--- [ ![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 3. Web Accessibility Legislation in California **Web Accessibility** # **Legislation in California** See how your website stacks up compared to web accessibility legislation in California. [Scan My Site](/products/acquia-web-governance/get-scan "Get a Free Scan") ![Illustration of the profile of the state of California with accessibility and compliance graphics](/sites/default/files/styles/feature_component_50x50_desktop/public/media/image/2024-04/California_Legisation%20Graphic.png?itok=Oo5S3Zq7) ## An Overview of Legislation in California Beyond the federal ADA and Section 508 regulations, California has some of the strictest legislation when it comes to web accessibility, and there are two main pieces of legislation that dictate compliance. The first state-level legislation is the [California Assembly Bill 434](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB434 "California Assembly Bill 434"). Introduced in 2019, it mandates all state agencies comply with WCAG 2.0 AA. In addition to this legislation, the state has also enacted the California Civil Code §51, more commonly known as the Unruh Civil Rights Act. The Unruh Act applies to businesses, and most notably offers monetary relief to individual that have been subject to discrimination. ## Disclaimer The information in this article is made available by Acquia Inc. and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates and is for informational purposes only so as to provide its customers with a general understanding of current legal developments. It should not be construed as providing specific legal advice, and you acknowledge that no attorney/client relationship exists between you or any third party and Acquia Inc. and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates. This article should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed lawyer in your jurisdiction. ## **What You Need To Know About Web Accessibility in California** --- - ### **What is California Assembly Bill 434?** Signed into law in 2017, the California Assembly Bill 434 came [into effect on July 1, 2019](https://openstates.org/ca/bills/20172018/AB434/ "into effect on July 1, 2019"). It mandates that all state agencies and entities ensure that their websites live up to web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) standards 2.0, level AA. Are there any other requirements related to the California Assembly Bill 434? Yes, it is required the Director or Chief Information Officers of state agencies biennially publish a signed web accessibility certificate stating that they are in compliance with the specified version. - ### **What is the Unruh Act?** The Unruh Civil Rights Act prohibits businesses from discriminating against individuals, and this includes ensuring that their websites are inclusive and accessible for all. - ### **Who does it apply to?** The law applies to all businesses and establishments in California. In certain interpretations, the law has also been applied to businesses and establishments located in other states, but whose services are available to California residents via their website. - ### **What are the penalties for non-conformance?** Under the Unruh Act, plaintiffs are eligible entitled to $4,000 in monetary relief for each time they are subject to discrimination. In the case of website accessibility, that would be in relation to each time the plaintiff visits a website and faces a barrier to accessing information or completing an online service, for example making an online order or purchase. ## A Few Landmark Website Accessibility Cases in California ‎ United States **California Wineries** In 2022, California wineries and vineyards were hit with lawsuits based on a failure to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) specifically relating to the accessibility of their websites. [More on the Case](https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wine/article/50-Bay-Area-wineries-got-hit-with-disability-17079937.php) United States **Gomez v. Tribecca, Inc.** In this case a Central California judge found that plaintiff did not have standing for the website accessibility lawsuit, as the individual could not demonstrate downstream consequences of visiting the website. [More on the Case](https://www.adatitleiii.com/2022/05/website-accessibility-plaintiff-loses-after-federal-trial-on-standing-and-other-grounds/#:~:text=Seyfarth%20Synopsis%3A%20A%20California%20federal,they%20are%20physically%20in%20California.) United States **Potter Handy v. Small Businesses** A law firm in the Bay Area was prosecuted by the San Francisco and Los Angeles District Attorneys Offices for wrongfully asserting that small businesses were not living up to ADA website accessibility standards. [More on the Case](https://www.courthousenews.com/law-firm-accused-of-ada-shakedown-of-small-businesses/) ## Resource to Help You Get Started - [Image ![](/sites/default/files/styles/card_tablet/public/media/image/2024-10/Blog%20Graphic-Accessibility%20and%20Inclusion-7%20Tech%20Tools%20which%20Help%20People%20With%20Disabilities%20Access%20the%20Web.png?h=10d202d3&itok=S8mdiAO3) Blog Article 8 min ###### 7 Tech Tools To Help People With Disabilities Access the Web Learn about seven assistive technology tools that help people with physical disabilities and visual impairment to access and explore websites. Accessibility & Inclusion Accessibility and Inclusion ](/blog/tools-web-accessibility-for-disability) - [Image ![](/sites/default/files/styles/card_tablet/public/media/image/2024-10/Blog%20Graphic-Accessibility%20and%20Inclusion-12%20Common%20Web%20Accessibility%20Issues%20for%20the%20Visually%20Impaired.png?h=10d202d3&itok=8l1veVwD) Blog Article 11 min ###### 12 Common Web Accessibility Issues for Visual Impairment Visual disability is one of the most common disabilities among children and adults. Learn how they can affect a user's experience on the web. Accessibility & Inclusion Accessibility and Inclusion ](/blog/accessibility-issues-visual-impairment) - [Image ![](/sites/default/files/styles/card_tablet/public/media/image/2024-10/Blog%20Graphic-Accessibility%20and%20Inclusion-Website%20Accessibility%20Testing.png?h=10d202d3&itok=97pbE4nk) Blog Article 10 min ###### Website Accessibility Testing: Offering the Best User Experience Web accessibility testing is an aspect of usability testing conducted to see if your website can be used by people with disabilities. Learn more. Accessibility & Inclusion Accessibility and Inclusion ](/blog/accessibility-testing) Make Your Website Better ##### Find out how to make your website optimization process efficient and effective. [Get a Free Scan](/products/acquia-web-governance/get-scan)