Compliance
Every accessibility law points to WCAG
Almost every national and regional accessibility law adopts WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) as its technical baseline. Understand WCAG and you understand 80 % of what the law in any jurisdiction actually requires.
WCAG 2.2 — the core standard
87 success criteria across four principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust). Conformance levels A, AA and AAA. Written by W3C, adopted worldwide.
Read the full breakdownEN 301 549 — the European standard
Harmonised European standard that wraps WCAG 2.1 AA and adds requirements for non-web software, hardware and documents. Referenced by the EAA and Web Accessibility Directive.
See how it extends WCAGPick the jurisdiction you publish in
Each national framework adapts WCAG to a local legal structure with its own scope, enforcement body, penalties and deadlines. Everything you need to answer “does this law apply to us, and by when?”
ADA Title III — Americans with Disabilities Act
Federal civil-rights law covering private businesses “open to the public.” Courts consistently treat websites and apps as places of public accommodation. Enforced by DOJ and private lawsuits.
Read ADA guideSection 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
Applies to U.S. federal agencies and anyone selling ICT to the federal government. The 2018 Refresh aligned Section 508 directly with WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA.
Read Section 508 guideEuropean Accessibility Act — in force 28 June 2025
Directive 2019/882. Applies to private-sector e-commerce, banking, e-books, transport, telecoms and more across all 27 EU member states. Enforced by national authorities, penalties set per country.
Read EAA guideEN 301 549 — the harmonised standard
Technical standard referenced by both the EAA and the Web Accessibility Directive. Built on WCAG 2.1 AA plus non-web software, hardware and document requirements.
Read EN 301 549 guideEquality Act 2010 + PSBAR 2018
Equality Act prohibits disability discrimination and requires reasonable adjustments. PSBAR extends WCAG 2.2 AA to public-sector websites, apps and intranets. Enforced by EHRC and GDS.
Read UK guideDisability Discrimination Act 1992
Federal anti-discrimination law. The Australian Human Rights Commission + Digital Service Standard make WCAG 2.2 AA the baseline for government and a strong benchmark for private sites.
Read DDA guideAccessible Canada Act (ACA)
2019 federal law with the goal of a barrier-free Canada by 2040. Applies to federally regulated organisations (banks, telecoms, transport, federal government). Enforced by the Accessibility Commissioner.
Read ACA guideAODA — Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
Provincial law for Ontario. Requires WCAG 2.0 AA for public-sector and any organisation with 50+ employees. Annual compliance reports filed with the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility.
Read AODA guideHuman Rights Act 1993 + NZ Govt Web Accessibility Standard
Human Rights Act prohibits disability discrimination. The NZ Government Web Accessibility Standard mandates WCAG 2.2 AA for all public-service agencies. Enforced by the Human Rights Commission.
Read NZ guideThe cost of non-compliance keeps rising
Accessibility lawsuits, regulatory penalties and procurement disqualifications are no longer edge cases. They’re the default outcome for organisations that treat accessibility as optional.
Know the law. Then check your files.
The compliance pages explain what the law says. The checkers tell you which specific WCAG criteria your web pages, PDFs and documents currently break — and give you the fix, in the tool you already use.