Scan your healthcare website against HHS accessibility requirements. Deadline: May 2026
HHS Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits disability discrimination by any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This includes hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, rehab centers, health insurers, and medical schools. The HHS Final Rule (effective May 2024) explicitly requires all web content, mobile apps, and kiosks to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
May 11, 2026: Entities with 15+ employees must comply. May 10, 2027: Entities with less than 15 employees must comply.
Our free HHS Section 504 scanner applies the same WCAG 2.1 Level AA criteria used by the HHS final rule. Our tool flags missing alt text, poor contrast, inaccessible forms, and lacking keyboard navigation — the top triggers for funding pauses.
Under HHS 504, patient portals must be fully screen reader compatible and include proper form labels. Our checker validates that login, prescription refill, and appointment scheduling forms meet WCAG 3.3.2 (labels) and 1.3.1 (info/relationships).
HHS Final Rule requires live captioning for telehealth visits and transcripts for video content.
Hospital intake, pharmacy pickup, and wayfinding kiosks must also comply.
Don't wait for an HHS audit to disrupt your federal funding. Use our free HHS Section 504 checker below to secure your healthcare website before the May 2026 deadline.
Now that you understand the basics of HHS Section 504, let's dive deeper into the requirements, enforcement, deadlines, and compliance strategies for healthcare websites.
HHS Section 504 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, not the ADA. However, it works alongside the ADA to protect people with disabilities from discrimination in healthcare settings. Section 504 applies specifically to programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces Section 504 and has made it clear that web accessibility is a civil rights requirement. In May 2024, HHS published a final rule explicitly requiring WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance for all web content, mobile apps, and kiosks.
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at HHS is responsible for enforcing Section 504. OCR investigates complaints, conducts compliance reviews, and can impose penalties including:
If your healthcare organization receives Medicare, Medicaid, grants, or any other HHS funding, you are subject to HHS OCR enforcement.
Many healthcare providers ask: What is the difference between HHS Section 504 and ADA?
The HHS Section 504 final rule (May 2024) explicitly requires WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance for all web content, mobile apps, and kiosks — going beyond general ADA requirements.
Department of Health and Human Services ADA compliance essentially means meeting both ADA Title III and HHS Section 504 requirements. For healthcare websites, HHS 504 is often stricter because it has specific deadlines and explicit WCAG requirements.
The HHS web accessibility requirements under Section 504 include:
Patient portals must be fully accessible to people with disabilities. This includes:
The HHS final rule requires:
Hospital intake kiosks, pharmacy pickup kiosks, and wayfinding systems must also comply with HHS Section 504 requirements:
All healthcare website content must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA:
HHS 504 compliance deadlines are approaching fast:
HHS 504 deadline 2026 is the first major milestone. Healthcare organizations with 15+ employees have less time than you think. Non-compliance can result in loss of federal funding (Medicare, Medicaid reimbursements).
The Office for Civil Rights HHS actively investigates complaints. HHS civil rights violations can result in:
HHS OCR has made web accessibility a priority. In 2024-2025, OCR resolved multiple complaints against healthcare providers with inaccessible websites and patient portals.
AccessiTool provides free HHS Section 504 compliance tools specifically designed for healthcare websites:
HHS Section 504 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits disability discrimination by programs receiving HHS federal financial assistance — including hospitals, clinics, and health insurers.
Yes. The HHS final rule (May 2024) explicitly requires all web content, mobile apps, and kiosks to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
May 11, 2026 for entities with 15+ employees. May 10, 2027 for entities with less than 15 employees.
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at HHS enforces Section 504. HHS OCR investigates complaints and can withdraw federal funding for non-compliance.
ADA Title III applies to all public accommodations. HHS Section 504 applies specifically to healthcare organizations receiving HHS funding. Healthcare providers must comply with both.
Penalties include loss of federal funding (Medicare, Medicaid), corrective action plans, civil monetary penalties, and Department of Justice lawsuits.
Yes. The HHS final rule requires live captioning for telehealth visits and transcripts for recorded video content. Telehealth platforms must be screen reader compatible and keyboard accessible.
Yes. Patient portals must be fully accessible — including login, prescription refill, appointment scheduling, and lab results. All forms must have proper labels and be keyboard navigable.
The HHS final rule requires WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance. This includes all 50+ success criteria for web content, mobile apps, and kiosks.
Use our free HHS Section 504 checker. Enter your healthcare website URL for an instant scan against WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at HHS enforces civil rights laws, including Section 504, in healthcare programs and activities. OCR investigates complaints and ensures compliance.
Yes. Hospital intake kiosks, pharmacy pickup kiosks, and wayfinding kiosks must be accessible to people with disabilities, including screen reader compatibility and physical accessibility.
HHS web accessibility refers to making healthcare websites, patient portals, and telehealth platforms accessible to people with disabilities, meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
Yes. Healthcare mobile apps (patient portals, telehealth apps, prescription apps) must be accessible, including compatibility with screen readers (VoiceOver, TalkBack).
The HHS final rule (May 2024) explicitly requires WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance for all web content, mobile apps, and kiosks of healthcare organizations receiving HHS funding.
Don't wait for an HHS OCR investigation or loss of federal funding. HHS Section 504 compliance is mandatory for healthcare organizations receiving Medicare, Medicaid, or other HHS funding.
🏥 Start Your Free HHS Section 504 Scan
Check HHS Compliance Now →Section 504 compliance
Downloadable
Deadline May 2026