HHS moves digital accessibility deadline to May 11, 2027 for many centers
Issue
On May 7, 2026, HHS's Office for Civil Rights extended the Section 504 digital accessibility deadline by one year. FQHCs with 15 or more employees now have until May 11, 2027 to meet WCAG 2.1 AA, and comments are due July 6, 2026.
Section 504 has been enforceable since July 8, 2024, and people can still sue under it.
Key points
- New deadline: May 11, 2027 for FQHCs with 15+ employees
- Smaller FQHCs (<15 employees): May 10, 2028
- Section 504 has been enforceable since July 8, 2024, and the extension covers only the WCAG 2.1 AA technical standard.
- The private right of action stays active, so lawsuits are possible during the extension.
- The comment period runs through July 6, 2026, and health centers should weigh in.
Sources for this story
HHS Press Release + Federal RegisterPart of
- Healthcare access, language, and civil-rights implementation
Section 504 accessibility
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FQHC Talent. (2026, May 7). HHS moves digital accessibility deadline to May 11, 2027 for many centers. Source: HHS Press Release + Federal Register. Retrieved November 11, 2026, from https://www.fqhctalent.com/intel/hhs-ocr-section-504-extension-may-2027