History of Web Standards in America

From the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 to today's comprehensive state privacy laws and WCAG 2.2 standards, explore the evolution of digital accessibility and privacy regulation in the United States.

Accessibility Law Timeline

1990
Landmark
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Signed

President George H.W. Bush signs the ADA into law, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities. Title III covers public accommodations - later interpreted to include websites.

1998
Federal
Section 508 Amended

Congress amends Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, requiring federal agencies to make electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.

1999
Technical
WCAG 1.0 Published

W3C publishes Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0, providing the first comprehensive technical standard for web accessibility.

2006
Enforcement
Target Corporation Lawsuit

National Federation of the Blind files class action against Target for inaccessible website. Case settles in 2008 for $6 million, establishing precedent for e-commerce ADA liability.

2008
Technical
WCAG 2.0 Published

W3C publishes WCAG 2.0 with technology-neutral success criteria organized under four principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR).

2010
Federal
DOJ Begins Website Investigations

Department of Justice begins investigating and negotiating settlements for inaccessible websites under ADA Title III, including hotels, airlines, and retailers.

2017
Federal
Section 508 Refresh

U.S. Access Board publishes updated Section 508 standards incorporating WCAG 2.0 Level AA and harmonizing with international standards.

2018
Technical
WCAG 2.1 Published

W3C publishes WCAG 2.1 adding 17 new success criteria addressing mobile accessibility, cognitive disabilities, and low vision.

2019
Landmark
Domino's Supreme Court Decision

Supreme Court denies Domino's Pizza petition for certiorari, allowing Ninth Circuit ruling to stand that websites are covered by ADA Title III. Major victory for accessibility advocates.

2023
Technical
WCAG 2.2 Published

W3C publishes WCAG 2.2 with 9 new success criteria addressing cognitive accessibility, focus management, and consistent help.

2024
Federal
DOJ ADA Title II Web Accessibility Rule

DOJ publishes final rule requiring state and local governments to make websites and mobile apps accessible to WCAG 2.1 Level AA by 2026-2027.

Privacy Law Timeline

1974
Federal
Privacy Act of 1974

Establishes Code of Fair Information Practice governing federal agency collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personal information.

1998
Federal
COPPA Enacted

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act requires parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13.

1999
Federal
GLBA Enacted

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires financial institutions to explain information-sharing practices and protect sensitive data.

2008
State
Illinois BIPA

Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act becomes the first state law regulating collection of biometric data. Private right of action leads to billions in settlements.

2018
Landmark
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

California passes the first comprehensive state privacy law, giving consumers rights to know, delete, and opt out of data sales. Effective January 1, 2020.

2020
Landmark
California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)

California voters approve CPRA (Proposition 24), strengthening CCPA with sensitive data protections, right to correct, and creating California Privacy Protection Agency.

2021-2023
State
State Privacy Law Wave

Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah pass comprehensive privacy laws. By 2024, over 15 states have enacted or passed privacy legislation.

2023
Federal
FTC Safeguards Rule Update

Updated FTC Safeguards Rule requires financial institutions to implement comprehensive security programs with specific technical requirements.

Key Court Decisions

Case Year Significance
NFB v. Target 2006-2008 First major e-commerce ADA case; $6M settlement established precedent
NAD v. Netflix 2012 Established streaming services must provide closed captions
Gil v. Winn-Dixie 2017 First trial verdict finding website violated ADA (later reversed on appeal)
Robles v. Domino's 2019 Supreme Court denial confirmed websites covered by ADA
Acheson Hotels v. Laufer 2023 Supreme Court dismissed on mootness, tester standing question unresolved

WCAG Version Comparison

Version Year Success Criteria Key Additions
WCAG 1.0 1999 14 guidelines First web accessibility standard
WCAG 2.0 2008 61 criteria POUR principles, technology neutral
WCAG 2.1 2018 78 criteria (+17) Mobile, cognitive, low vision
WCAG 2.2 2023 87 criteria (+9) Authentication, dragging, help
Key Milestones
  • 1990: ADA signed
  • 1998: Section 508
  • 2008: WCAG 2.0
  • 2018: CCPA passed
  • 2019: Domino's decision
  • 2023: WCAG 2.2
  • 2024: DOJ Title II rule
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