Federal Websites and the ADA

Q: Are federal websites covered by the ADA?

A: No. Because of the way that it was written, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not apply to federal agencies or departments in general—and that includes their websites. Instead, different sections of the Rehabilitation Act apply to different aspects of federal agencies and departments. The section of the Rehabilitation Act that covers federal websites is Section 508. Section 508 requires federal agencies to ensure that the electronic and information technology that they develop, procure, maintain, or use is accessible to people with disabilities.

More specifically, federal agencies must comply with the information and communication technology (ICT) standards created by the US Access Board. You can find out more about these standards on the IT Accessibility Laws and Policies page of the Section508.gov website.

More generally, even though federal websites are not covered by the ADA, they still must be accessible because of a provision in the Rehabilitation Act.