Make Your Videos ADA Title II Compliant Before the 2026 Deadline
Ensure every video, lecture, and online course meets ADA Title II’s accessibility requirements.
Book a call with our expert to:
- Discover what the new ADA Title II rule means for your videos and courses.
- See Subly in action — captions, descriptive transcripts, audio descriptions, and more.
- Leave with clear next steps to meet the April 2026 deadline.
Trusted by thousands of organisations in the US and worldwide
What's Required
ADA Title II: New Accessibility Rules for Videos and Digital Media
Public schools, colleges, and universities must make all video, audio, and e-learning content accessible under the U.S. Department of Justice’s updated ADA Title II rule — enforceable from April 2026.
Captions
Required for all speech and key sounds.
Contrast
Text and visuals must meet readability standards.
Audio Descriptions
Narrate essential visual elements where relevant.
Essential Images Described
Describe key visuals like charts or diagrams not covered in audio.
Transcript
Provide a text alternative for audio-only content.
Descriptive Transcripts
Required for videos without dialogue or key visual information.
Flashing
Limit flashing to protect users with epilepsy.
Language Accuracy
Correct language tags so assistive technology reads content properly.
How Subly helps
From Video to Fully ADA Compliant in Minutes
Subly’s platform lets you check and fix your media to make it fully accessible, compliant, and scalable — all in one place.
[step 1
**AI Accessibility Check & Report**
Upload your video and our AI will analyse it frame by frame against WCAG requirements, identifying what’s missing and highlighting what needs improvement.](/content/compliance/ada-title-ii-education#w-tabs-0-data-w-pane-0/index.html) [step 2
**Automatic Edits & Fixes**
Meet all WCAG requirements in one place. Add captions, audio descriptions, and transcripts, and adjust colour contrast and more — automatically.](/content/compliance/ada-title-ii-education#w-tabs-0-data-w-pane-1/index.html) [step 3
**Review and Download**
Export your files in any format you need, from SRT to full videos with captions or audio descriptions embedded. Get all the formats required to stay compliant.](/content/compliance/ada-title-ii-education#w-tabs-0-data-w-pane-2/index.html)
Recorded Lectures
Online Courses
Marketing & Social Media
Orientation Videos
Who needs to comply
Schools, universities, and vendors required to meet the new standards
If your institution publishes video-based learning, promotional videos, or virtual events — they must all meet accessibility standards by April 2026.
Public K–12 schools, colleges, and universities
Institutions operated or funded by state or local governments.
Government-funded institutions
Entities offering online learning, training, or information to the public.
Third-party vendors and contractors
Companies producing videos, courses, or digital media on behalf of public institutions.
Explore the essentials
Manage your ADA Title II media compliance in one place
Learn the requirements and check your media accessibility — all from Subly.
ADA Requirements
Explore our guide to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Accessibility Checker
Automatically finds every accessibility issue and shows you exactly where to fix it.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
We've got answers! Browse through our FAQ section to find quick solutions and detailed explanations to some of the most common queries. Whether you're just getting started or need specific guidance, our comprehensive FAQs are here to assist you every step of the way.
What is the new ADA Title II rule for 2026?
In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published a final rule updating ADA Title II, requiring all state and local government entities, including public schools, colleges, and universities, to make their digital content accessible.
Institutions must comply by April 24, 2026 (or April 2027 for smaller jurisdictions). The rule mandates conformance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards.
Who does the ADA Title II 2026 rule apply to?
The rule applies to all state and local government agencies and public education institutions. This includes K–12 schools, community colleges, public universities, and any contractors or vendors that create digital or media content for these entities.
What types of digital content are covered by ADA Title II?
ADA Title II covers all public-facing digital content, including:
• Websites and online portals
• Mobile applications
• Digital learning tools and e-courses
• Video and audio materials
• Media hosted on third-party platforms if produced or shared by the institution
How does ADA Title II apply to video and audio content?
Under ADA Title II, all video, audio, and e-learning materials shared by public institutions must be perceivable, operable, and understandable in line with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. This means:
• Captions for all spoken dialogue and important sounds.
• Transcripts for audio-only content.
• Audio descriptions or descriptive transcripts for visual details not conveyed in audio.
• Accessible media players that can be used with a keyboard or assistive technology.
• Readable text and contrast, and control over flashing or autoplaying content.
• Non-compliance can lead to accessibility complaints and enforcement under ADA Title II.
Which WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements apply to pre-recorded video and audio under ADA Title II?
ADA Title II adopts WCAG 2.1 Level AA as its accessibility standard. For pre-recorded media, institutions must include captions (1.2.2), transcripts for audio-only content (1.2.1), and audio descriptions or descriptive transcripts for key visual details (1.2.3 / 1.2.5).
Text and captions must meet contrast requirements (1.4.3), avoid flashing content (2.3.1), and use correct language tags (3.1.1) to ensure accessibility by April 2026.
What are the deadlines for ADA Title II compliance?
• April 24, 2026: Entities with populations over 50,000
• April 24, 2027: Entities with smaller populations
• Institutions are encouraged to begin accessibility audits now to ensure compliance before the enforcement date.
What happens if an institution doesn’t meet ADA Title II media requirements?
Failure to comply may lead to DOJ enforcement actions, lawsuits, or loss of public trust. Beyond legal risk, inaccessible content excludes students, staff, and the public with disabilities from equal participation.
How can institutions check if their media meets ADA Title II standards?
Institutions can use tools like Subly’s Accessibility Checker, which automatically assesses videos and audio files against WCAG 2.1 AA requirements. It identifies missing captions, transcripts, or audio descriptions and helps teams fix issues quickly.
How does Subly help institutions meet ADA Title II media requirements?
Subly’s all-in-one platform combines an Accessibility Checker and Accessibility Editor to help institutions test and fix videos, audio, and other media against WCAG 2.1 AA. Subly makes it simple to add captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions — helping teams achieve ADA compliance efficiently and at scale.
Is WCAG 2.2 required for ADA Title II compliance?
No. The DOJ’s final rule references WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the required technical standard. However, WCAG 2.2 builds upon 2.1 and can be adopted voluntarily to future-proof compliance. Subly supports both frameworks for comprehensive accessibility coverage.
How can my institution get started with ADA Title II media compliance?
Begin with an accessibility audit of all video and audio materials. Subly can automatically check your media against WCAG 2.1 AA, highlight any gaps, and provide tools to fix them — helping your institution stay on track for the April 2026 deadline.