The U.S. Department of Justice has issued an Interim Final Rule, effective April 20, 2026, that extends the compliance deadlines for web accessibility by one year. Under the previous deadlines, a number of public libraries faced a primary compliance deadline of April 2026 (or April 2027 for smaller jurisdictions or districts). Under this revised timeline, public entities serving populations of 50,000 or more now have until April 26, 2027, while smaller entities and special districts have until April 26, 2028 to comply.
While this extension provides additional time, the underlying requirements remain unchanged: libraries must ensure that their websites, digital collections, and online services meet accessibility standards (generally WCAG 2.1 AA). Libraries are encouraged to continue their accessibility efforts, as this delay is intended to support implementation and reflects the ongoing importance of equitable digital access for all library users.