File a Digital Accessibility ADA Complaint - Baltimore

Technology and Data Maryland 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 08, 2026 Flag of Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland residents and visitors who encounter inaccessible city websites or digital services can file complaints under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This guide explains where to raise a digital accessibility complaint involving a Baltimore city service, what to expect from the process, and practical steps for filing, appealing, or seeking technical help. It highlights the likely enforcing offices, typical outcomes, and available remedies so complainants can act promptly and document issues clearly.

How the complaint process works

Digital accessibility complaints involving public services are generally handled either by the city office responsible for the affected service or by federal authorities under Title II of the ADA. For city-level process and any local enforcement measures, consult the Baltimore Code of Ordinances and the city ADA contact point. [1]

File issues promptly and preserve screenshots and URLs as evidence.

Penalties & Enforcement

Baltimore City enforces local ordinances and policies through the department or office that oversees the affected service; federal ADA enforcement is handled by the U.S. Department of Justice. Specific monetary fines or daily penalties for digital-accessibility violations are not stated on the cited municipal page; see the listed official sources for details and follow-up actions. [1]

  • Enforcer: city department or office responsible for the service, and federal enforcement by the U.S. Department of Justice.
  • Non-monetary remedies: orders to make content accessible, injunctive relief, technical assistance, and court-ordered compliance.
  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited municipal page; consult official ordinance or enforcement notice for amounts.
  • Escalation: first review, compliance order or technical assistance, then enforcement actions or referrals to federal authorities if unresolved.
  • How to complain: submit to the city ADA contact or through the municipal complaint intake; federal complaints may be filed with the DOJ.

Applications & Forms

The municipal code page does not publish a specific digital-accessibility complaint form. Complainants should look for an ADA Coordinator contact, a general discrimination/complaint intake form on the city site, or file with the Department of Justice for federal ADA enforcement. For city-specific forms or online intake, contact the relevant department directly. [1]

If no city form exists, email the ADA contact and keep records of your submission.

Common violations

  • Unlabeled images or missing alt text on city webpages.
  • Navigation controls that are not keyboard accessible.
  • Documents (PDFs) posted without accessible tagging or readable text.

Action steps

  • Document the issue: capture URLs, screenshots, date/time, and description of the barrier.
  • Contact the city ADA Coordinator or the department that manages the website or service.
  • Request a written response and a timeline for remediation.
  • If unresolved, consider filing a federal complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice.

FAQ

Who enforces ADA for city websites?
The city department responsible for the service and the U.S. Department of Justice may enforce ADA compliance; for city-specific enforcement procedures consult the municipal code and ADA contact point. [1]
Is there a fee to file a complaint?
No fee is typically required to submit an accessibility complaint; any official filing fees would be specified by the receiving office and are not listed on the cited municipal page. [1]
How long does the city take to respond?
Response times vary by department; the municipal page does not specify standard time limits, so ask the intake office for expected review timelines when you file. [1]

How-To

  1. Record the inaccessible page or service: URL, screenshots, device and browser used, and date/time.
  2. Locate the city ADA Coordinator or the department responsible for the affected service.
  3. Send a clear complaint by email or web form including the documented evidence and a requested remedy.
  4. Request a written acknowledgement and a timeline for remediation from the office that received the complaint.
  5. If the issue is not resolved, file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice or seek legal counsel for further remedies.

Key Takeaways

  • Document and preserve evidence before filing.
  • Contact the city ADA Coordinator first; escalate to federal authorities if needed.
  • Keep copies of communications and requested remediation timelines.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Baltimore Code of Ordinances

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