Accessibility is no longer a "nice-to-have" feature in today’s legal and regulatory environment. Recent updates to U.S. accessibility laws require governments, businesses, and organizations to provide equitable access to their services. From web accessibility rules to language access mandates, these legal frameworks ensure that all members of the public, including individuals with disabilities and limited English proficiency, can fully access public and private services.
If you're a business or public entity striving to stay compliant, this page will break down the latest U.S. regulations, their implications, and actionable steps with Wordly to meet the standards.
Several updates to accessibility regulations have recently come into play, with impacts ranging from website accessibility and language translation to closed captioning and telecommunications. These updates have introduced specific guidelines that public agencies and businesses must meet.
Here’s an overview of key regulations including ADA Title II and how they impact organizations:
The Department of Justice (DOJ) finalized an update to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in April 2024. This landmark rule directly impacts state and local government websites and mobile apps by requiring them to comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. The WCAG standards ensure digital content, including text, images, and videos, is fully accessible.
Key Compliance Timelines:
Agencies are tasked with auditing their websites, ensuring existing content meets the WCAG requirements, and implementing accessibility for new content. While exceptions (such as certain archived materials) exist, the overall emphasis is on creating inclusive digital platforms.
The Takeaway:
Organizations should prioritize proactive audits and updates to web content before deadlines to avoid scrambling for compliance. Beyond avoiding legal penalties, accessible websites improve user experience for everyone.
Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, any public agency receiving federal funding must provide language assistance services to individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). These services include offering translated documents or providing interpretation services. Title VI goes hand-in-hand with other provisions, such as Section 1557 of the ACA (Affordable Care Act), which extend these obligations to healthcare institutions and other federally funded organizations.
Practical Applications:
The Takeaway:
Accessibility isn’t just about disability. Reaching individuals with LEP improves inclusivity and expands the reach of your services to a wider audience.
Under the revised Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), healthcare providers receiving federal funds are required to offer free, qualified interpreters and language assistance services to patients who don’t speak English fluently. Additionally, healthcare providers must ensure that their digital platforms are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
For example, a hospital website must support screen readers for visually impaired users and provide translated materials for patients speaking other languages.
The Takeaway:
Compliance with Section 1557 revisions is vital to ensure health equity. Providers should consider dedicated accessibility audits for their online and offline services.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces accessibility rules across media and communications. These include ensuring equal access to television and online video content for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Beyond compliance, these rules enable businesses and government agencies to reach broader audiences with media that’s accessible to all.
The Takeaway:
If your organization produces videos for public consumption, ensure your captions meet FCC guidelines. Include accessible communication tools for live events or meetings to ensure inclusivity.
While ADA Title II and other regulations primarily target public agencies, many private organizations are also required to adhere to accessibility standards. Here’s a quick breakdown of affected entities:
State-level regulations (e.g., California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act) also come into play, so organizations should check both federal and state requirements to ensure compliance.
Compliance with ADA Title II and other accessibility laws offer significant benefits that go beyond merely meeting legal mandates. Here are compelling reasons to adopt a proactive approach:
Waiting until compliance deadlines loom will only elevate stress. Here’s how your organization can start:
Conduct an Accessibility Audit:
Invest in AI Translation Solutions
Partner with Experts:
Educate Your Team:
Monitor & Maintain:
✅ Real-time captioning & subtitles into dozens of languages for meetings and public communications.
✅ Live text-to-speech translation for dozens of languages to improve accessibility for anyone visually impaired.
✅ Multilingual language support for dozens of languages to meet language access requirements for non-English-speaking residents.
✅ Supports dozens of languages for real-time captions and translations for diverse communities.
✅ Fully automated and no human interpreters needed, reducing costs and delays.
✅ Seamless integration works with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other meeting platforms.
✅ Meets compliance standards to help agencies avoid funding loss and legal risk.
To see our full list of features, visit our Live Translation page.
One of many features included with Wordly.
Penalties for Non-Compliance:
❌ Risk of legal action under the ADA.
❌ Loss of federal funding for non-compliant applicable businesses, schools, and government.
❌ Risk of civil rights complaints and federal investigations.
Organizations that make accessibility a priority not only avoid penalties but also position themselves as leaders in equity and usability. Whether you're a public agency or a private business, the time to act is now.
In addition to helping organizations comply with ADA Title II, Wordly can also help you comply with Canada Bill 96 and the European Accessibility Act (EEA).
To simplify your compliance efforts, leverage Wordly AI Translation for real-time language solutions that bridge communication gaps.
Contact us today to learn how we can support your language accessibility goals and ensure your services are usable by all.
