DOJ final rule means digital accessibility, audits, grants for South Carolina arts groups

Amanda Noyes, Arts and Education Accessibility Director for the South Carolina Arts Commission, and accessibility consultants told arts organizations in a Nov. webinar that the Department of Justicefinal rule now requires many public and federally funded digital resources to meet formal accessibility standards.

The webinar opened with Noyes outlining the state Arts Commissionmission and partnerships: "The mission of the South Carolina Arts Commission is to promote equitable access to the arts and support the cultivation of creativity in South Carolina," she said, and noted the Commissionhas worked with ABLE South Carolina and launched an "Arts for All SC" grant to help organizations improve accessibility.

Why it matters: the panel explained that the DOJfinal rule extends ADA-related requirements into the digital realm, using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as the conformance standard. Panelists said compliance timelines vary by organization size and funding, failure to act can trigger complaints or lawsuits, and practical steps (automated scans, manual audits, staff training) are available now.

The webinar framed the technical standard and the practical steps organizations should take. Sarah Massengale, an accessibility consultant with S and M Accessibility Consulting, said the final rule "is something that was established by [Attorney General] Merrick B. Garland and the Department of Justice as sort of…