The U.S. Department of Justice has published an Interim Final Rule (IFR) today, April 20, 2026, that extends the compliance deadlines under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We want to be transparent about what that means and what it doesn't change for us at Instructure.
The rule is available for download on the Federal Register here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/20/2026-07663/extension-of-compliance-dates-for-nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-accessibility-of-web
What's happening
Title II of the ADA sets accessibility requirements for digital products and services. The DOJ's newly published IFR adjusts the timeline by which organizations must meet these standards. For many, this may feel like an opportunity to slow down, or even pause.
For us, it isn't.
Accessibility has never been a box we check before a deadline. It's a design principle; one that shapes how we build products, create content, and craft every user experience from the very beginning. Inclusion isn't a feature we add at the end. It's the foundation we build on.
So, while many welcome the flexibility the IFR may provide to the broader landscape, our roadmap isn't changing. The work continues with the same urgency and intentionality it always has. The extended regulatory timeline is not a signal to slow down. If anything, it's a reminder that this work is continuous and intentional, and because we take it seriously, we don't need a deadline to stay motivated.
We believe every individual who interacts with our platform deserves an experience that works for them; not just one that clears a regulatory bar. Extended timelines don't redefine what's right. They simply underscore that accessibility is not a sprint to a finish line. It's a continuous, evolving commitment to quality and equity.
We're grateful to the users, advocates, and partners who also hold us to this standard. And we will keep doing what's right, regardless of what any regulatory calendar says.
