Your nonprofit's website helps people find services, register for programs, make donations, and connect with your organization. But what happens when someone can't navigate your website using a keyboard, read important information with a screen reader, or complete an online form?
These barriers can prevent people from accessing the very services your organization works hard to provide.
New federal website accessibility requirements are also bringing this issue into sharper focus. Government agencies and certain federally funded organizations face compliance deadlines beginning April 26, 2027, with additional deadlines in May 2027 and April–May 2028, depending on the organization and applicable regulations.
For nonprofits, now is a good time to understand what these requirements mean, check your website for potential accessibility issues, and make a plan for improvements.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are internationally recognized standards for making websites and digital content accessible to people with disabilities.
WCAG 2.1 Level AA provides trusted guidance to help nonprofit organizations ensure their websites are usable for people with various needs, including those who use screen readers, navigate without a mouse, or have challenges seeing or hearing certain content.
For example, an accessible website should allow visitors to
These improvements benefit a wide range of visitors, including older adults and people using mobile devices.
For a nonprofit, accessibility might mean helping someone complete an application for housing assistance, sign up for a community health program, or donate to a cause without encountering unnecessary barriers.
Learn more: How to Make Your Website More Accessible
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice established new requirements under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The rule requires covered state and local governments to make their websites and mobile applications conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA, subject to specified exceptions.
In April 2026, the Department of Justice extended the original compliance deadlines by one year.
The updated deadlines are:
Government entity |
Compliance deadline |
| State and local governments with populations of 50,000 or more | April 26, 2027 |
| State and local governments with populations under 50,000 | April 26, 2028 |
| Special district governments | April 26, 2028 |
These requirements can also apply to digital services that governments make available through contractors and other arrangements.
For example, if a nonprofit operates an online program on behalf of a local government, accessibility responsibilities may need to be addressed as part of that partnership.
The Department of Justice provides additional information in its official accessibility rule fact sheet.
Some nonprofits have specific federal website accessibility obligations, particularly those receiving funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, covered recipients of HHS federal financial assistance must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements for web content and mobile applications, subject to certain exceptions.
In May 2026, HHS extended its compliance deadlines by one year.
HHS funding recipient |
Compliance deadline |
| Organizations with 15 or more employees |
May 11, 2027 |
| Organizations with fewer than 15 employees |
May 10, 2028 |
These rules can affect organizations such as community health centers, hospitals, and other HHS-funded service providers.
Other nonprofits may have accessibility responsibilities under the ADA, Section 504, state laws, or specific funding agreements.
Receiving any government grant does not automatically place a nonprofit under the same deadline. Requirements depend on the organization, funding source, and services provided.
Does your nonprofit have 15 or more employees? Get a free website wellness report.
If your organization receives government funding or operates public programs, review your grant agreements and discuss applicable requirements with your funding agency or legal advisor.
You can learn more through the HHS announcement on updated accessibility deadlines.
Your website may look and function perfectly well to your staff while creating challenges for visitors using assistive technology.
Consider a family looking for local assistance. They find your website, locate an application, and begin filling it out. But the form fields aren't labeled correctly, making it difficult for someone using a screen reader to complete the application.
Your organization may never know that person tried to reach you.
Many accessibility problems are easy to overlook during routine website updates.
Common issues include missing image descriptions, poor text contrast, confusing navigation, inaccessible forms, and documents that screen readers cannot interpret properly.
An automated website scan can help identify some of these problems. However, automated tools cannot verify every accessibility requirement. A more complete review also involves manual testing, including keyboard navigation and assistive technology.
A passing automated score alone does not establish WCAG compliance.
You don't need a large technology team to begin addressing accessibility. Start with a few practical steps.
Use an accessibility scanning tool to identify potential issues on your website. Start with your home page and frequently visited pages.
Use your keyboard's Tab key to navigate menus, links, and forms. Can you reach important content and see which item is selected?
Prioritize the pages people depend on, including service applications, program registration, contact forms, donation pages, and downloadable resources.
Adding descriptive image text, improving color contrast, updating form labels, and adding accurate captions are useful places to begin.
Some issues require changes to website code, templates, navigation, or third-party tools. Document what needs attention, prioritize barriers that prevent people from completing important tasks, and determine where professional support may be needed.
Accessibility is also an ongoing responsibility. As your organization adds new pages, forms, documents, and features, continue reviewing them for usability.
Understanding your website's current accessibility is a useful first step.
Through TechSoup's partnership with Tapp Network, nonprofits can access a free Website Wellness Assessment that provides an initial look at website health and potential WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility issues.
The assessment can help your team identify areas that deserve closer attention and determine whether a more comprehensive review may be appropriate.
If your website needs technical improvements, TechSoup and Tapp Network also offer website consultation and development services to help organizations understand their options and plan next steps.
Your website is often the first place someone turns when they need your organization. Making it easier to use helps more people reach the programs, information, and support you provide.
This article provides general educational information and is not legal advice. Accessibility obligations and exceptions vary by organization and applicable law.