International
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are part of a series of web accessibility guidelines published by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the main international standards organization for the Internet.
The guidelines are organized under four principles:
- Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.
- Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable.
- Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable.
- Robust: Content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_Content_Accessibility_Guidelines
United States
In the United States, web accessibility is governed by a combination of federal and state laws designed to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to digital content.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Title II and Title III of the ADA are particularly relevant to digital accessibility:
- Title II applies to state and local government entities, requiring them to ensure that all public services, including websites, are accessible to people with disabilities.
- Title III applies to public accommodations, such as businesses and nonprofits, mandating that they provide equal access to goods, services, and information—this includes websites and mobile apps.
The Department of Justice has clarified that the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA serve as the technical standard for compliance.
ADA Compliance Guide offers practical advice on achieving ADA website compliance and understanding legal requirements.
https://www.accessibility.works/blog/2025-wcag-ada-website-compliance-standards-requirements/
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
This section requires federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. The U.S. Access Board updated the Section 508 standards in 2017 to incorporate WCAG 2.0 Level AA criteria.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_508_Amendment_to_the_Rehabilitation_Act_of_1973
https://www.section508.gov/
U.S. Web Design System (USWDS)
Provides accessibility guidance and resources for designing and building accessible websites.
US State-Specific Requirements
Many states have implemented their own digital accessibility laws and policies, often aligning with federal standards like Section 508 or WCAG. However, the specifics can vary:
https://onlineada.com/articles/which-u-s-states-have-digital-accessibility-laws-a-comprehensive-list/
Here are a few;
- California: Adheres to Section 508 and WCAG 1.0 AA standards for web accessibility.
- New York: Follows Section 508 standards for web accessibility.
- Texas: Implements both Section 508 and its own state-specific accessibility standards.
FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions.
