--- [ ![acquia optimize product page](/sites/default/files/styles/product_header_icon/public/media/image/2024-04/Monsido%20by%20Acquia%20Logo.png?itok=665xcojC) Acquia Web Governance ](/products/acquia-web-governance) - [Features](/products/acquia-web-governance/features) - [All Features](/products/acquia-web-governance/features) - [Accessibility](/products/acquia-web-governance/features/web-accessibility) - [Browser Extension](/products/acquia-web-governance/features/browser-extension) - [Heartbeat](/products/acquia-web-governance/features/heartbeat) - [Policies](/products/acquia-web-governance/features/policy) - [Quality Assurance](/products/acquia-web-governance/features/quality-assurance) - [SEO](/products/acquia-web-governance/features/seo) - [Statistics](/products/acquia-web-governance/features/statistics) - [Add Ons](/products/acquia-web-governance/features) - [Consent Manager](/products/acquia-web-governance/consent-manager) - [Data Privacy](/products/acquia-web-governance/data-privacy) - [Heatmaps](/products/acquia-web-governance/heatmaps) - [PageAssist™](/products/acquia-web-governance/pageassist) - [PageCorrect™](/products/acquia-web-governance/pagecorrect) - [Performance](/products/acquia-web-governance/performance) - [Integrations](/products/acquia-web-governance/integrations) - [Use Cases](/products/acquia-web-governance/use-cases) - [Resources](/resources?product%5B0%5D=432141) - [Blog](https://www.acquia.com/blog/series/accessibility-and-inclusion) - [Customer Stories](https://www.acquia.com/resources/case-studies?industry=&product=432141&page=0) - [Intro to Web Accessibility](/web-accessibility) - [Overview of Accessibility Legislation](/accessibility-legislation-overview) - [Benchmark Reports](/products/acquia-web-governance/resources/benchmarks) - [Tools](/products/acquia-web-governance/tools) - [Support and Training](/products/acquia-web-governance/support) - [Pricing](/products/acquia-web-governance/pricing) [Get a Free Scan](/products/acquia-web-governance/get-scan) [Login](https://login.monsido.com/) ## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/) 2. Web Accessibility Legislation Overview # Web Accessibility Legislation Overview Familiarize yourself with web accessibility legislation, find out what different laws entail, and review standards for compliance. ![Illustration of the globe with an accessibility logo](/sites/default/files/styles/text_with_floating_image_desktop/public/media/image/2024-04/Global%20Accessibility%20Illustration.png?h=6f5acbb2&itok=odYSdIEv) ## **Web Accessibility Legislation vs. WCAG** Web accessibility legislation has increasingly been adopted by different countries and states. Legislation has been aimed at building awareness around the need for greater website accessibility — and enforcing it. An important note is that while most legislation imposes the risk of penalties, they have not set their own standards for compliance. Most refer to the internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), and require compliance with one of their published versions. ## The United States In the United States, web accessibility legislation is primarily enforced by the [Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title III](/web-accessibility-legislation/ada "Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title III") and [the Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973](/web-accessibility-legislation/section-508 "the Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973"). The ADA requires websites that operate as a public accommodation to be accessible, whereas Section 508 mandates that federal agencies ensure that their electronic and information technology is accessible. In recent years, many states have passed their own laws and legislation related to web accessibility. United States **California** California has enacted the Unruh Act that not only strictly enforces website accessibility, but also entitles plaintiffs to $4,000 compensation per infraction of the legislation. [More on California](/web-accessibility-legislation/california "Web Accessibility Legislation in California") United States **New York** In New York, the NYS P08-005 law establishes minimum accessibility requirements for web-based Information and applications by state entities. [More on New York](/web-accessibility-legislation/new-york "Web Accessibility Legislation in New York") United States **Florida** As part of the Eleventh Circuit, the courts of Florida have historically not viewed websites as a public accommodation as put forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). [More on Florida](/web-accessibility-legislation/florida "Web Accessibility Legislation in Florida") United States **Colorado** Colorado has enacted House Bill 21-1110 “The Colorado Laws For Persons With Disabilities” requiring a higher degree of web accessibility compliance for government information technology. [More on Colorado](/web-accessibility-legislation/colorado "Web Accessibility Legislation in Colorado") United States **Illiniois** Illinois has passed House Bill 26 requiring a higher degree of digital accessibility, and compliance with WCAG 2.1 amongst all K-12 schools by August 1, 2022. [More on Illinois](/web-accessibility-legislation/illinois "Web Accessibility Legislation in Illinois") United States **Virginia** Virginia’s Information Technology Access Act helps people to participate equally in crucial areas of life, such as education and employment. [More on Virginia](/web-accessibility-legislation/virginia "Web Accessibility Legislation in Virginia") United States **Washington** Washington State has enacted the IT Accessibility Policy 188 intended to ensure equal access data and web accessibility for people with disabilities. [More on Washington](/web-accessibility-legislation/washington "Web Accessibility Legislation in Washington") United States **Minnesota** Minnesota's Accessible Technology Bill (H.F. 1744) requires state government to adopt standards based on Section 508 and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0). [More on Minnesota](/web-accessibility-legislation/minnesota "Web Accessibility Legislation in Minnesota") United States **Maryland** The Maryland Information Technology Non Visual Access Regulatory Standards includes all Section 508 regulations as well as a number of state-specific regulations. [More on Maryland](/web-accessibility-legislation/maryland "Web Accessibility Legislation in Maryland") United States **Arizona** Arizona accessibility standards apply to all websites for all public state offices, branches, and departments, as well as organizations that receive state funding. [More on Arizona](/web-accessibility-legislation/arizona "Web Accessibility Legislation in Arizona") ## Canada In Canada, all government websites are mandated to be accessible per the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and there Common Look and Feel (CLF) standards currently require compliance with WCAG 2.0. Several provinces have taken notable steps to adopting web accessibility compliance legislation. Most notably, Ontario with its [Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)](/web-accessibility-legislation/aoda "Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)"). Other provinces also have similar acts and legislation in progress. Canada **Ontario** The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is enforced in Ontario to identify, remove, and prevent digital barriers for people with disabilities. [More on Ontario](/web-accessibility-legislation/aoda "Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)") Canada **Manitoba** The Accessibility for Manitobans Act was passed in December 2013, with a commitment to achieve an inclusive Manitoba for everyone by 2023. [More on Manitoba](https://www.classaction.org/news/insomnia-cookies-krispy-kreme-violated-federal-new-york-labor-statutes-lawsuit-alleges) Canada **Nova Scotia** Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Act aims to remove barriers to accessibility in information and communications by 2030. [More on Nova Scotia](/web-accessibility-legislation/canada "Web Accessibility in Canada: An Overview") Canada **British Columbia** The British Columbia Accessibility Act aims to make the province inclusive in accordance with WCAG 2.0 (AA) by 2024. [More on British Columbia](/web-accessibility-legislation/canada "Web Accessibility in Canada: An Overview") ## Europe In Europe, accessibility legislation is primarily governed by the European Union and there are currently two primary pieces of legislation governing accessibility. In the UK, accessibility legislation is similar to the EU as they adopted many of the same principles while still a member state. Europe **EU Web Accessibility Directive** The European Union (EU) Web Accessibility Directive requires EU member states to ensure that public sector bodies meet web accessibility standards. [More on the EU Directive](/web-accessibility-legislation/eu-directive "EU Web Accessibility Directive") Europe **UK Accessibility Regulations** The UK Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations from 2018 mandates the accessibility of websites and mobile applications. [More on UK Regulations](/web-accessibility-legislation/uk "Accessibility Laws in the United Kingdom") Europe **European Accessibility Act** The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a directive of the EU that legally requires EU member states to enact various accessibility requirements by 2025. [More on the EAA](/web-accessibility-legislation/eaa "The European Accessibility Act (EAA)") ## Asia-Pacific Website accessibility regulations in the Asia-Pacific region are mandated by national laws and legislations. Accessibility legislation is slowly gaining traction, and there is a growing interest and focus on ensuring digital inclusivity and accessibility. Asia-Pacific **Australian Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1992** Under the DDA legislation, the provision of accessible information and online services through the web is a legal requirement. [More on the DDA](/web-accessibility-legislation/australian-dda "Australian Disability Discrimination Act 1992") Asia-Pacific **New Zealand Web Accessibility Standard 1.1** The standard mandates that all public service and non-public service agencies must ensure that their websites meet WCAG standard 2.1. [More on New Zealand 1.1](https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/design-and-ux/accessibility/) Singapore **Singapore’s Enabling Masterplan 2030** National roadmaps for the government and community to better work together and support people with disabilities. [More on the the Masterplan](/web-accessibility-legislation/singapore "Accessibility Laws in Singapore") Want More Information on Web Accessibility? ##### See How Accessible Web Content, Design, and Tools That Can Benefit Everyone [Learn About Web Accessibility](/web-accessibility) ## Identify Your Website’s Biggest Issues Find out if you're delivering the best possible web experience for your visitors. 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