28 CFR Part 35, Subpart H · 2024 final rule · Deadlines extended April 2026
The ADA Web Accessibility Rule, Explained
Last updated June 11, 2026
In April 2024, the Department of Justice did something it had never done before: it wrote a specific technical standard into the ADA regulations. State and local government websites and mobile apps must now conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. This page explains the rule, the deadlines, and the exceptions in plain language.
The Deadlines
The deadline moved. The work didn't. On April 20, 2026, the Department of Justice issued an interim final rule extending both compliance dates by one year. The standard, the scope, and the exceptions are all unchanged.
April 26, 2027. Public entities with a total population of 50,000 or more must comply by this date. That lands mid-fiscal-year for most entities, so the budget you set in 2026 is the one that pays for the work.
April 26, 2028. Public entities with a population under 50,000, and all special district governments (water districts, transit authorities, library districts, and similar), must comply by this date.
Population is determined by Census figures; county population is attributed to special districts based on where they operate. See §35.200(b) for the exact rule.
What the Rule Covers
- All web content your entity provides or makes available — including content provided through contractors, vendors, or other arrangements. You cannot outsource your way out of compliance
- Mobile apps your entity provides, from parking apps to school portals
- Documents on your site: PDFs, Word files, spreadsheets, and presentations are web content too, unless a specific exception applies
- Password-protected content, like student portals and utility billing systems
- Course content at public schools, community colleges, and universities
Read the Rule Itself, Section by Section
- § 35.200 — Requirements for web and mobile accessibility: the core mandate and the two deadlines
- § 35.201 — Exceptions: the five narrow categories of excepted content
- § 35.202 — Conforming alternate versions: when a separate accessible version is (rarely) allowed
- § 35.203 — Equivalent facilitation: using newer or alternative standards
- § 35.204 — Duties: the fundamental alteration and undue burden limits
- § 35.205 — Minimal impact noncompliance: the narrow backstop for minor defects
Common Questions
What is the deadline for ADA website compliance?
Public entities with a total population of 50,000 or more must comply by April 26, 2027. Public entities under 50,000 and all special district governments must comply by April 26, 2028. DOJ extended both dates by one year in an interim final rule effective April 20, 2026.
What standard do government websites have to meet?
WCAG 2.1 Level AA, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines published by the W3C. It is written directly into 28 CFR §35.200.
Does the rule cover mobile apps?
Yes. Web content and mobile apps that a state or local government provides or makes available, including through contractors or vendors, must conform to WCAG 2.1 AA.
Are there exceptions?
Five narrow ones, in §35.201: archived web content, preexisting conventional electronic documents, certain third-party content, individualized password-protected documents, and preexisting social media posts. Each has strict conditions.
Did the deadline extension change what we have to do?
No. The technical standard (WCAG 2.1 AA), the scope of coverage, and the exceptions are unchanged. Only the dates moved. Noncompliant entities remain exposed to federal complaints, private lawsuits, and attorney's fees under the ADA's existing effective-communication and program-access rules in the meantime.
Where does your website stand?
You don't need to fix everything today. You need to know what matters first. An assessment tells you exactly where you stand, so the extension becomes a head start instead of a snooze button.