Health Information Technology: Accessibility

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Section 504 Disability Nondiscrimination factsheet

Community Health Centers (CHCs) should ensure they are prepared to meet updated accessibility requirements taking effect in May 2026. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized the Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance rule in May 2024, updating protections for people with disabilities. While Section 504 builds upon the ADA, this 2024 update introduces strict, newly enforceable technical standards for digital accessibility (WCAG 2.1 Level AA) and specific quotas for medical equipment. CHCs must proactively audit their systems, as past ADA compliance does not guarantee compliance with these new technical metrics. This factsheet highlights what to review to ensure continued compliance.