The ADA Title II Final Rule recognizes that some older materials may be retained online for historical reference or institutional recordkeeping. In limited circumstances, these materials may qualify as archived web content and are not required to be remediated to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
This exception is narrow and specific, and simply labeling content as “archived” does not automatically qualify it for the exemption.
Archive Guidelines
When to Archive Content
In some cases, older materials may be retained on the website for reference or recordkeeping purposes. According to ADA.gov, web content that meets all four of the following conditions would not need to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA:
- The content was created before April 24, 2026, or it reproduces paper documents or the contents of other physical media that were created before the deadline, AND
- The content is kept only for reference, research, or recordkeeping, AND
- The content is kept in a special area for archived content, AND
- The content has not been changed since it was archived.
If any of these conditions are not met, the content does not qualify as archived web content and must meet accessibility requirements.
What Happens If Archived Content Is Updated
Editing archived content restarts the compliance clock, even if the content was archived prior to April 24, 2026.
If you alter or update properly archived web content on or after April 24, 2026, it must be made fully accessible in keeping with the regulations.
For this reason, archived content should generally remain unchanged once it has been placed in an archive section of the website.
How Archived Content Should Be Presented
Archived content should be clearly identified and separated from current information so users understand that the material is maintained only for historical or reference purposes.
Common practices include:
- Placing archived materials in a dedicated archive or historical section of the website
- Including a visible notice indicating that the content is archived
- Clearly labeling archived documents (for example, “Archived PDF” or “Historical Document”)
- Indicating that the page contains archived content in the page title, heading, or other visible label when appropriate
- Explaining that the materials are maintained for reference or recordkeeping purposes
UMB Recommended Archive Notice Language
For consistency across University websites, UMB recommends including the following notice on archive pages:
Archived Content
This page contains archived materials maintained for reference or recordkeeping purposes. Some materials may not meet current accessibility standards. If you require an accessible version of archived content, please contact: [Accessibility contact email or contact form].
Additional Guidance for Website Owners
Before archiving older content, website editors should evaluate whether the information is still needed on the website.
In many cases, the best approach may be to:
- Update and remediate the document so it remains accessible, OR
- Remove outdated content that is no longer needed.
The archived content exception is intended only for materials preserved for historical reference and not for information that continues to support current University programs, services, or activities.