DOJ Final Rule (2024)
On April 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a Final Rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act adopting WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the binding standard for state and local government websites and mobile apps — the first time a specific technical standard has been codified into federal ADA regulation for the web.
What changed on April 24, 2024.
What Was Adopted
On April 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice published a Final Rule under Title II of the ADA that adopts WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the technical standard for the websites and mobile apps of state and local governments.
Who Must Comply
All state and local government entities — cities, counties, public school districts, public universities, transit authorities, courts, libraries, and any service provided to the public on their behalf, including third-party vendors.
Compliance Deadlines
Public entities serving 50,000+ people: April 24, 2026. Smaller entities and special districts: April 26, 2027. After those dates, non-conforming web content is presumed to violate Title II.
Why It Matters for Private Business
While the rule directly governs Title II (government), federal courts already use WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the de-facto standard in Title III (private business) lawsuits. The DOJ formally codifying it accelerates that trend across every demand letter and settlement.
What public entities must deliver.
- WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance for all web content
- Mobile applications meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA
- Documents (PDF, Word, etc.) accessible or available in accessible formats
- Third-party content (vendors, embeds) accessible — no outsourcing the obligation
- Archived materials accessible on request
- Existing online courses and educational content accessible
- Real-time captioning for live web content where required
- Accessible alternatives for password-protected and member content
This page summarizes the published rule for informational purposes and is not legal advice. Always consult counsel for specific obligations under the Final Rule.
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