The ADA Title II deadline: what it means for software vendors
The dates, the standard, and why it reaches vendors who are not covered directly.
ADA Title II covers state and local governments, which includes public universities and school districts. A 2024 Department of Justice rule set WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the technical standard for their web content and mobile apps. An interim final rule of April 2026 moved the dates:
- 26 April 2027: public bodies serving a population of 50,000 or more
- 26 April 2028: smaller bodies and special districts
Some university pages still show older dates, or slightly different ones. Rely on the current rule, and on what your buyer tells you. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Why this reaches you
The rule binds the university, not you. But the university is responsible for services it provides through third parties, so it needs to know your product will not put it out of compliance. That is why procurement offices now ask for reports, and why renewals can stall as well as new deals.
What to do now
- Find out which report your buyer needs. Some name an edition or a template version.
- Test the five criteria reviewers check first.
- Run a scan, then test the rest by hand.
- Write down what fails, with a plan and dates.
- Publish the report, and update it with major releases.
Do not wait for a perfect product. Reviewers expect gaps. They want honesty and a plan.