ADA Website Accessibility FAQs

Accessibility is measured using the ADA standards and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines ensure websites provide equal access to people with disabilities by following principles like perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust (POUR). Testing involves automated tools and manual checks with assistive technologies.

The main standards are WCAG 2.1, which include principles called POUR: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. Compliance levels range from A to AAA, with most legal requirements focusing on Level AA. The ADA and Rehabilitation Act Sections 504 and 508 enforce these standards for many websites.

Accessibility ensures users with disabilities—including those with visual, hearing, or physical impairments—can access website content equally. Features like screen reader support, keyboard navigation, alt text for images, and closed captions on videos are critical for an inclusive user experience.

All public-facing websites operated by businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and non-profits must comply with ADA accessibility requirements. This includes organizations that receive federal funding or provide goods and services to the public.

Non-compliance can lead to demand letters, lawsuits, costly settlements, attorney fees, and reputational harm. Being proactive with accessibility reduces the risk of legal action and helps avoid expensive remediation after the fact.

Many digital agencies and businesses lack awareness of accessibility requirements or prefer to outsource to experts rather than hire in-house specialists. Accessibility requires ongoing auditing and coding expertise beyond typical website development.

No. Accessibility overlays often interfere with assistive devices and fail to meet WCAG and ADA standards. They are considered temporary “quick fixes” that can create frustration for users relying on assistive technologies.

Lawsuits frequently stem from missing alt text on images, inaccessible forms, videos without captions, poor keyboard navigation, and failure to meet WCAG guidelines. The number of lawsuits against websites without proper accessibility has been increasing rapidly.

If you receive a demand letter or legal notice, respond promptly by conducting a thorough accessibility audit and working with experts to remediate issues. Avoid admitting fault; instead, focus on taking corrective action.

An audit reviews website elements such as HTML code, images, multimedia, navigation, and forms against WCAG 2.1 standards. It uses automated scanning tools plus manual testing with screen readers and other assistive technologies.

Accessibility should be tested regularly—at least annually or after significant website updates—to ensure ongoing compliance and adapt to evolving legal requirements and WCAG updates.

Assistive technologies like screen readers, voice recognition, alternative input devices, and closed captioning enable users with disabilities to navigate websites. Ensuring compatibility with these technologies is essential for accessibility compliance.

ADA website accessibility ensures your site complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act by making digital content usable for people with disabilities. This helps you meet legal standards, broaden your audience, and improve user experience.

Performing a thorough accessibility audit using automated tools and manual testing with assistive technologies like screen readers is the best way to assess your website’s compliance with WCAG and ADA regulations.

Use proper alt text for images, ensure keyboard accessibility, provide high-contrast color schemes, and verify compatibility with screen readers to assist users with visual disabilities.

Adding closed captions, audio descriptions, and transcripts for videos are essential steps to meet accessibility standards for multimedia content.

Many providers offer accessibility assurance programs that include continuous monitoring, updates, and remediation to keep your site compliant as guidelines evolve.