WCAG Compliance CheckADA Title II: the web accessibility rule and its deadlines
In April 2024 the Department of Justice adopted WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the technical standard for the web content and mobile apps of state and local governments (DOJ final rule on web and mobile accessibility under Title II (24 April 2024)). In April 2026 it extended the compliance dates by one year.
Compliance dates, checked on 1 October 2026 (DOJ interim final rule extending the Title II compliance dates (20 April 2026)):
- Public entities with a total population of 50,000 or more: 26 April 2027 (was 24 April 2026).
- Public entities under 50,000, and special district governments: 26 April 2028 (was 26 April 2027).
The interim final rule took effect immediately; it changed the dates, not the standard.
Who it covers
State and local governments: cities, counties, public schools and universities, courts, transit agencies, public hospitals and libraries. It covers their websites and mobile apps, including content and apps that vendors provide for them.
What it requires
Web content and mobile apps must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA, with limited exceptions (archived content, some preexisting documents, content posted by third parties, individualized password-protected documents, preexisting social media posts). Each exception has conditions; read the rule before relying on one (ADA.gov, fact sheet on the 2024 Title II web and mobile rule).
Businesses open to the public (Title III)
There is no Title III regulation with a technical standard for websites. The Department's 2022 guidance says businesses open to the public must make their websites accessible and points to WCAG as helpful guidance (ADA.gov, Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA (2022)).
What vendors should do
- Expect public-sector buyers to ask for WCAG 2.1 AA conformance evidence, such as an accessibility conformance report.
- Test to WCAG 2.2 AA: it covers 2.1 AA (why).
- Fix automated failures first, then work through the manual checklist.
Sources
- DOJ final rule on web and mobile accessibility under Title II (24 April 2024)
- DOJ interim final rule extending the Title II compliance dates (20 April 2026)
- ADA.gov, fact sheet on the 2024 Title II web and mobile rule
- ADA.gov, Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA (2022)
- W3C, WCAG 2.1
- Checked on 1 October 2026.