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Accessibility Laws, Regulations, and Standards in the United States

Accessibility laws in the United States

This lesson includes federal laws, standards, updates, maturity models, state laws, and proposed laws related to accessibility in the United States.

Having trouble retaining this? Try the US Accessibility Laws — Learning Style Test — the same content as a mind map, a story, active-recall flashcards, and a read-aloud script.

1973 Rehabilitation Act

The Rehabilitation Act was the first litigation to address equal access for individuals with disabilities, including employment, transportation, and the removal of barriers.

This lesson introduces sections 501 and 505:

  • Section 501 - Employment of People with Disabilities
  • Section 505 - Remedies and Attorney Fees

1988 Assistive Technology Act

The Assistive Technology Act increased access to, availability of, and funding for assistive devices for people with disabilities.

It is also referred to as the Tech Act.

It was last amended in 2004 to support programs within states to further help people with disabilities get the assistive technologies they need.

1990 Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in places of public accommodation.

The ADA is broken down into titles:

ADA title Topic
Title 1 Employment
Title 2 Public Services
Title 3 Public Accommodations and Services by Private Entities
Title 4 Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radio Telegraphs
Title 5 Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 508 Standards

Section 508 is part of the Rehabilitation Act. It requires federal agencies to develop, procure, maintain, and use information and communication technology that is accessible to people with disabilities.

This is required regardless of whether a person works for the federal government or not.

2008 ADA Amendments Act

The ADA Amendments Act clarified the scope of the definition of disabilities under the ADA.

This made it so extensive analysis was not needed to identify as a person with a disability, with the goal of reducing discrimination against people with disabilities.

2010 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act

The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act requires advanced communication services and products to be accessible.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Texting
  • Video
  • Web on mobile
  • Other advanced communication services and products

2017 ICT Refresh Rule

The Section 508 refresh adopted WCAG 2.0.

It also updated:

  • Section 255
  • Authoring tools compliance
  • Data and safe harbor provisions
  • Functional performance criteria

ADA Title II Update

In 2024, Title II of the ADA was updated to ensure that websites, mobile apps, and other digital tools used by state and local governments are accessible to everyone.

This new rule directly references WCAG 2.1 standards.

Community colleges, public schools, and public universities were also mentioned in this final rule.

The Maturity Model

The maturity model is designed to gauge progress being made toward full implementation of accessibility across an organization.

It has:

  • 6 main categories
  • 3 levels of progress

Additional note: A maturity model is not just about whether one page passes a check. It asks whether accessibility is becoming part of the organization's normal process.

State laws

California

California accessibility law is based on:

  • The ADA
  • The Unruh Civil Rights Act
  • The California Disabled Persons Act, or CDPA

Colorado

Under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, House Bill 21-1110 expands the prohibition by defining discrimination to include two standards.

Other states that have their own specific accessibility laws include:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Connecticut
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana

Accessibility laws in the works

Some laws are currently being proposed or reviewed to be updated.

One prominent example is the Communication, Video, and Technology Act, which would incorporate artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Quick review

Law, standard, or topic Main point
Rehabilitation Act Addresses equal access, employment, transportation, and barriers.
Assistive Technology Act Increases access to and funding for assistive technology.
ADA Civil rights law prohibiting disability discrimination in public accommodation.
Section 508 Requires accessible federal ICT.
ADA Amendments Act Clarifies the definition of disability.
CVAA Covers advanced communication services and products.
ICT Refresh Adopts WCAG 2.0 and updates related ICT requirements.
ADA Title II Update Requires accessible state and local government digital tools and references WCAG 2.1.
Maturity Model Measures organizational accessibility progress.
State laws Some states add their own accessibility requirements.
Proposed laws Emerging technologies, including AI, may be added to future accessibility requirements.

Video and self-study resources

Video links

Self-study links