WCAG 2.2 & ADA Web Accessibility Benchmarks
Collection
Browser-verified WCAG 2.2 datasets, 2027-2028 ADA deadlines, LLM prompts & linter by Veduis (https://veduis.com). • 5 items • Updated
event_id stringlengths 15 15 | date timestamp[s]date 1990-07-26 00:00:00 2028-05-10 00:00:00 | event stringlengths 37 94 | jurisdiction stringclasses 5
values | authority stringclasses 8
values | category stringclasses 6
values | applies_to stringlengths 11 101 | technical_standard stringlengths 4 59 | summary stringlengths 50 313 | status stringclasses 3
values | source_url stringlengths 29 184 | source_title stringlengths 13 127 | as_of timestamp[s]date 2026-10-29 00:00:00 2026-10-29 00:00:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ada-timeline-01 | 1990-07-26T00:00:00 | Americans with Disabilities Act signed into law | US | Congress | statute | Employers, state and local governments (Title II), places of public accommodation (Title III) | none specified | The ADA prohibits disability discrimination. Title II covers state and local governments. Title III covers private businesses open to the public. The statute does not mention websites. | past | https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/ada/ | ADA.gov: Americans with Disabilities Act | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-02 | 1998-08-07T00:00:00 | Section 508 amended to require accessible federal electronic and information technology | US | Congress | statute | Federal agencies and their ICT procurement | Access Board standards | The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 strengthened Section 508, creating the procurement-driven requirements federal contractors and vendors still answer to through VPATs. | past | https://www.section508.gov/manage/laws-and-policies/ | Section508.gov: Laws and Policies | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-03 | 2008-12-11T00:00:00 | WCAG 2.0 becomes a W3C Recommendation | International | W3C | standard | Web content | WCAG 2.0 | WCAG 2.0 introduces the four principles and the A, AA, AAA conformance levels. It later became the technical basis for the Section 508 refresh and for early web accessibility settlements. | past | https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/ | W3C: WCAG 2.0 | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-04 | 2017-01-18T00:00:00 | Section 508 Refresh final rule published | US | U.S. Access Board | regulation | Federal agencies and ICT procurement | WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA | The Access Board updated its ICT standards to incorporate WCAG 2.0 A and AA by reference. Federal agencies had to comply starting January 18, 2018. | past | https://www.access-board.gov/ict/ | U.S. Access Board: ICT Standards and Guidelines | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-05 | 2017-12-26T00:00:00 | DOJ withdraws its Title III web accessibility rulemaking | US | Department of Justice | regulation | Private businesses (Title III) | none | DOJ published a notice withdrawing four previously announced ADA rulemakings, including the advance notice on website accessibility for Title III entities. Since then, there has been no federal technical regulation for private-sector websites, so courts and settlements set the working standard. | past | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/12/26/2017-27510/nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-notice-of-withdrawal-of-four-previously-announced | Federal Register: Notice of Withdrawal of Four Previously Announced Rulemaking Actions | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-06 | 2018-06-05T00:00:00 | WCAG 2.1 becomes a W3C Recommendation | International | W3C | standard | Web content | WCAG 2.1 | WCAG 2.1 adds 17 success criteria focused on mobile, low vision, and cognitive accessibility. It is the standard named in the DOJ Title II rule and the HHS Section 504 rule. | past | https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/ | W3C: WCAG 2.1 | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-07 | 2019-01-15T00:00:00 | Ninth Circuit holds ADA applies to Domino's website and app (Robles v. Domino's Pizza) | US (9th Circuit) | U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit | litigation | Private businesses with a physical nexus to websites and apps | none specified | The Ninth Circuit held that the ADA applies to a business website and app that connect customers to goods and services of a physical place of public accommodation. It also said due process did not bar the claim even though DOJ had issued no web regulation. | past | https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2019/01/15/17-55504.pdf | Ninth Circuit opinion, No. 17-55504 | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-08 | 2021-01-01T00:00:00 | Ontario AODA deadline for large organizations to meet WCAG 2.0 AA on public websites | Canada (Ontario) | Government of Ontario | deadline | Designated public sector organizations and large private and non-profit organizations (50+ employees) | WCAG 2.0 Level AA | Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, covered organizations had to make public websites and web content published after January 1, 2012 conform to WCAG 2.0 AA by January 1, 2021, with exceptions for live captions and pre-recorded audio description. | past | https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-make-websites-accessible | Ontario.ca: How to make websites accessible | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-09 | 2022-03-18T00:00:00 | DOJ issues guidance on web accessibility and the ADA | US | Department of Justice | guidance | State and local governments (Title II) and businesses (Title III) | WCAG referenced as one way to comply | DOJ restated its longstanding position that the ADA applies to web content and described practical steps. The guidance is not a regulation and does not name a mandatory standard for Title III. | past | https://www.ada.gov/resources/web-guidance/ | ADA.gov: Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-10 | 2023-10-05T00:00:00 | WCAG 2.2 becomes a W3C Recommendation | International | W3C | standard | Web content | WCAG 2.2 | WCAG 2.2 adds nine success criteria (including Target Size Minimum, Dragging Movements, Focus Not Obscured, and Accessible Authentication) and removes 4.1.1 Parsing. It is backward compatible with WCAG 2.1. | past | https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/ | W3C: WCAG 2.2 | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-11 | 2024-04-24T00:00:00 | DOJ publishes the Title II web and mobile app accessibility final rule | US | Department of Justice | regulation | State and local government entities (Title II) | WCAG 2.1 Level AA | The final rule (28 CFR Part 35) requires web content and mobile apps of state and local governments to conform to WCAG 2.1 AA. Original compliance dates were April 24, 2026 (population 50,000 or more) and April 26, 2027 (smaller entities and special districts). | past | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/24/2024-07758/nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-accessibility-of-web-information-and-services-of-state-and-local-government | Federal Register: Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-12 | 2024-05-09T00:00:00 | HHS publishes the Section 504 web, mobile app, and kiosk accessibility final rule | US | Department of Health and Human Services | regulation | Recipients of HHS federal financial assistance | WCAG 2.1 Level AA | The rule requires recipients of HHS financial assistance to make web content and mobile apps conform to WCAG 2.1 AA. Original compliance dates were May 11, 2026 (15 or more employees) and May 10, 2027 (fewer than 15 employees). | past | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/09/2024-09237/nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-in-programs-or-activities-receiving-federal-financial | Federal Register: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-13 | 2025-06-28T00:00:00 | European Accessibility Act requirements start to apply | EU | European Parliament and Council | statute | Covered consumer products and services, including e-commerce, banking services, and e-books | EN 301 549 (which incorporates WCAG 2.1 AA for web content) | Directive (EU) 2019/882 sets accessibility requirements for a defined list of products and services offered to EU consumers. Member states apply national laws from June 28, 2025. Microenterprises providing services have a limited exemption. | past | https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/882/oj | EUR-Lex: Directive (EU) 2019/882 | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-14 | 2026-04-20T00:00:00 | DOJ extends Title II web rule compliance dates by one year (Interim Final Rule) | US | Department of Justice | regulation | State and local government entities (Title II) | WCAG 2.1 Level AA | The Interim Final Rule (91 FR 20902) moves the compliance date for entities with a population of 50,000 or more from April 24, 2026 to April 26, 2027, and for smaller entities and special district governments from April 26, 2027 to April 26, 2028. The WCAG 2.1 AA standard and the scope of the rule are unchanged. | past | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/20/2026-07663/extension-of-compliance-dates-for-nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-accessibility-of-web | Federal Register: Extension of Compliance Dates (DOJ Title II) | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-15 | 2026-04-24T00:00:00 | Original DOJ Title II compliance date for entities serving 50,000 or more people (superseded) | US | Department of Justice | deadline | State and local government entities with a population of 50,000 or more | WCAG 2.1 Level AA | Superseded by the April 20, 2026 Interim Final Rule. Still cited incorrectly in many guides and vendor pages. | superseded | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/20/2026-07663/extension-of-compliance-dates-for-nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-accessibility-of-web | Federal Register: Extension of Compliance Dates (DOJ Title II) | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-16 | 2026-05-11T00:00:00 | HHS extends Section 504 web rule compliance dates by one year (Interim Final Rule) | US | Department of Health and Human Services | regulation | Recipients of HHS federal financial assistance | WCAG 2.1 Level AA | The Interim Final Rule (91 FR 25496) moves the compliance date for recipients with 15 or more employees from May 11, 2026 to May 11, 2027, and for recipients with fewer than 15 employees from May 10, 2027 to May 10, 2028. | past | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/11/2026-09266/extension-of-compliance-dates-for-nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-accessibility-of-web | Federal Register: Extension of Compliance Dates (HHS Section 504) | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-17 | 2026-05-11T00:00:00 | Original HHS Section 504 compliance date for recipients with 15 or more employees (superseded) | US | Department of Health and Human Services | deadline | Recipients of HHS financial assistance with 15 or more employees | WCAG 2.1 Level AA | Superseded by the May 11, 2026 Interim Final Rule. | superseded | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/11/2026-09266/extension-of-compliance-dates-for-nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-accessibility-of-web | Federal Register: Extension of Compliance Dates (HHS Section 504) | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-18 | 2027-04-26T00:00:00 | DOJ Title II compliance date: state and local governments with population of 50,000 or more | US | Department of Justice | deadline | State and local government entities with a population of 50,000 or more | WCAG 2.1 Level AA | Web content and mobile apps must conform to WCAG 2.1 AA, subject to the exceptions listed in the rule. | upcoming | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/20/2026-07663/extension-of-compliance-dates-for-nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-accessibility-of-web | Federal Register: Extension of Compliance Dates (DOJ Title II) | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-19 | 2027-05-11T00:00:00 | HHS Section 504 compliance date: recipients with 15 or more employees | US | Department of Health and Human Services | deadline | Recipients of HHS financial assistance with 15 or more employees | WCAG 2.1 Level AA | Web content and mobile apps must conform to WCAG 2.1 AA. | upcoming | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/11/2026-09266/extension-of-compliance-dates-for-nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-accessibility-of-web | Federal Register: Extension of Compliance Dates (HHS Section 504) | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-20 | 2028-04-26T00:00:00 | DOJ Title II compliance date: population under 50,000 and special district governments | US | Department of Justice | deadline | Public entities with a population under 50,000 and special district governments | WCAG 2.1 Level AA | Web content and mobile apps must conform to WCAG 2.1 AA, subject to the exceptions listed in the rule. | upcoming | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/20/2026-07663/extension-of-compliance-dates-for-nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-accessibility-of-web | Federal Register: Extension of Compliance Dates (DOJ Title II) | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
ada-timeline-21 | 2028-05-10T00:00:00 | HHS Section 504 compliance date: recipients with fewer than 15 employees | US | Department of Health and Human Services | deadline | Recipients of HHS financial assistance with fewer than 15 employees | WCAG 2.1 Level AA | Web content and mobile apps must conform to WCAG 2.1 AA. | upcoming | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/11/2026-09266/extension-of-compliance-dates-for-nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-accessibility-of-web | Federal Register: Extension of Compliance Dates (HHS Section 504) | 2026-10-29T00:00:00 |
Web Accessibility Law and Deadline Timeline
A sourced timeline of the laws, rules, standards, court decisions, and deadlines that govern web accessibility in the US, with Canadian and EU reference points. Every row has a primary-source link, and every link was checked to resolve before publication. Data is current as of 2026-10-29.
It exists because the single most common error in accessibility guides is a wrong or stale deadline. The DOJ Title II web rule and the HHS Section 504 rule were both extended by one year in 2026, and many pages still quote the original dates. This dataset records the original dates as superseded and the current ones as upcoming.
Current compliance dates
| Rule | Who | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| DOJ ADA Title II web rule (WCAG 2.1 AA) | State and local governments, population 50,000 or more | April 26, 2027 (was April 24, 2026) |
| DOJ ADA Title II web rule (WCAG 2.1 AA) | Population under 50,000, and special district governments | April 26, 2028 (was April 26, 2027) |
| HHS Section 504 web rule (WCAG 2.1 AA) | Recipients of HHS funds with 15 or more employees | May 11, 2027 (was May 11, 2026) |
| HHS Section 504 web rule (WCAG 2.1 AA) | Recipients of HHS funds with fewer than 15 employees | May 10, 2028 (was May 10, 2027) |
Private businesses (ADA Title III) have no federal web accessibility regulation and no compliance date. DOJ withdrew its Title III web rulemaking in December 2017. Exposure comes from lawsuits and demand letters, which generally point to WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 AA as the benchmark. The Title II and Section 504 extensions do not change a private business's legal exposure.
Columns
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
event_id |
Stable ID |
date |
ISO date of the event or deadline |
event |
Short headline |
jurisdiction |
US, Canada (Ontario), EU, or International |
authority |
The body that issued it |
category |
statute, regulation, standard, guidance, litigation, or deadline |
applies_to |
Who is covered |
technical_standard |
The technical standard named, such as WCAG 2.1 Level AA |
summary |
What happened and why it matters |
status |
past, upcoming, or superseded |
source_url |
Primary source (Federal Register, ADA.gov, W3C, court opinion, EUR-Lex, and similar) |
source_title |
Title of the source |
as_of |
Date the data was last checked |
Usage
from datasets import load_dataset
tl = load_dataset("VeduisWeb/ada-web-accessibility-regulatory-timeline", split="train")
upcoming = tl.filter(lambda r: r["status"] == "upcoming")
for r in sorted(upcoming, key=lambda r: r["date"]):
print(r["date"], r["event"])
Sources and method
- Rule text and dates come from the Federal Register: the DOJ Title II final rule (April 24, 2024), the DOJ extension Interim Final Rule (91 FR 20902, April 20, 2026), the HHS Section 504 final rule (May 9, 2024), and the HHS extension Interim Final Rule (91 FR 25496, May 11, 2026). The extension dates were read from each rule's published abstract.
- Standards dates come from the W3C Recommendation pages for WCAG 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2.
- The court decision row links to the Ninth Circuit's published opinion.
- 21 events, 4 of them upcoming deadlines.
Limitations
- Not legal advice. Deadlines, exceptions, and entity definitions have details that this table summarizes. Read the rule before relying on a date.
- This is a selective timeline of the events that matter most for web accessibility, not a full legal history. State laws (such as California's Unruh Civil Rights Act and New York's human rights laws) and many other countries are not covered.
- Rules can change again. Check the
as_ofcolumn and the source links.
Related resources from Veduis
- ADA website lawsuit trends for how Title III exposure plays out in practice.
- How to respond to an ADA website demand letter.
- Reference table of WCAG criteria and verified HTML fail and pass pairs.
- vComplianceScanner for monitoring conformance across a whole site.
Citation
@dataset{veduis_ada_timeline_2026,
author = {Veduis},
title = {Web Accessibility Law and Deadline Timeline},
year = {2026},
publisher = {Hugging Face},
url = {https://huggingface.co/datasets/VeduisWeb/ada-web-accessibility-regulatory-timeline}
}
Maintained by Veduis. Spot an error or a new rule? Open a discussion in the Community tab.
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