How to Avoid ADA Lawsuits

What Laws and Standards Apply

• ADA Title III (Public Accommodations): Many courts interpret Title III of the ADA to apply to websites, especially when a website is closely connected to a business that offers goods or services to the public.

• WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines): These are international technical standards (versions 2.0, 2.1, and the newer 2.2) that many legal experts, the DOJ, and courts point to as benchmarks for accessibility compliance. Level AA is seen as the “safe” target in many jurisdictions.

• State Laws and Local Regulations: Some states (e.g. California) have their own legal requirements codifying WCAG or similar standards. Others have regulations requiring websites to be accessible or else face penalties.

Why ADA Lawsuits Happen

The ADA was designed to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination. Courts now interpret ADA Title III (Public Accommodations) to apply to websites, not just physical spaces. That means if your website isn’t accessible to people with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities, you may be legally at risk.

Common reasons for lawsuits include:

• Missing alt text on images.

• Poor color contrast.

• Videos without captions.

• Forms that are not labeled properly.

• Websites that can’t be navigated by keyboard.

Steps to Avoid ADA Lawsuits

1. Audit Your Website for Accessibility

Start with a comprehensive accessibility audit. Webability offers tools that scan your site for ADA and WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) compliance issues.

2. Fix High-Priority Accessibility Issues

Focus on elements that affect usability most:

• Add alt text for all images.

• Provide captions and transcripts for multimedia.

• Ensure keyboard navigation works across all menus and forms.

• Improve color contrast to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

3. Use Webability’s Best Accessibility Tools

Webability provides solutions designed to keep your site accessible and legally compliant:

• Accessibility Scanner – instantly checks for ADA & WCAG violations.

• Color Contrast Analyzer – ensures text and design are visible to all users.

• Form Validator – verifies form fields are accessible for screen readers.

• Compliance Reports – downloadable documentation to show ongoing effort (helpful in case of legal inquiries)

4. Train Your Team

Make accessibility part of your design, development, and content workflow. A well-trained team prevents future violations.

5. Maintain Ongoing Compliance

Accessibility is not a one-time project. Schedule quarterly audits, keep documentation, and regularly review updates to WCAG standards.

What to Do If You Receive a Demand Letter

• Don’t ignore it. Contact legal counsel immediately.

• Audit your site quickly. Document issues and fixes.

• Communicate your remediation plan. Showing effort often reduces liability.

• Use Webability’s Compliance Reports to demonstrate proactive measures.

Conclusion

Avoiding ADA lawsuits isn’t just about compliance—it’s about inclusion, user experience, and protecting your business. By auditing regularly, fixing accessibility barriers, and leveraging Webability’s tools, you can stay ahead of legal risks and ensure your website is usable by everyone.

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FAQs

Q1: What standard should I follow to avoid ADA lawsuits?

Most businesses aim for WCAG 2.1 AA compliance—it’s widely recognized in U.S. courts.

Q2: Are accessibility overlays enough?

No. Overlays don’t fix underlying code issues. Webability tools help address core accessibility problems instead.

Q3: How often should I check my website for accessibility?

At least quarterly, or whenever new content/design features are added.

Q4: Can Webability help me prove compliance?

Yes. Webability provides compliance reports that show proactive monitoring and remediation.

Q5: Where can I learn more?

Visit the Webability blog for in-depth guides: