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Accessibility laws

Plain-language summaries of the laws that may apply to your website, app, or documents, with the official sources and the dates that matter.

This is general information, not legal advice. Which laws apply depends on where you operate and who you serve.

United States

  • Americans with Disabilities Act, Title III

    Applies to
    Businesses and nonprofit organizations in the United States that are open to the public, such as stores, banks, hotels, restaurants, and medical offices, including the websites and apps they offer.
    Standard
    None named in a regulation; the Department of Justice points to WCAG as helpful guidance

  • Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II web and mobile app rule

    Applies to
    State and local governments in the United States, including public schools and universities, courts, libraries, transit agencies, and special districts, and the web content and mobile apps they provide, including through vendors.
    Standard
    WCAG 2.1 Level AA

    Due , ADA Title II, state and local governments with a total population of 50,000 or more

  • Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

    Applies to
    U.S. federal agencies and the information and communication technology they develop, buy, maintain, or use. Vendors need to address the accessibility requirements in the federal procurement or contract they are supplying.
    Standard
    Revised Section 508 Standards, harmonized with WCAG 2.0 Level AA

  • Section 504 rule for health and human services programs

    Applies to
    Hospitals, clinics, medical practices, insurers, state Medicaid and social service agencies, and any other organization that receives funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including their websites, patient portals, and mobile apps.
    Standard
    WCAG 2.1 Level AA

    Due , Section 504 (HHS rule), recipients of HHS funding with 15 or more employees

Canada

  • Accessible Canada Act

    Applies to
    Organizations under federal jurisdiction in Canada: federal departments and agencies, Crown corporations, and federally regulated private businesses such as banks, telecommunications and broadcasting companies, airlines, and interprovincial transport.
    Standard
    The Act sets the framework; digital technology regulations reference CAN/ASC - EN 301 549:2024, with scope and alternatives defined in the regulations

    Due , ACA, specified federal public sector web-page duties and digital accessibility training duties; check the organization category

Ontario

  • Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, website requirements

    Applies to
    Designated public sector organizations in Ontario, and businesses and nonprofits with 50 or more employees in Ontario, for the public websites they control directly or through a contract. Different AODA duties can apply below that employee threshold.
    Standard
    WCAG 2.0 Level AA, excluding success criteria 1.2.4 and 1.2.5

    Due , AODA, accessibility compliance report from businesses and nonprofits with 20 or more employees

European Union

  • European Accessibility Act

    Applies to
    Businesses that sell covered products or provide covered services to consumers in the European Union, wherever the business is based: e-commerce, consumer banking, e-books, electronic communications, access to audiovisual media, parts of passenger transport, and products such as computers, smartphones, e-readers, and self-service terminals.
    Standard
    Requirements in Annex I and national implementing law; applicable harmonized standards can support a presumption of conformity

    Due , EAA, end of the transition period for products that service providers were already using

  • Web Accessibility Directive

    Applies to
    Public sector bodies in EU member states, such as national, regional, and local authorities and bodies governed by public law, and their websites and mobile apps.
    Standard
    EN 301 549 (harmonized standard); its web clauses follow WCAG 2.1 Level AA

United Kingdom

  • Equality Act 2010

    Applies to
    Anyone providing a service to the public in England, Scotland, or Wales, for payment or not, including businesses, charities, and public bodies, and the websites, apps, and documents they provide. Northern Ireland has the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 instead.
    Standard
    None named in the Act

  • Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018

    Applies to
    UK public sector bodies and their websites, intranets, extranets, and public-facing mobile apps. Some charities, broadcasters, and school content are exempt. Older intranets and extranets have different timing, and apps for defined groups such as employees or students are not covered by these regulations.
    Standard
    WCAG 2.2 Level AA, as expected by the Government Digital Service

Australia

  • Disability Discrimination Act 1992

    Applies to
    Anyone in Australia who provides goods, services, or facilities, for payment or not, including businesses, nonprofits, and government, and the websites, apps, and documents they offer.
    Standard
    None named in the Act; WCAG, as recommended in the Australian Human Rights Commission's guidelines

To see how the ADA is applied to websites in practice, browse U.S. accessibility lawsuits by industry and state.