Compliance Laws and Standards

Understand accessibility compliance laws and regulations, as well as globally accepted accessibility standards.

Laws and Standards Overview.

Accessibility laws and standards vary by region and regulation. However, they all share a common purpose: to provide the framework for creating accessible experiences, with clear legal accountability.

Understanding these laws—and the standards that support them—is essential for organizational success.

Here’s an overview of the most widely adopted accessibility laws and standards, helping your organization navigate which laws apply, why they matter, and how to move toward sustainable compliance.

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

    The ADA is civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. Learn about Title II and Title III, and how each may apply to your website, PDFs, and printed communications.

    More about ADA Compliance

  • Section 508

    Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies to make their information and communication technology (ICT) accessible to people with disabilities. But Section 508 also applies to any organization doing business with a federal agency.

    More About Section 508 Compliance

  • European Accessibility Act (EAA)

    The EAA is a European Union (EU) law that requires the accessibility of products and services across the region, in alignment with EN 301 549 standards. The EAA also applies to any organization doing business with customers in the EU.

    More About EAA Compliance

  • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

    WCAG standards are the globally accepted set of standards defining how to make digital content accessible for people with disabilities. Various versions and levels are cited as the standards to follow to comply with certain laws, like Section 508, ADA Title II, and others.

    More about WCAG

  • EN 301 549

    EN 301 549 is the European accessibility standard that defines accessibility requirements for information and communication technology (ICT). It establishes a unified set of technical standards, cited in multiple European directives, to ensure that digital products, documents, and services are accessible to people with disabilities.

    More about EN 301 549

  • Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

    The AODA is a landmark Ontario law designed to create a barrier-free province for people with disabilities. Its Information and Communications Standard requires websites and web content conform with WCAG 2.0 AA–and widely understood to include PDFs.

    More About AODA Compliance

  • HHS Compliance

    A final rule from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) modernizes and strengthens Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and covers nearly every aspect of accessibility for the healthcare and insurance industries.

    More About HHS Compliance

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