7 days FREE Trial Unlimited pageviews & user session for all plans
What to Know About Web Accessibility Laws in 2025
Mar 4, 2025
TL;DR - Accessibility laws worldwide are evolving in 2025. The ADA, EAA, AODA, and similar regulations are enforcing stricter digital accessibility standards. Companies must stay updated on legal requirements and implement WCAG-based compliance measures to avoid penalties.
Introduction
Web accessibility laws are becoming more stringent worldwide, requiring businesses, organizations, and government entities to ensure their digital platforms are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Understanding these evolving regulations is critical for compliance and risk mitigation.
Key Web Accessibility Laws Around the World
Rather than focusing solely on ADA compliance, 2025 sees an increased push for global accessibility enforcement.
United States: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) & Section 508
The ADA continues to be interpreted to include websites as places of public accommodation. Section 508 requires federal agencies and contractors to meet accessibility standards. Recent legal trends show an increase in lawsuits for non-compliant businesses.
European Union: European Accessibility Act (EAA)
The EAA requires accessibility for digital products and services by 2025. Covers e-commerce platforms, financial services, and transportation websites. Aligns with WCAG 2.1 AA as the official benchmark.
Canada: Accessible Canada Act (ACA) & AODA
The ACA mandates federal institutions comply with digital accessibility standards. AODA (Ontario-specific law) requires private and public entities to meet WCAG standards.
United Kingdom: Equality Act 2010 & Public Sector Accessibility Regulations
Public sector websites must meet WCAG 2.1 AA compliance. Businesses must provide reasonable adjustments for digital accessibility.
Australia: Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
Applies to digital platforms and has been the basis for significant legal cases. Read more about web accessibility in Australia.
Other Notable Laws
Brazil: Enforces WCAG compliance for both public and private websites. Israel: Strict accessibility regulations impact commercial digital platforms. Read more about web accessibility in Israel. India: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act includes web accessibility mandates. Read more about web accessibility in India.
Recent Legal Trends & Global Enforcement
Stronger enforcement mechanisms in Europe, Canada, and Australia indicate increasing penalties for non-compliance.
More lawsuits in the U.S. under the ADA suggest that businesses need to prioritize compliance.
Growing accessibility audits by regulatory agencies worldwide.
What businesses should do in 2025
Rather than listing best practices already covered in the ADA Compliance article, this section will focus on legal preparation:
Monitor Legal Updates: Laws are evolving, and businesses must stay informed.
Conduct Accessibility Audits: Proactively check compliance before regulatory enforcement increases.
Establish Internal Policies: Assign teams to oversee compliance across digital assets.
Global Compliance Strategy: Companies operating in multiple regions must align with different legal frameworks.
Conclusion
With stricter enforcement and evolving laws, businesses must proactively comply with global accessibility regulations. Prioritizing accessibility is no longer just an ethical decision—it’s a legal necessity in 2025.
TL;DR: On April 24, 2024, the Federal Register published the updated guidelines for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requiring state and local governments to follow WCAG 2.1 AA standards for their websites and mobile applications. While there are specific requirements, the updates also include exceptions for archived content and certain social media posts. This isn’t a heavy-handed mandate but a necessary step toward ensuring digital accessibility for everyone.
In the fast-paced digital landscape of today, ensuring accessibility for all users is not just a competitive aspect of the market but a legal necessity. With the rise in lawsuits related to website accessibility, businesses and website owners are increasingly finding themselves under scrutiny for non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, navigating the complexities of ADA compliance can be daunting and time-consuming, often diverting attention from core business activities. Enter EqualWeb`s automatic AI-powered accessibility software – a game-changer in simplifying the process and alleviating one major worry for businessmen and website owners alike.
In 2004, Italy introduced a groundbreaking piece of legislation known as the Legge Stanca, or Law 4/2004. This legislation, also referred to as the Stanca Act, established a set of guidelines for ensuring the accessibility of websites and mobile applications for people with disabilities. Italy has recently expanded its accessibility law to apply to large private entities, which establishes the Stanca Law even more as a significant force in promoting digital inclusion in the boot-shaped peninsula.
