DOJ Extends Web Accessibility Deadline

Key Points:

• The U.S. Department of Justice has extended the compliance deadline by one year for colleges, universities, and public entities to meet new federal accessibility guidelines under Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act, citing heavy administrative burdens and overestimated institutional capacities.
• The updated 2024 regulations require publicly funded institutions to ensure all digital content—including PDFs, videos, photographs, and audio—is accessible according to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, with compliance originally due by April 24, 2025.
• Disability advocacy groups criticized the extension, arguing it delays critical access improvements for people with disabilities and undermines civil rights, while the DOJ emphasized the extension allows institutions to focus on compliance rather than litigation risks.
• The interim final rule invites public comments until June 22, and institutions are encouraged to continue working toward compliance despite the deadline extension to maintain momentum in accessibility efforts.
• The DOJ acknowledged that removing some proposed exceptions for course content in the final rule may cause confusion, and the extension provides additional time for entities to understand and meet their obligations.