Article
Digital accessibility beyond the websites
What organizations across industries need to know and do now
March 13, 2026 · Authored by Kyra Bloemer
Digital accessibility is required
Digital accessibility has rapidly evolved from recommended guidance into a regulatory expectation. As organizations across industries expand their reliance on digital platforms, regulators and enforcement agencies are making it clear that digital content must be accessible to individuals with disabilities.
For leaders across higher education, healthcare, the public sector, not-for-profit organizations, the question is no longer whether digital accessibility applies, but how is the organization prepared to meet the spring 2026 expectations?
A clear and evolving regulatory landscape
Digital accessibility requirements are supported in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal civil rights law designed to prevent discrimination and ensure equal access to programs, services, and environments, including digital spaces. Organizations receiving federal funding are also subject to Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Recent updates from enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Health and Human Services, have noted that the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA is the baseline technical standard. While some rules explicitly apply to public entities, not-for-profit organizations are increasingly held to the same expectations through lawsuits, settlement agreements, accreditation requirements and grant conditions.
