WCAG 2.1 kept everything in WCAG 2.0 and added 17 new success criteria covering mobile accessibility, low vision support, and cognitive disabilities. DOJ adopted WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the required standard for state and local government websites under Title II of the ADA. Below is a quick-reference checklist of what’s new and what each item actually requires.
Deadline update (April 2026): DOJ issued an Interim Final Rule pushing compliance back a year. Entities serving populations of 50,000+ now have until April 26, 2027; smaller entities and special districts now have until April 26, 2028. The extension only moves the date — it doesn’t change the WCAG 2.1 AA standard or reduce exposure to Title II nondiscrimination claims in the meantime. Treat the extra year as runway, not a reason to pause. See our full breakdown: DOJ Deadline Extension: Runway, Not Reprieve.
Need the full breakdown of the underlying rule first? See our ADA-compliant web design guide.
Perceivable
Adaptable
Orientation
Content should work in both portrait and landscape orientations unless essential.
(1.3.4, AA)
Identify Input Purpose
Form fields should be coded so screen readers can identify their purpose.
(1.3.5, AA)
Identify Purpose
Buttons, icons, and page sections should be coded so screen readers can identify them.
(1.3.6, AAA)
Distinguishable
Reflow
Content should be viewable without horizontal/vertical scrolling, except for essential 2D layouts.
(1.4.10, AA)
Non-Text Contrast:
Visual elements must have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 with their background.
(1.4.11, AA)
Text Spacing
Adjusting text spacing should not cause loss of content or functionality.
(1.4.12, AA)
Content on Hover or Focus
Additional content appearing on hover or focus must be dismissible, hoverable, and persistent.
(1.4.13, AA)
Operable
Keyboard Accessible
Character Key Shortcuts
Allow turning off, remapping, or making keyboard shortcuts active only on focus.
(2.1.4, A)
Enough Time
Timeouts
Alert users if inactivity might cause data loss, unless data is saved for over 20 hours.
(2.2.6, AAA)
Seizure & Physical Reactions
Animation from Interactions
Users should be able to disable motion animations, unless essential.
(2.3.3, AAA)
Input Modalities
Pointer Gestures
Functions using multipoint gestures must also work with a single pointer unless essential.
(2.5.1, AA)
Pointer Cancellation
Functions must meet one of the following: no down-event, abort or undo, up reversal, or essential.
(2.5.2, AA)
Label in Name
The accessible name for UI components must include the visible text.
(2.5.3, AA)
Motion Actuation
Features controllable by motion must also be operable by standard UI components and have a disable option unless essential.
(2.5.4, AA)
Target Size
Clickable areas must be at least 44x44 CSS pixels unless exceptions apply.
(2.5.5, AAA)
Concurrent Input Mechanisms
Allow users to use any input methods unless restricted for essential reasons, security, or user settings.
(2.5.6, AAA)
Robust
Compatible
Status Messages
Status messages should be coded so assistive technologies can recognize and announce them without needing focus.
(4.1.3, AA)
Who This Ruling Affects and By When
This rule covers state and local governments, public K-12 and higher ed institutions, courts, and special districts — plus any contractor building websites for them.
DOJ’s April 2026 Interim Final Rule extended both deadlines by one year:
- Populations of 50,000+: April 26, 2027 (was April 24, 2026)
- Populations under 50,000, and special districts: April 26, 2028 (was April 26, 2027)
The public comment period on the extension runs through June 22, 2026, but DOJ has signaled it expects to hold the new dates.3
References
1 U.S. Department of Justice. (2024). Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities. Federal Register, 89(78), 24341-24379. Link to the ruling.
2 Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Government Entities: A Small Entity Compliance Guide. ADA.gov. Link to the guide.
3 U.S. Department of Justice. (2026). Extension of Compliance Dates for Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities. Federal Register, 91 Fed. Reg. 20902. Link to the interim final rule
Ensure Your Website Meets the Latest Accessibility Standards
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