Hello! On Monday April 20, 2026, The Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division issued an "Interim Final Rule" that extends the compliance date for the ADA Web Accessibility Rule (The Rule) by a year for all covered entities. Federal Register :: Extension of Compliance Dates for Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities<https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/20/2026-07663/extension-of-compliance-dates-for-nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-accessibility-of-web> An "Interim Rule" is a rule that has been issued by a Federal Agency when there is "good cause," or when a situation arises where a change is necessary to address an imminent problem or threat, and public interest is best served by forgoing standard (and sometimes lengthy) rulemaking processes in favor of an immediate implementation. While this rule is in effect upon day of publication in the Federal Register (4-20-2026), the agency has invited public comments, and can propose amendments after the public comment period, and may then issue a final rule as in the typical rulemaking process. The new deadlines are: * Entities serving populations of 50,000 or more- April 26, 2027 * Entities serving populations under 50,000, and Special District Governments serving any amount of population (which for Michigan Libraries means Cooperative Libraries and District Libraries). - April 26, 2028 Reasoning for the amended dates include the intent by the agency to reduce costs and account for limited staffing available to accomplish required updates needed for accessibility. Educational institutions and small local governmental entities especially have indicated a need for additional time due to higher costs and larger staffing impacts than initially estimated. The agency acknowledges the impact on people with disabilities who will be negatively impacted by the extension of time. The agency is balancing the need for accommodation and the impact to people with disabilities of a delay in compliance (and therefore the need to continue to obtain access via a sometimes lengthy accommodations request) and the impacts of consequences to a covered entity for non-compliance or incorrect compliance due to inadequate resources or time to comply. Additional information on reasoning for the change can be found in the Federal Register filing linked above, under "Supplemental Authority," and "Need for This Interim Rule." Entities covered by this rule are still required respond to requests for accommodations from people with disabilities to enable access to websites, documents, etc., in accordance with Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Libraries with questions about their responsibilities under this amendment should consult their library attorney. Thanks! Clare & Shauna Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D. Shauna Quick Library Law Consultant Library Technology Access Consultant Library of Michigan Library of Michigan MembielaC@michigan.gov<mailto:MembielaC@michigan.gov> quicks1@michigan.gov<mailto:quicks1@michigan.gov> 517-335-8132 517-335-0126 The research and resources above are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. "the State may not, consistently with the spirit of the First Amendment, contract the spectrum of available knowledge." Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 U.S. 479, 482 (1965). [Michigan Seal of Biliteracy] Acknowledge the incredible strength of students' multilingual abilities. Seek the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy<https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/flexible-learning/michigan-seal-of-biliteracy> for graduating seniors. [Michigan.gov/Vote logo Description automatically generated]<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/> Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>.
