content that creates barriers to
accessibility when accessible alternatives are reasonably achievable.
C. Multimedia and Document Accessibility
1. All video content and time-based media published by the City shall include reasonably
accurate captions.
2. Audio-only content shall be accompanied by transcripts.
3. Digital documents, content, and ICT posted on City web platforms shall be accessible,
or if exempt from WCAG compliance pursuant to 28 C.F.R. 35.201, shall be provided in
an accessible alternative format upon request.
4. Legacy documents that may not be fully compliant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA shall be
remediated in accordance with the City’s remediation plan, or if exempt from WCAG
compliance pursuant to 28 C.F.R. 35.201, shall be remediated if updated or upon
request.
D. Third-Party Platforms and Procurement
1. All ICT procured, developed, or maintained by third-party vendors must comply with
applicable accessibility standards, including WCAG 2.1 Level AA and Section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act.
2. Vendors may be required to provide documentation of accessibility compliance, such
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as a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT).
3. The City reserves the right to evaluate and reject any technology, documents, ICT, or
other work product that does not meet ADA accessibility requirements.
4. Contracts for digital services or technology shall include accessibility compliance
language where applicable.
E. Accessibility Monitoring and Maintenance
1. The City shall implement and maintain ongoing efforts to monitor and evaluate digital
content and systems for accessibility compliance.
2. Accessibility reviews may include automated testing tools, manual testing, and user
feedback. Feedback from users with disabilities will be solicited and considered by the
City to the extent reasonably possible.
3. Any areas of WCAG noncompliance or accessibility barriers shall be addressed in a
timely manner, based on priority and available resources.
4. All documentation related to the audit, review, or planned remediation of web content
pursuant to this Policy shall be retained by the City for a period of at least two (2) years.
F. Public Feedback and Requests
1. The City shall provide a method for members of the public to report accessibility
barriers or request assistance.
2. Requests for accessible documents or program modifications shall be responded to in
a timely manner.
3. No communications made through City digital platforms shall be deemed to constitute
legal notice to the City where formal notice is required by law.
G. Training and Awareness
1. The City shall provide training and resources to employees and Authorized Users on
digital accessibility best practices.
2. Department heads are responsible for ensuring that staff involved in digital content
creation receive appropriate training. Training certificates shall be retained for a
minimum of three (3) years after employment, pursuant to Labor Code section 1198.5.
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H. Exceptions
1. Exceptions to this Policy may be granted when compliance would impose an undue
administrative burden or fundamentally alter the nature of a program or service.
2. This Policy incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA and exceptions set forth in 28 C.F.R.
35.201.
3. In such cases where a recognized exception applies, the City shall provide an
accessible alternative to digital content upon request.
I. Enforcement and Compliance
1. All activities conducted on behalf of the City involving digital content and ICT must
comply with this Policy.
2. Failure to comply with this Policy may result in corrective action, including removal of
content, expedited remediation, or disciplinary action.
J. Public Records Act
1. All digital content created, maintained, or published by the City is subject to the
California Public Records Act (“CPRA”).
2. Digital content and ICT posted on the City’s website, including web-based platforms,
documents, and communications, may be considered public records subject to
disclosure.
3. Employees and Authorized Users are advised that content created on personal or City -
issued devices for City business may be subject to disclosure under the CPRA.
K. ADA Coordinator and Grievance Procedure
1. The City has designated an ADA Coordinator and adopted a grievance procedure
pursuant to 28 C.F.R. 35.107.
2. For more information regarding the City’s commitment to accessibility, or to report any
suspected violations of this policy, Authorized Users and members of the public may
contact ada@palmdesert.gov.
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