Department of Justice
Web and Mobile App Accessibility Rules

Web content is information or a sensory experience accessed via a web browser or other software, including text, images, sounds, videos, controls, animations, navigation menus, and documents. The rule would apply to any content made available to the public, unless it were "excepted."

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Enacted in 1990, the ADA aims to ensure equal opportunities and access to goods, services, employment, and public facilities for people with disabilities. The law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in various areas, including employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications.

A regulation, also called a "rule," is a set of requirements issued by a federal agency for laws passed by Congress. "When Congress passed the ADA, it gave the Department the authority to make regulations that explain the rights and requirements for Titles II and III of the ADA."

According to the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, the final rule applies to all state and local government entities. Examples include:

• State and local government offices that provide benefits and/or social services, like food assistance, health insurance, or employment services
• Public schools, community colleges, and public universities
• State and local police departments
• State and local courts
• State and local election offices
• Public hospitals and public healthcare clinics
• Public parks and recreation programs
• Public libraries
• Public transit agencies

The DOJ enforces Title II of the ADA through lawsuits and settlement agreements. Non-compliance can result in:

• Required policy and procedure revisions
• Mandatory remediation of inaccessible content
• Substantial damages payments to affected individuals
• Ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements

The DOJ's rule complements existing laws like Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and provides clear technical standards for ADA compliance. Educational institutions must still comply with other accessibility laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Title II of the ADA may be enforced through private lawsuits in federal court. Individuals do not need to file complaints with the DOJ or any other federal agency before taking legal action. This means that educational institutions and government entities should expect potential lawsuits directly from individuals if they fail to meet compliance deadlines. Meanwhile, Title III lawsuits against private organizations have continued to increase, with nearly 2,800 cases filed in federal courts in 2023.

WCAG 2.1 Level AA is a set of technical guidelines for making web content accessible to people with disabilities. It represents the middle tier of WCAG compliance (between Level A and AAA) and is considered the industry standard for reasonable accessibility.

No. Despite recent changes to DEI programs in federal agencies, digital accessibility requirements under the ADA, Section 508, and other disability rights laws remain completely unchanged. Federal guidance has clarified that agencies must continue to provide accessibility and disability-related accommodations as required by law.