The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an Interim Final Rule extending the compliance deadlines for web accessibility requirements under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Effective April 20, 2026, the rule gives local governments additional time to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level A and Level AA standards for websites and mobile applications.
Updated compliance deadlines:
- April 26, 2027 for local governments serving populations of 50,000 or more
- April 26, 2028 for local governments serving fewer than 50,000 and special districts
These dates replace the original deadlines established in the 2024 final rule.
While the timeline has changed, the underlying requirements remain unchanged. Local governments must still ensure that their web content and mobile applications meet WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA standards by the applicable deadline.
The DOJ stated that the extension reflects updated information about the challenges local governments are facing in preparing for compliance. These include staffing and resource limitations, the time required to remediate existing content, and the current limitations of technology to automate accessibility fixes at scale.
The rule also notes that without additional time, local governments could face increased litigation risk due to the approaching deadlines and the complexity of achieving full compliance.
Although the Interim Final Rule is now in effect, the DOJ is accepting public comments through June 22, 2026, and may make additional changes in future rulemaking.
Local governments should continue making steady progress by reviewing websites, documents, and digital services and addressing common accessibility barriers. Officials are encouraged to consult with their legal counsel or the DOJ for guidance specific to their situation.
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