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Your digital accessibility rights
Everyone has the right to access websites and digital services. Here is what the law protects and how to act when something is inaccessible.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities across public life, including websites and digital services.
What it means for you:
- Equal access to digital services.
- Sites must work with assistive technologies.
- Reasonable accommodations on request.
Section 508 & Section 504
Section 508 requires federal agencies and contractors to make technology accessible; Section 504 extends accessibility obligations to recipients of federal funding.
Who it applies to:
- Federal agencies and vendors.
- Recipients of federal funding (hospitals, universities, nonprofits).
Common barriers
- Visual — missing alt text, low contrast, text that cannot resize, screen-reader incompatibility.
- Hearing — videos without captions, audio without transcripts.
- Motor — no keyboard support, tiny targets, time limits, complex gestures.
- Cognitive — confusing navigation, unclear instructions, auto-playing content.
What to do when you encounter a barrier
- Contact the organization — describe the barrier and request an accessible alternative.
- Document it — note the page, date, and what failed; keep screenshots.
- Escalate — file with the U.S. Department of Justice (ada.gov) or, for federally funded entities, the HHS Office for Civil Rights.
- Know your options — for persistent discrimination, consult an attorney who handles disability rights.
Note
This page is educational and is not legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult qualified legal counsel.
Resources
- National Federation of the Blind, American Council of the Blind, National Association of the Deaf, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund.
- ada.gov, section508.gov, access-board.gov.