# Summary of H.R. 5813: Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act of 2023
This bill requires all websites and software applications used by employers, government agencies, public businesses, and testing organizations to be fully accessible to people with disabilities. The law applies to any digital tool used to communicate with job applicants, employees, customers, or the public, whether the organization operates a physical location or exists only online.
The bill directs the Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to establish detailed accessibility standards within 12 months and issue final rules within 24 months of enactment. Large organizations must comply within 30 days of the final rules taking effect, while small entities receive a two-year implementation period. The law authorizes $35.15 million annually through 2033 to support compliance, including grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses for website remediation and a technical assistance center to help organizations meet accessibility requirements.
The bill creates a private right of action, allowing individuals with disabilities to sue in state or federal court without first filing complaints with federal agencies. It establishes a standing advisory committee led by people with disabilities to advise on accessibility standards and mandates regular reviews and updates to regulations every three years. Organizations can only avoid compliance by demonstrating that meeting accessibility standards would impose undue financial burden or fundamentally alter their operations.