The U.S. Department of Justice has issued an interim final rule extending key compliance deadlines for state and local governments under the ADA’s web accessibility requirements.
Originally adopted in 2024, the rule requires public entities to ensure that their websites and mobile applications meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards. Under this update, cities and other local governments with populations of 50,000 or more now have until April 26, 2027 to comply, while smaller jurisdictions and special districts have until April 26, 2028.
The extension reflects widespread concerns from local governments about the cost, staffing, and technical challenges of meeting the original deadlines, particularly as technology and tools for accessibility remediation continue to evolve. Importantly, the rule does not change the underlying accessibility requirements—only the timeline for compliance.
Cities should continue progressing toward compliance, as ADA obligations to provide accessible services remain in effect, and the additional time is intended to support more effective, sustainable implementation rather than delay accessibility efforts.