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Government Accessibility Regulations for Digital Documents | UK, US & EU

Government accessibility regulations are evolving rapidly across the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. These updates are setting higher standards to ensure that everyone, including individuals who are differently and uniquely abled, can access public digital information without barriers. Foundational frameworks such as the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which comes into effect in June 2025, Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act, and the UK’s Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations establish clear legal expectations. They mandate that digital content and documents must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust, in line with international standards such as WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 AA.
Ensuring that public documents are accessible is not only a legal obligation but also a moral and social responsibility. For more than 135 million Europeans and millions of others worldwide with diverse abilities, access to digital information enables equal participation in education, employment, and civic life. Inclusive and accessible documentation helps reduce digital exclusion and supports a more equitable society.
In this article, we will explain the major government regulations shaping digital accessibility across regions, highlight why accessible public documents matter, and offer practical steps your organization can take to stay compliant and lead with inclusion in 2025 and beyond.

Government Accessibility Laws in the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union

If your organization develops websites, applications, or digital documents for public use, understanding regional accessibility laws is important. Below is an overview of the primary frameworks shaping accessibility compliance across different regions.

United States

In the United States, digital accessibility is governed by a combination of federal and state-level laws.
  1. Section 508 (Rehabilitation Act):

    This law requires all federal agencies to ensure that their information and communication technology (ICT), including websites, digital documents, and software, is accessible to differently abled individuals. The updated Section 508, refreshed in 2018, aligns closely with WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

    Read more about Section 508 compliance : https://www.continualengine.com/blog/section-508-compliance/

  2. ADA Title II (2024 DOJ Rule):

    The Department of Justice’s 2024 update to the Americans with Disabilities Act mandates that all state and local government digital services comply with WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

    Read more about ADA compliance: https://www.continualengine.com/blog/ada-compliance/

  3. Section 504:

    This provision prohibits discrimination against individuals who are uniquely abled by organizations that receive federal funding. While it does not specify a technical standard, WCAG is widely accepted as the guiding framework for ensuring digital accessibility.

    Read more about Section 504 compliance: https://www.continualengine.com/blog/504-compliance/

  4. State-Level Legislation:

    Several states, including California, North Carolina, and Virginia, have introduced additional accessibility requirements that build upon federal mandates. Entities operating within these states should review local regulations to ensure complete compliance.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom enforces digital accessibility through two principal laws, particularly focused on public-facing organizations.
  1. Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018:

    These regulations apply to government websites and mobile applications. They require compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA and make it mandatory to publish accessibility statements outlining the level of accessibility and known limitations.

  2. Equality Act 2010:

    Applicable to both public and private organizations, this act requires “reasonable adjustments” to prevent discrimination against differently abled individuals. Although it does not prescribe specific technical standards, WCAG serves as the most widely accepted benchmark.

European Union

The European Union has established some of the world’s most detailed and harmonized digital accessibility frameworks.
  1. Web Accessibility Directive (2016/2102):

    This directive mandates that all public sector websites and mobile applications in EU member states meet WCAG standards, ensuring equal access for differently abled individuals.

  2. European Accessibility Act (EAA, effective June 2025):

    The EAA expands accessibility obligations beyond the public sector to include private-sector digital products and services such as online banking, e-commerce platforms, and e-books. Non-compliance can result in financial penalties of up to €20,000, depending on national enforcement.

    Read more about European Accessibility Act: https://www.continualengine.com/blog/european-accessibility-act/

  3. EN 301 549:

    Serving as the EU’s harmonized technical standard for ICT accessibility, EN 301 549 aligns directly with WCAG 2.2 and acts as the reference framework for public procurement and compliance with the Accessibility Act.

Summary of Regional Accessibility Regulations

Region Law / Regulation Who It Applies To Technical Standard Enforcement Important Details
United States Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Federal agencies and their contractors WCAG 2.1 AA Federal audits and Department of Justice oversight Updated in 2018 to align with WCAG. Covers ICT including documents, websites, and software.
ADA Title II (2024 DOJ Rule) State and local governments under Title II WCAG 2.1 AA DOJ enforcement and potential civil lawsuits Requires all public-facing digital services of state and local governments to meet WCAG 2.1 AA.
Section 504 Any organization receiving federal funding WCAG guidance (non-mandatory) Complaint-driven enforcement Broad civil rights regulation extending to education, healthcare, and public services.
United Kingdom Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 Central and local government bodies, NHS, schools, and police WCAG 2.2 AA Monitoring and enforcement by government bodies Requires accessibility statements and annual audits.
Equality Act 2010 All public and private organizations WCAG used as guidance Civil lawsuits for discrimination Requires “reasonable adjustments” for people with disabilities in services and workplaces.
European Union Web Accessibility Directive (2016/2102) All public sector websites and apps WCAG 2.1 AA National monitoring and reports Applies to documents, forms, and online public portals.
European Accessibility Act (effective 2025) Public and private digital products and services WCAG 2.1 AA + EN 301 549 Consumer protection agencies Extends compliance to sectors like banking, transport, and retail.
EN 301 549 ICT products and services WCAG 2.2 Public procurement audits Defines detailed technical requirements for software and hardware.

How PREP Helps Ensure Compliance with Digital Accessibility Laws?

Complying with multiple accessibility regulations can be complex, especially when requirements vary across regions. PREP simplifies this process through AI-driven automation that identifies and remediates accessibility issues in digital documents. It automatically tags document elements such as headings, tables, lists, and images, resolving most common accessibility barriers.
PREP helps align your organization’s documents with major global standards, including WCAG 2.1 AA, Section 508, ADA Title II, and EN 301 549. Designed for scalability, it supports large volumes of files such as government reports, municipal records, and public forms, reducing manual effort by over 90%.
The platform also provides built-in accessibility validation reports, which are valuable during audits or when demonstrating compliance. Most importantly, PREP ensures that documents remain fully navigable and readable for all users, including individuals relying on assistive technologies such as screen readers.
Ensure your organization’s public documents meet international accessibility standards with PREP. Simplify compliance, minimize risk, and promote inclusive access for all.
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Editors:

Debangku Sarma

Digital Marketing Associate
Continual Engine

Vijayshree Vethantham

Senior Vice-President, Growth & Strategy
Continual Engine US LLC

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