Skip to main content

Training

Federal Accessibility Laws and Rules

Last checked: November 1, 2026. Reference, not legal advice. Laws change; each entry shows the date it was checked.

Big change in 2026: Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) each moved their Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA web and mobile deadlines back one year. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) sued to undo both delays (NFB v. DOJ, D. Md., No. 1:26-cv-02007); no ruling found as of this check. Both agencies say they may revisit what their rules require.

Section 508 (federal agency technology)

Federal agencies must make the technology they build, buy, keep up and use accessible.

  • Law or rule: Rehabilitation Act Section 508, 29 United States Code (U.S.C.) 794d, https://www.section508.gov
  • What it requires: Technology federal agencies build, buy, maintain or use must be accessible to employees and the public with disabilities, unless an exception such as undue burden applies.
  • Who it covers: Federal executive agencies; vendors indirectly through federal contracts.
  • Technical standard: Revised 508 Standards, which include WCAG 2.0 AA.
  • Key dates: Revised Standards in force since January 18, 2018.
  • Checked: 2026-11-01
  • Notes: No change to the law found in 2024-2026.

Revised 508 Standards: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Standards and Guidelines

The technical rules federal technology must meet.

  • Law or rule: 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1194, U.S. Access Board, https://www.access-board.gov/ict/
  • What it requires: Technical rules for web pages, documents, software, hardware, support documents and support services; also the Section 255 telecom guidelines.
  • Who it covers: Federal agencies (Section 508); telecom makers through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), under Section 255.
  • Technical standard: WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA for web content, documents and software.
  • Key dates: Published January 18, 2017; required since January 18, 2018.
  • Checked: 2026-11-01
  • Notes: No official rulemaking found to move to WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 (Not verified that none is pending).

Federal Acquisition Regulation, Part 39 (buying accessible technology)

Federal buyers must include Section 508 in technology purchases.

  • Law or rule: Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 39.2, https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-39
  • What it requires: Contracting officers include Section 508 requirements when agencies buy information technology (IT), unless an exception applies.
  • Who it covers: Federal agencies buying technology, and the contractors who sell to them.
  • Technical standard: Revised 508 Standards (WCAG 2.0 AA).
  • Key dates: Part 39 was rewritten in 2025 under the "Revolutionary FAR Overhaul," adopted by agencies through class deviations.
  • Checked: 2026-11-01
  • Notes: The General Services Administration (GSA) deviation memo says Section 508 is still required: https://acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/page_file_uploads/GSA_RFO_Deviation_Part-39.pdf. New section numbers and final status: Not verified.

Section 504 (programs that get federal money)

Programs paid for with federal money may not shut out people with disabilities.

  • Law or rule: Rehabilitation Act Section 504, 29 U.S.C. 794, https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/disability/index.html
  • What it requires: Programs that receive federal money, and federal agencies' own programs, may not exclude or discriminate against people with disabilities, including in communication.
  • Who it covers: Recipients of federal financial aid (schools, hospitals, grantees) and federal agencies' own programs.
  • Technical standard: None in the law itself; each agency's rules may set one (see HHS).
  • Key dates: 1973.
  • Checked: 2026-11-01
  • Notes: Only HHS has a final Section 504 web rule (Not verified that no others are pending).

HHS Section 504 web and mobile rule

Health and human services providers that get HHS money must make websites, apps and kiosks accessible.

Section 501 (federal jobs)

Federal agencies must accommodate employees and applicants with disabilities.

  • Law or rule: Rehabilitation Act Section 501, 29 U.S.C. 791; 29 CFR 1614.203, https://www.eeoc.gov
  • What it requires: No disability discrimination against federal employees and applicants; affirmative-action plans that include accommodation and accessible technology.
  • Who it covers: Federal executive agencies as employers.
  • Technical standard: None in Section 501; technology falls under Section 508.
  • Key dates: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) rule effective January 3, 2018.
  • Checked: 2026-11-01
  • Notes: No 2024-2026 change found (Not verified).

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II (state and local government)

State and local governments must give people with disabilities equal access, including online.

  • Law or rule: ADA Title II, 42 U.S.C. 12131 and following, https://www.ada.gov
  • What it requires: Equal access to services and programs, including effective communication.
  • Who it covers: States, cities, counties, public schools and colleges, special districts, transit agencies.
  • Technical standard: For web and mobile, see the DOJ rule below.
  • Key dates: 1990.
  • Checked: 2026-11-01
  • Notes: The duty to communicate effectively applies now, regardless of the web rule's delayed deadlines.

DOJ Title II web and mobile rule

State and local government websites and apps must meet WCAG 2.1 AA.

ADA Title III (businesses open to the public)

Businesses open to the public must communicate effectively, which DOJ says includes websites.

  • Law or rule: ADA Title III, 42 U.S.C. 12181 and following; 28 CFR Part 36; guidance at https://www.ada.gov/resources/web-guidance/
  • What it requires: Effective communication with people with disabilities; DOJ's 2022 guidance says this includes websites.
  • Who it covers: Private businesses that are public accommodations (stores, hotels, banks, doctors' offices).
  • Technical standard: None set by regulation. Guidance points to WCAG and the 508 Standards as helpful.
  • Key dates: Web guidance dated March 18, 2022, still posted.
  • Checked: 2026-11-01
  • Notes: In a February 2026 court filing, DOJ said it does not endorse WCAG as the required standard (secondary source). Status of any Title III web rule: Not verified.

21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (IDEA) (federal websites)

New and redesigned federal websites must be accessible and user-centered.

  • Law or rule: 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act, Public Law 115-336 (2018); Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance M-23-22, https://digital.gov/resources/delivering-digital-first-public-experience
  • What it requires: New and redesigned federal websites must be accessible, consistent, secure, searchable, mobile-friendly and user-centered; forms and services move online.
  • Who it covers: Federal executive agencies.
  • Technical standard: Section 508 (WCAG 2.0 AA).
  • Key dates: Signed December 20, 2018. M-23-22 issued September 22, 2023.
  • Checked: 2026-11-01
  • Notes: Whether M-23-22 is still in force: Not verified.

OMB memo M-24-08 (federal digital accessibility)

Told federal agencies how to run strong Section 508 programs.

  • Law or rule: OMB M-24-08, December 21, 2023, https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/M-24-08-Strengthening-Digital-Accessibility-and-the-Management-of-Section-508-of-the-Rehabilitation-Act.pdf
  • What it requires: Section 508 programs under the Chief Information Officer (CIO), accessibility statements with feedback, 508 built into buying, automated plus manual testing, HyperText Markup Language (HTML) preferred over Portable Document Format (PDF), yearly reporting.
  • Who it covers: Federal executive agencies (not national security systems).
  • Technical standard: Revised 508 Standards (WCAG 2.0 AA).
  • Key dates: Deadlines ran from issue, plus annual reporting.
  • Checked: 2026-11-01
  • Notes: Reports say it was taken off the White House site in January 2025; no formal rescission found. Current status: Not verified.

21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) and FCC rules (communications and video)

Online video must keep its captions, and advanced communications must be accessible where achievable.

  • Law or rule: 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (2010), Public Law 111-260; 47 CFR Parts 14 and 79, https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/21st-century-communications-and-video-accessibility-act-cvaa
  • What it requires: Accessible voice over internet, messaging, video calls and mobile browsers where achievable; television (TV) shown online keeps its captions; video devices have accessible menus.
  • Who it covers: Makers of communications and video equipment, service providers, video distributors, TV program owners.
  • Technical standard: FCC performance rules (not WCAG).
  • Key dates: Rules on easy-to-find caption settings took effect August 17, 2026. Audio description expands to 10 more TV markets each year until 2035.
  • Checked: 2026-11-01
  • Notes: August 2026: FCC removed some caption paperwork rules; core caption duties unchanged.

Section 255 (telecom equipment and services)

Telecom products must be accessible where that is easy and inexpensive.

  • Law or rule: Telecommunications Act Section 255, 47 U.S.C. 255; 47 CFR Parts 6 and 7, https://www.fcc.gov/general/section-255-telecommunications-act
  • What it requires: Accessible telecom equipment and services where "readily achievable."
  • Who it covers: Telecom equipment makers and service providers.
  • Technical standard: FCC rules plus Access Board guidelines (36 CFR Part 1194).
  • Key dates: 1996.
  • Checked: 2026-11-01
  • Notes: None.

Air Carrier Access Act (airline websites and kiosks)

Airline websites and airport kiosks must be accessible.

  • Law or rule: 49 U.S.C. 41705; 14 CFR 382.43 (websites) and 382.57 (kiosks), https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-II/subchapter-A/part-382
  • What it requires: Accessible airline websites that sell U.S. air travel; accessible check-in kiosks.
  • Who it covers: U.S. and foreign airlines with at least one aircraft over 60 seats; kiosks of airlines and airports.
  • Technical standard: Websites: WCAG 2.0 AA. Kiosks: technical rules in 382.57.
  • Key dates: Core pages by December 12, 2015; all public pages by December 12, 2016; 25% of kiosks per location by December 12, 2022.
  • Checked: 2026-11-01
  • Notes: Kiosk details from secondary sources (Not verified on eCFR).

Assistive Technology Act

Funds state programs that lend devices and train people. No website rules.

  • Law or rule: 21st Century Assistive Technology Act (reauthorized December 2022), 29 U.S.C. 3001 and following, https://ataporg.org/at-act-info/
  • What it requires: Funding for state assistive technology programs. No technical standard.
  • Who it covers: State and territory assistive technology programs.
  • Technical standard: None.
  • Key dates: Reauthorized December 2022.
  • Checked: 2026-11-01
  • Notes: Background only; no compliance duty for websites.