Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act of 2025

This bill sets one clear national standard to make websites and apps usable by people with disabilities. It covers employers, government agencies, businesses open to the public, and testing groups—and also the vendors that build or supply their sites and apps. “Accessible” means people with disabilities can find the same information, complete the same tasks, and communicate with the same privacy, independence, and ease as everyone else. Covered websites and apps must be accessible and provide communication that is just as effective for people with disabilities as it is for others. The bill also makes clear that disability rights apply to websites and apps, even if a business is online‑only.

The Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission must write detailed rules within two years. After final rules are issued, small entities get extra time to comply (2 years for employment‑related sites and apps; 3 years for public‑facing ones); others must comply within 30 days . People can ask the agencies to investigate, and they can also sue in court for fixes and damages without having to file an agency complaint or give advance notice . A national help center and small grants (up to $10,000) will assist small entities with testing and fixes, and the rules will be reviewed and updated regularly; there’s also a study on how new technologies affect access .

Key points

• Who is affected: Employers, public agencies, businesses open to the public, testing groups, and their vendors (“commercial providers”).
• What changes: Websites and apps must be accessible and provide equally effective communication; vendors cannot deliver inaccessible products; limited exceptions apply if changes would cause an undue burden or fundamentally change the service .
• Enforcement: Agencies can investigate and bring cases; individuals and entities can sue for court orders and damages; winning plaintiffs can recover attorney’s fees .
• Help and oversight: A technical assistance center, small‑entity grants, public posting of settlements, and an advisory committee guide and track progress .
• When: The bill takes effect 6 months after it becomes law; the core website/app duties start at 12 months. Proposed rules are due in 12 months and final rules in 24 months; small entities get 2–3 years after final rules to comply, while others have 30 days .
• Funding: $35,150,000 is authorized each year from 2026 through 2035 to carry out the bill’s programs.