Website Compliance Standards for ADA Accessibility
Updated for 2025: ADA, WCAG 2.2 AA, and Section 508 Standards
Is Your Website Accessible to Everyone?
Accessibility is more than a trend—it's a legal and ethical obligation. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed in 1990, prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including digital spaces. Since then, accessibility expectations have expanded significantly, especially regarding websites and digital services.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has consistently affirmed that websites are considered places of public accommodation under the ADA. As of 2024, compliance with WCAG 2.2 Level AA is recognized as the standard benchmark for accessible web design and development.
A Brief History: How Website Accessibility Evolved
In the early 2000s, the Department of Justice encouraged businesses and government entities to begin voluntary compliance with web accessibility. At the time, few websites were built with accessibility in mind. Fast-forward to today: Digital access is vital for employment, education, healthcare, and communication. Accessibility is no longer optional.
Increased litigation, DOJ enforcement, and evolving technology have made compliance a necessity for businesses of all sizes. Responsive, mobile-first websites are now standard—and with those advancements comes the responsibility to ensure inclusivity for users of all abilities.
Who Must Comply?
According to the ADA and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the following are required to maintain accessible websites:
- Private employers with 15 or more employees
- Businesses and non-profits that receive federal funding, benefits, or tax-exempt status (501(c)(3))
- Federal, state, and local government agencies
- Public accommodations (e.g., healthcare providers, retailers, banks, education institutions)
- Private clubs and religious organizations remain exempt, but voluntary compliance is still encouraged to promote inclusive access.
Important: Receiving federal funds—even indirectly—triggers Section 508 compliance requirements, including adherence to WCAG standards.
Current Web Accessibility Standards (2025)
- WCAG 2.2 Level AA (published October 2023) is the current best practice standard recognized by the DOJ and used in legal settlements.
- Section 508 was refreshed in 2018 to align with WCAG 2.0 AA, but it is expected that an update to WCAG 2.2 will soon be officially adopted.
- “Meaningful Access” rules under the ACA and Medicaid require healthcare providers and services to offer accessible electronic information and digital tools.
To stay compliant and reduce legal risk, your website should meet or exceed WCAG 2.2 AA standards now.
What Does Accessibility Include?
- A compliant website must ensure the following:
- Perceivable content for all users (e.g., alt text for images, captions for videos)
- Operable navigation (e.g., keyboard navigation, accessible forms)
- Understandable content and layout (e.g., readable fonts, consistent design)
- Robust compatibility with assistive technologies (e.g., screen readers)
T
ools and Resources:
- Automated testing tools like WAVE & Lighthouse
- Manual audits using screen readers and keyboard-only navigation
- Plugins and widgets that support:
- Font resizing
- High contrast modes
- Multi-language accessibility
- ARIA labeling and semantic HTML
Compliance also involves manual work such as improving semantic HTML, adding alt attributes, correcting tab orders, and ensuring proper color contrast.
Why It Matters
- Legal risk: Non-compliant sites face lawsuits from users, advocacy groups, or the DOJ.
- Reputation: Accessibility shows commitment to inclusivity and good digital citizenship.
- User experience: A compliant site performs better for everyone, not just users with disabilities.
Get Help Making Your Site Compliant
Whether you're starting from scratch or improving an existing website, we can help bring your digital presence into compliance with current accessibility laws and best practices.
Call 815-223-1052 and ask for the Website Services Department. Let’s work together to build a more inclusive web.
Resources for Compliance and Accessibility
- WCAG 2.2 Guidelines: https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/
- WAVE Accessibility Tool: https://wave.webaim.org
- DOJ Guidance on Web Accessibility: https://www.ada.gov/resources/web-guidance/
- Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments: https://www.ada.gov/resources/2024-03-08-web-rule/
- ADA Cases and Settlements: https://www.ada.gov/cases/
- WebAIM WCAG Checklist: https://webaim.org/standards/wcag/checklist