2.1 The Landscape of Global Standards

Digital accessibility isn’t the same everywhere, each country has its own rules, but they often connect back to WCAG.

  • United States: The ADA and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act require accessible digital tools, especially for federal websites and contractors.
  • European Union: The European Accessibility Act (EAA) entered into effect on June 28, 2025 (now enforced across EU states), covering websites, apps, banking, e-commerce, transport, and more. New digital content must comply now, with legacy content by 2030.
  • Canada and Australia: Their national accessibility acts follow WCAG and require accessible design for public-facing organizations.
  • Japan and South Korea: Both have accessibility standards inspired by WCAG, aiming for inclusivity across digital platforms.
  • Global organizations: The UN’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) encourages countries to treat digital access as a human right.

The specifics can change from place to place, but the core idea doesn't: build things everyone can use.