This is a critical update regarding our digital accessibility deadlines. While you may have heard that the Department of Justice recently extended the ADA Title II deadline to 2027, UC Berkeley’s primary compliance deadline is now May 11, 2026.
This date is driven by updated requirements under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which now takes precedence for our campus.
Why the Timeline Shifted
Digital accessibility is governed by several moving parts. While the ADA timeline was extended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which applies to institutions receiving HHS funding, mirrors ADA Title II digital accessibility requirements but has an effective date of May 11, 2026. At this time, no changes to the Section 504 compliance date have been announced.
Important Exceptions Date Cut-off: Please note that the cut-off date for exceptions for Archived Web Content, Pre-existing Documents, and Social Media remain unchanged, April 24, 2026. Visit the ADA Title II Updates: What does it mean for us? exceptions section for more details about each exception.
Future Changes: Please be aware that compliance dates are determined by the Federal government. While May 11, 2026, is our current firm target, these mandates are subject to further federal adjustment or interim rules. We will notify you immediately if the government shifts these requirements again.
Our Recommendation: Stay the Course
Because our current Consent Decree and UC Policy already require significant accessibility efforts, our guidance is to maintain your current pace to meet the updated May 11, 2026, effective date. Continuing your remediation work now will prevent a last-minute scramble and ensure our digital environment remains inclusive for everyone.
The Consent Decree with the US Department of Justice has required public audio and video compliance since September 2, 2023 and website and web content compliance since June 2, 2024. UCOP's IT Accessibility Policy has kept the original compliance date of April 24, 2026.
Need help? Have questions?
Berkeley IT and Research Teaching and Learning are available to assist you. For support, please contact the appropriate team:
- Accessible Teaching & Learning: course-accessibility@berkeley.edu (instructional content and technology)
- General Digital Accessibility: improving-accessibility@berkeley.edu (non-instructional content and technology)
Additional Resources
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
- ADA Title II Updates: What does it mean for us?
- Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) about ADA Title II
- Accessible Teaching and Learning
- UC Policy IMT-1300: Information Technology Accessibility (Released March 17, 2026)
Thank you for your continued dedication to making UC Berkeley accessible.