If a federal agency buys software, a website, or any tech — it has to be accessible. Period. The 2017 refresh locked in WCAG 2.0 as the standard to measure against.
Civil rights law — prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in public life.
| Title | What It Covers | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Title I | Employment | Equal access to jobs; employers must provide reasonable accommodations; enforced by EEOC |
| Title II | Public Services | State and local government programs must be accessible; enforced by DOJ. 2024 update: government websites and mobile apps must meet WCAG 2.1 — includes community colleges and public schools |
| Title III | Public Accommodations (private businesses) | Must remove barriers and communicate effectively with people with disabilities |
| Title IV | Telecom | Phone and internet companies must provide accessible services nationwide |
| Title V | Miscellaneous provisions | — |
Broadened the definition of disability to reduce barriers to claiming protection. More people could qualify — which expanded the reach of ADA protections significantly.
Requires advanced communications — texting, video, web on mobile — to be accessible. This is the industry-specific law for telecom and media.
Increased access and funding for assistive devices. The 2004 Amendment expanded programs and funding further.
The most recent framework for gauging how well organizations are keeping up with accessibility requirements.