CPACC Quick Reference

In the US, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies to make their ICT accessible to employees and members of the public with disabilities. Federal agencies must follow the Section 508 Standards, which reference WCAG for web content. The ADA covers private sector websites through its public accommodations title, enforced mainly through litigation.

⚠️ Section 508 and the ADA are separate legal frameworks with different scopes. Section 508 applies to federal agencies and sets specific technical standards. The ADA applies more broadly but does not prescribe technical standards — courts have interpreted it to require accessibility, but the standard of "what counts" has been determined case by case.

In the EU, the Web Accessibility Directive requires public sector websites and apps to meet accessibility standards. The European Accessibility Act extends requirements into the private sector for key products and services. Both instruments reference EN 301 549, the European standard that itself incorporates WCAG.

⚠️ The Web Accessibility Directive and the European Accessibility Act have different scopes. The Directive covers public sector bodies. The Act covers private sector products and services in specific categories (banking, e-commerce, transport, and others). Neither covers everything — gaps exist, particularly for internal government tools and small enterprises.