2026 Website Accessibility Deadline: What You Need to Know

The U.S. Department of Justice has signed a new rule to make websites and apps more accessible for everyone. The changes necessary to assist those with disabilities will impact organizations nationwide. But what exactly does this mean for you?

What's Changing and Why It Matters.

Essentially, the ruling is an update to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

The four principles of web accessibility - making sure content can be seen, used, understood, and works properly - are to be followed by all local and state government entities serving 50,000+ people by April 24th, 2026.

If the organization serves fewer than 50,000, it will have until April 26th, 2027, to implement these changes.

These organizations include public schools, police departments, courts, elections offices, hospitals, parks, libraries, and more.

Any web content published must meet the regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). And if your business helps them create or develop that content, you need to comply too. ADA.gov

While it is not legally required for private businesses to meet these standards, it’s a smart move to follow WCAG as closely as possible. Doing so helps ensure that your brand and products are accessible to everyone, thereby reducing your legal risk. Although private companies are not currently subject to Department of Justice enforcement under this rule, they may still face lawsuits from private individuals or law firms under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Following WCAG helps safeguard against this and shows a commitment to digital inclusivity.

This is a significant step toward making the digital world accessible to those who need it. Digital content for voting activities, health profiles, and other vital information will now be compatible with all users. Accessibility is no longer just encouraged but required. Failure to comply with the new regulations could result in lawsuits, fines, and legal fees from the Department of Justice or individuals. It could also mean SEO drawbacks and missed revenue from those who cannot access your website.

What Does "Accessibility" Mean in Practice?

The new ruling has set the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA as the technical standard for all web content and mobile apps. This means including image descriptions, captions for videos, easy-to-read color combos for those with low vision, and much more.

These guidelines are to be used for all digital materials made public by these entities. This includes PDFs, spreadsheets, videos, Canvas pages, presentations, and course content.

Next Steps for Your Business.

The Department of Justice’s ruling directly impacts agencies that create content and develop websites for government entities. However, this ruling also puts the WCAG 2.1 AA technical standard in the spotlight, making it an unspoken rule for all digital and mobile content.

What you can do now:

Check if your website and mobile app content meet accessibility standards. This not only prevents a lawsuit, but it also maintains your SEO performance and ensures your brand/products are accessible to everyone in your target audience.