Final Rule on Web Accessibility

Page Summary

The Department of Justice's new rule requires public entities, including Western Washington University, to make their online content and services accessible to people with disabilities. This is done by following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at the AA level.

The rule applies to websites, mobile apps, digital documents, and online course content (including Canvas and all posted materials) created or managed by university staff, faculty, and students working at Western.

There are some exceptions, which are listed in the exceptions section of the rule. Public entities of 50,000 such as WWU must comply by April 24, 2026. For more information, visit ADA.gov or the Federal Register.

Overview of the final rule

The final rule on web accessibility is a new regulation under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The rule was published in April 2024 by the Department of Justice (DOJ). It outlines how public entities, states and local governments need to make their digital content, programs, and services accessible. 

What's required to comply

The rule requires public universities like Western Washington University to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at the AA level, at a minimum. This standard applies to all web and mobile content available to the public or used in university services, programs, and activities.

We suggest meeting higher levels of WCAG where possible. This can mean supporting WCAG 2.2 criteria or meeting the AAA level of 2.1 criteria.

Who's required to comply

The final rule applies to Western staff, faculty, or students working in an official university capacity that create or manage:

  • websites and/or web content, 
  • mobile apps,
  • digital documents, or
  • digital course content.

Content covered under this rule

The following types of content must be accessible (for exceptions, see the "Rule exceptions" section):

Websites and web content

Any content coded and used for user agents like browsers or assistive technology. Web content can include text, media (image/video), interactive elements (forms/chat/widgets), animation, or digital document content.

Mobile apps and sites

Software or sites designed to work on mobile devices and interfaces, including smartphones, e-readers, tablets, and smartwatches.

Electronic documents

Digital content created or shared as one of the following formats: 

  • portable document format (PDF), 
  • word processing format (Microsoft Word, Google Docs or similar), 
  • spreadsheet format (Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets or similar),
  • presentation slide format (Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, or similar)

Digital academic content

Any of the previously mentioned types of content specifically used in course content or academic platforms (example: documents uploaded to Canvas, or page content created in Canvas).

Rule exceptions

The final rule has some limited exceptions where the content doesn't need to meet WCAG 2.1 at the AA level. You can find examples and more info on these exceptions in the final rule fact sheet.

Timeline to comply

Public entities with populations of 50,000 or more persons, including Western Washington University, must comply with the Title II rule by April 24, 2026.

Where to learn more

Have questions?

If you have questions about the final rule, please reach out to the CRTC at crtc@wwu.edu.

If you have questions about the accessibility of a Western web site or app, please reach out to Web Communication Technologies at webhelp@wwu.edu.