The integration allows public entities to utilize pre-negotiated cooperative contracts awarded through the Alliance for Innovation. By removing the need for standalone solicitations, agencies can accelerate audits, remediation of websites and mobile applications, and staff training necessary to comply with WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

Marc Thorson, lead accessibility architect at Nelnet, emphasized that the goal is to help agencies begin compliance work immediately rather than losing time to administrative procurement cycles. The services cover a full spectrum of digital governance, including expert audits, hands-on repair of legacy content, and ongoing support through an Accessibility Team as a Service model.

This move comes as government bodies face mounting pressure to modernize digital infrastructure. With the Department of Justice extending compliance deadlines to April 26, 2027, for larger entities and April 26, 2028, for smaller districts, the demand for specialized expertise has surged. Nelnet previously demonstrated this model by assisting Colorado’s Office of Information Technology in bringing the myColorado app—serving over 1 million residents—into full compliance. Michael Wilkes, president and CEO of the Alliance for Innovation, noted that providing these proven capabilities through a cooperative portfolio addresses a critical gap in how local governments serve their communities.