Disclaimer: This overview is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Accessibility standards, laws, and regulations vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Organizations are responsible for determining their own compliance obligations and ensuring conformance with applicable laws and regulations. Articulate makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or recency of this information.

In many countries, accessibility is strongly encouraged or required by law. The details differ, but the message is the same: Your digital learning content should conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), typically at the AA level.

Beyond compliance, accessible content benefits everyone by making learning easier to use, more flexible, and more engaging for a wider audience.

Articulate designs and supports our authoring tools, Rise 360 and Storyline 360, to help course creators work toward meeting these global standards.

Here’s a quick overview of accessibility rules in regions where our customers work. As a reminder, this list isn’t exhaustive, and requirements can change frequently. We’ll keep updating it as we learn more from customers, track global changes, and add new regions. Please note that laws may have been updated since publication, and additional requirements may apply in specific jurisdictions or industries.

Use the menu below to jump directly to your region or country of interest.

• Asia
• Australia
• European Union
  • France
  • Germany
• United Kingdom
• Latin America
• North America
  • Canada
  • United States
• Global Takeaway
• Articulate’s Accessibility Alignment

Asia

Countries across Asia are at very different stages of accessibility regulation. Here are some examples:

• China includes digital accessibility in national law and uses the GB/T 37668-2019 ICT standards to guide accessible design.
• India requires governmental digital services to meet WCAG 2.0 and has introduced IS 17802 as a national standard.
• Japan uses JIS X 8341-3, a national standard aligned with WCAG 2.1.
• Singapore references WCAG 2.1 in its Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) Accessibility Guidelines.
• South Korea enforces KWCAG 2.1, which is closely based on WCAG 2.1.

Across the region, designing to WCAG 2.1 AA is the most straightforward way to meet current and emerging accessibility expectations.

Australia

Australia takes a policy-based approach to accessibility, supported by national human rights law.

Australia’s accessibility requirements are shaped by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), which prohibits discrimination based on disability. While the DDA doesn’t reference specific technical standards, government policy requires conformance with WCAG 2.1 AA for all public sector websites and digital services. The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has endorsed WCAG as the expected benchmark, and private organizations are encouraged to meet the same level to ensure equal access and align with global best practices.

European Union

The European Union sets the foundation for accessibility across its member states through two key frameworks:

• EN 301 549, the harmonized European standard for ICT accessibility, which aligns closely with WCAG 2.1 AA. It applies to public sector websites and digital tools under the Web Accessibility Directive.
• The European Accessibility Act (EAA) has expanded accessibility requirements to many private-sector products and services, including e-learning.

EU member states implement these requirements through national laws, so WCAG 2.1 AA and, in some cases, WCAG 2.2 AA are now the shared benchmarks across much of Europe. Specific information about accessibility standards in the two most populous EU countries, France and Germany, can be found below.

France

France uses the General Accessibility Improvement Framework (RGAA), which is based on WCAG 2.1 AA and requires organizations to publish an accessibility statement explaining their level of compliance.

RGAA aligns with EN 301 549 and supports the EAA. Designing to WCAG 2.1 AA and maintaining an up-to-date accessibility statement would meet national and EU-wide expectations.

Germany

Germany’s BITV 2.0 regulation, based on WCAG 2.0, governs public-sector digital accessibility. The Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) implements the EAA, extending accessibility requirements to many private-sector organizations.

BITV 2.0 and BFSG align with EN 301 549, making WCAG 2.1 AA the practical target for consistency across Germany and the EU.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom’s accessibility framework builds on long-standing equality and anti-discrimination laws, which have now been extended to digital content.

The Equality Act 2010 sets United Kingdom accessibility requirements, obligating organizations to make “reasonable adjustments” for people with disabilities.

Public sector organizations must also follow the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations. These regulations require compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA and the publication of an accessibility statement that explains compliance and gives users instructions for requesting alternatives. While some organizations are still transitioning from WCAG 2.1 AA, the clear expectation is to design to WCAG 2.2 AA.

Latin America

Across Latin American countries, accessibility efforts vary widely and often focus on inclusion through general disability rights laws. 

• Brazil leads the region in digital accessibility due to the Brazilian Inclusion Law, which requires WCAG 2.0 AA for government websites. 
• Other countries, including Mexico, Argentina, and Chile, address accessibility through anti-discrimination laws or ICT policies, but do not yet reference specific WCAG levels. 

To meet current and future expectations, organizations in the region are best served by designing to WCAG 2.1 AA.

North America

Accessibility in North America is guided by a mix of federal and regional laws rather than a single overarching standard. However, WCAG 2.1 AA is the common foundation for multiple laws and policies in Canada and the United States. More specifics are provided below.

Canada

Canada has accessibility requirements at both the federal and provincial levels. 

The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) applies to federally regulated organizations, while provinces such as Ontario, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia have their own laws. For example, Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requires WCAG 2.0 AA. Many Canadian organizations choose to follow WCAG 2.1 AA to align with international best practices and prepare for future updates.

United States

Multiple federal and state laws shape accessibility requirements in the United States. 

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination based on disability. The 1990 law has been interpreted to include websites and digital services. 

For federal agencies and contractors, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires compliance with WCAG 2.0 AA. However, many agencies are moving toward WCAG 2.1 AA.

In April 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) finalized new Title II regulations under the ADA. These rules require state and local governments to make web and mobile content accessible and formally adopt WCAG 2.1 AA as the technical standard. Compliance timelines begin in 2026.

Several states, including California, Colorado, and Texas, have their own accessibility laws or policies. These often reference WCAG 2.1 AA and expand coverage to public agencies and private organizations, reinforcing the federal expectation for accessible digital content.

Global Takeaway

While every country is different, a global standard is emerging: Organizations are largely expected to follow WCAG at the AA level. Some laws still reference WCAG 2.0, but many point to WCAG 2.1, and the UK has already moved to WCAG 2.2. 

With that in mind, designing your Rise 360 and Storyline 360 courses to meet WCAG 2.1 AA or higher would align with current rules across most jurisdictions and help you prepare as standards evolve.

Articulate’s Accessibility Alignment

Articulate’s Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) list every WCAG criterion and explain how our products align with accessibility standards, including WCAG 2.2, EN 301 549, and Section 508. See the current Rise 360 Accessibility Conformance Report and Storyline 360 Accessibility Conformance Report for complete details.

Our VPATs provide the information you need to make informed accessibility decisions while creating content. We update them regularly to reflect product improvements and evolving standards, helping you demonstrate conformance and create accessible digital learning at scale.

More broadly, Articulate supports all course creators in meeting accessibility expectations and compliance goals by providing tools, transparency, and guidance to help them design inclusive learning experiences with confidence.