A new federal rule is set to heighten digital accessibility across the health care sector and state and local governments. By May 2026, covered organizations that receive U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funding — along with large public entities — will be required to demonstrate compliance with specific accessibility standards on websites, kiosks, mobile content, and more.

In a recent Coppersmith Brockelman Client Alert, “Spring Deadline Looms for Compliance with New Federal Web Accessibility Rules for Health Care and Public Entities,” Chelsea Sage Gaberdiel outlined what the new requirements mean in practice, who will be affected, and how to prepare.

Chelsea explained that the rules extend compliance obligations to a wider range of digital content, including some third-party materials. She also highlighted limited exceptions and safe harbors built into the regulations, while cautioning that they apply narrowly and often depend on context.

To mitigate regulatory and litigation risk, Chelsea encouraged organizations to assess current digital assets, prioritize remediation for high-impact content, review vendor relationships tied to web and app functionality, and establish internal processes for monitoring accessibility issues.

Chelsea draws on extensive civil litigation experience to help educational and corporate institutions navigate sensitive disputes, core operational issues, and compliance demands. She advises academic and business leaders on employment matters, constitutional questions, anti-discrimination laws, data privacy, student affairs, research regulations, and other complex governance matters to help clients strengthen both risk analysis and strategic planning.

Read the full Coppersmith Brief for more insights.