Notice: Archived Document

The rulemakings regarding technical standards for Web site accessibility under title II and title III of the ADA (RIN 1190-AA65 and RIN 1190-AA61) have been withdrawn. For more information, please see Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Notice of Withdrawal of Four Previously Announced Rulemaking Actions. This document is maintained for reference purposes.

U.S. Department of Justice
 Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section		 DoJ seal
 

Fact Sheet
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on
Accessibility of Web Information and Services Provided by Entities Covered by the ADA

The Department of Justice's Consideration of Regulations Requiring Entities Covered by the ADA To Make Their Websites Accessible to Individuals with Disabilities

When the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted in 1990, the Internet as we know it today did not exist. Today, the Internet—most notably the sites of the World Wide Web (Web)—plays a critical role in the daily personal, professional, civic, and business life of Americans. Increasingly, governmental and private entities covered by the ADA are providing goods, services, and programs to the public through their websites. However, many of these websites are not readily accessible to individuals with disabilities.  While the Department did not include proposed Web accessibility provisions in its 2008 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding revisions to the ADA regulations, the Department received numerous comments urging it to establish such provisions.  In light of these developments, this advance notice presents for public review and comment a series of questions seeking comments and suggestions regarding what an NPRM issued by the Department on Web accessibility should contain.

Summary:  The Department is providing advance notice that it is considering revising the regulations implementing titles II and III of the ADA to establish specific requirements for State and local governments and public accommodations to make their websites accessible to individuals with disabilities. The purpose of the Department's proposal is to solicit public comment on various issues relating to the establishment of any such Web accessibility requirements and to determine the costs and benefits of any requirements that the Department might adopt.

In its advance notice, the Department is seeking information regarding what standards, if any, it should adopt for website accessibility, whether the Department should adopt coverage limitations for certain entities, like small businesses, and what resources and services are available to make existing websites accessible to individuals with disabilities.  The Department is also soliciting comments on the costs of making websites accessible, whether there are effective and reasonable alternatives to make websites accessible that the Department should consider permitting, and when any Web accessibility requirements adopted by the Department should become effective.

Comments on this notice will be available for public review at www.regulations.gov.  The Regulations.gov Docket ID is DOJ-CRT-2010-0005. The comments will also be available by appointment at 1425 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005.  For access to the Docket materials, call (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY) to make an appointment.  The Department will hold at least one public hearing to solicit additional comments on the issues raised in this notice.

For more information:  The Federal Register notice and this fact sheet are available in electronic format on the Department's ADA Website at archive.ada.gov. For additional information or to order copies of any documents, call the toll-free ADA Information Line (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).  Copies will be available in accessible formats.

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Last updated August 3, 2010