Web and digital accessibility is regulated by law in a growing number of
countries. Most national legislation references the Web Content Accessibility
Guidelines (WCAG) as the technical standard, though the specific level
required, the organisations affected, and enforcement mechanisms vary
significantly between jurisdictions.
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European Union
The Web Accessibility Directive (2016) requires public sector websites and
mobile apps to meet EN 301 549 (which incorporates WCAG 2.1 AA). The
European Accessibility Act (2025) extends requirements to private sector
products and services.
United Kingdom
The Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 require public
sector websites to meet WCAG 2.1 AA. The Equality Act 2010 applies to
private sector organisations providing services to the public.
Norway
The Anti-discrimination Accessibility Act requires WCAG 2.0 AA compliance
for ICT solutions aimed at the general public.
Germany
The Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung (BITV 2.0) requires
federal public sector websites to meet WCAG 2.1 AA.
[2]
United States
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies to meet
WCAG 2.0 AA. Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act has been
applied to private sector websites through litigation.
Canada
The Accessible Canada Act (2019) applies to federally regulated organisations.
The AODA in Ontario requires WCAG 2.0 AA for organisations operating in the
province.
Mexico
NMX-I-271-NYCE-2022 establishes WCAG 2.1 AA requirements for government
digital services.
Australia
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 has been applied to websites.
Government websites are required to meet WCAG 2.1 AA under the Digital
Service Standard.
Japan
JIS X 8341-3:2016 is the Japanese Industrial Standard for web accessibility,
equivalent to WCAG 2.0 at Level AA.
India
Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW 3.0) require WCAG 2.0 Level
A for government websites, with Level AA strongly recommended.
New Zealand
The New Zealand Government Web Accessibility Standard requires WCAG 2.1 AA
for government websites.
[2]
Brazil
e-MAG (Modelo de Acessibilidade em Governo Eletrônico) requires WCAG 2.0
compliance for federal government websites.
Argentina
Law 26.653 requires public sector websites to meet WCAG 2.0 standards.
Israel
Israeli Standard 5568 requires WCAG 2.0 compliance for websites, with some
modifications to reflect local language requirements.
The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative maintains a comprehensive and regularly
updated database of web accessibility laws and policies by country.
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Last edited Apr 7, 2026, 7:23 PM · P**** J****