Fort Lauderdale Website Accessibility Requirements

Civil Rights and Equity Florida 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 20, 2026 Flag of Florida

Fort Lauderdale, Florida requires public websites and digital services provided by the city and its contractors to be accessible to people with disabilities. This guide explains who must comply, common technical standards, enforcement pathways, and practical steps to report problems or request accommodations. It summarizes what official city resources say and where those resources are located so site owners and users can act promptly.

Scope & Who Must Comply

City departments, contractors delivering public-facing services, and entities operating city-funded web applications are generally expected to maintain accessible sites. Private businesses that are public accommodations remain subject to federal ADA obligations and state law; local implementation may involve coordination with city procurement and contracting rules. For site owners, check contractual accessibility clauses in city agreements and procurement documents.

Standards & Technical Requirements

Many public bodies adopt the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as a technical baseline for conformance and remediation. Review the city’s accessibility information to confirm the specific target level and technical expectations for Fort Lauderdale websites.[2]

Aim for WCAG 2.1 AA as a practical standard for most public websites.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of website accessibility in Fort Lauderdale may involve code compliance, civil claims under federal or state disability law, or procurement remedies for contracted vendors. Specific monetary penalties and escalation tiers for web-accessibility failures are not uniformly listed in a single city ordinance page; when exact fine amounts or daily penalties are not specified on the controlling municipal page, the city relies on the applicable code, contractual remedies, and federal/state enforcement mechanisms.[1]

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page; check municipal code or contractual terms for monetary penalties.
  • Escalation: first, repeat, or continuing offence procedures are handled via code-compliance, contract notices, or federal complaint routes; specific ranges are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: remedial orders, mandatory remediation timelines, contract termination, or court actions are possible enforcement outcomes.
  • Enforcer & complaints: the city’s ADA/accessibility contact and code compliance units handle reports and referrals; see Help and Support for official contacts.
  • Appeals & review: appeal routes and time limits depend on the enforcement path (administrative code process, procurement protest, or court filing) and are not specified on the cited page.
If you face an enforcement notice, preserve records of remediation efforts and correspondence.

Applications & Forms

  • ADA accommodation or accessibility request form: check the city's accessibility/contact page for an online form or instructions.
  • Procurement/contract clauses: accessibility requirements may be embedded in city contracts; request contract documents from the procuring department.

Action Steps for Website Owners

  • Audit your site against WCAG 2.1 AA or the standard specified by the city.
  • Document fixes with change logs, issue trackers, and accessibility statements on your site.
  • Follow procurement or contract remediation timelines if the site is city-owned or city-contracted.
  • Provide an accessible contact method and respond to accessibility requests promptly.

FAQ

Who must make websites accessible?
City departments and contractors providing public services must maintain accessible web content; private businesses that are public accommodations remain subject to federal and state accessibility laws.
How do I report an inaccessible page?
Gather the page URL, a brief description, your device/browser, and contact the city's accessibility contact or submit the accommodation form if available.
What standard should my site meet?
Confirm the required technical standard on the city's accessibility information; many public agencies reference WCAG 2.1 AA as a baseline.

How-To

  1. Identify the inaccessible page or feature and record the URL and screenshots where possible.
  2. Check for an on-site accessibility statement or a published contact for accommodation requests.
  3. Submit a formal accessibility report via the city's accessibility contact or form, including your contact details and evidence.
  4. Allow the city or vendor the stated remediation period and request status updates in writing.
  5. If unresolved, escalate to code compliance, procurement oversight, or file a federal/state complaint as appropriate.

Key Takeaways

  • Public websites should aim for WCAG compliance and maintain an accessibility statement.
  • Document fixes and communicate with the city’s accessibility contact when issues arise.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Fort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances - Municode
  2. [2] City of Fort Lauderdale accessibility information and contact

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