Video Accessibility Laws: 2026 Global Compliance Map

Video accessibility regulations are tightening worldwide. For media companies operating across borders, understanding which laws apply — and what they require — is essential. This guide maps the major audio description and video accessibility regulations across key markets as of 2026.

United States

ADA Title II (Public Sector)

• Effective: April 24, 2026 (populations 50,000+); April 26, 2027 (under 50,000)
• Standard: WCAG 2.1 Level AA
• Requires: Audio description for pre-recorded video (SC 1.2.5)
• Applies to: State and local government entities
• Penalties: Up to $75,000 first violation; $150,000 subsequent

CVAA (Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act)

• Effective: Ongoing, expanding annually
• Requires: Audio description on television programming
• Coverage: Top broadcast networks, top-5 cable networks, expanded to DMAs 111-120 in January 2026
• Hours: 87.5 hours per calendar quarter per network
• Proposed expansion: CVTA bill would extend AD to ALL programming and streaming services

Section 508 (Federal Government)

• Standard: WCAG 2.0 Level AA (refresh to 2.1 expected)
• Requires: Accessible video content on federal websites and systems
• Applies to: All federal agencies and their contractors

European Union

European Accessibility Act (EAA)

• Effective: June 28, 2025
• Requires: Accessible audiovisual media services including audio description
• Applies to: Private and public sector organizations providing services in the EU
• Penalties: Up to EUR 1,000,000 (varies by member state)
• Scope: All 27 EU member states

Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD)

• Effective: Ongoing
• Requires: Member states encourage accessible audiovisual media
• Reporting: Regular reports to the European Commission on progress

United Kingdom

Ofcom Broadcasting Code

• Requires: 10% of programming must include audio description
• Applies to: Licensed broadcasters exceeding audience thresholds
• Trend: Extending requirements to VOD services under the Media Act

Equality Act 2010

• Requires: Reasonable adjustments for disabled people
• Applies to: Service providers including digital media

Canada

AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act)

• Effective: Ongoing; full compliance by January 2025
• Requires: Accessible digital content, WCAG 2.0 AA
• Applies to: Organizations in Ontario with 50+ employees

Accessible Canada Act

• Effective: 2019, with ongoing regulation development
• Requires: Barrier-free access to federally regulated services
• Applies to: Broadcasting, telecommunications, federal services

CRTC Requirements

• Requires: Audio description for Canadian broadcasters
• Coverage: 4 hours/week of described programming

Australia

Disability Discrimination Act 1992

• Requires: Equal access to services including digital media
• Enforcement: Australian Human Rights Commission
• AD status: Limited mandates; largely voluntary with growing pressure

Broadcasting Services Act

• AD trials: SBS and ABC have provided AD on select programming
• Trend: Growing advocacy for mandatory AD requirements

Key Takeaways for Global Media Companies

1. The trend is clear: Accessibility requirements are expanding, not contracting
2. Cross-border operations multiply obligations: Serving EU and US audiences means complying with both EAA and ADA
3. Proactive compliance is cheaper: Retroactively adding AD to large libraries is more expensive than building it into workflows
4. AI makes multi-market compliance feasible: Multi-language AI audio description enables serving diverse regulatory requirements simultaneously
5. Documentation matters: Maintaining compliance records protects against enforcement actions

The organizations that invest in scalable accessibility solutions now will be best positioned as regulations continue to expand.