In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice published a final rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It requires state and local government websites and mobile apps to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA.
Who the rule covers
The rule applies to public entities such as cities, counties, public schools and transit agencies. As published in 2024, larger entities had until April 2026 to comply and smaller ones until April 2027. Deadlines can change, so check ADA.gov for the current requirements.
Why private businesses should care
Most private businesses fall under Title III of the ADA instead. The rule doesn’t apply to them directly, but it clearly names WCAG 2.1 AA as the technical standard, and website accessibility lawsuits against private businesses remain common in the United States.
What WCAG 2.1 AA looks like in practice
- Text with enough contrast against its background
- Alt text describing meaningful images
- Menus, forms and buttons that work with a keyboard
- Form fields with clear labels and helpful error messages
- Pages that still work when zoomed to 200%
Accessibility is good business
Accessible websites are easier for everyone to use, including older customers and anyone on a small phone screen. Many fixes also help SEO.
Where to start
We design new sites with WCAG 2.1 AA in mind and can review your current site for common issues. This article is general information, not legal advice. Talk to an attorney about your specific obligations.