Website ADA compliance continues to be an important but overlooked matter for businesses or other similar corporate entities. Not taking the time to ensure your website’s ADA compliance may mean you can find yourself scrutinized to accessibility adherence. Businesses by top names are not excused for such oversights. Names like Beyoncé, Domino’s Pizza, and Fox News Networks have received lawsuits for noncompliance. This is because the Americans with Disabilities Act is a strict liability law. This means that there is no defense or excuse should you be caught in violation. This means that whether you were ignorant, forgot about it, or the issue is being worked on, you are still liable. So if you have a business, think about it this way: your offense is your best defense, and make sure you’re ADA compliant.
Over the past year (from 2020 to 2021), the number of internet users in America increased by 11 million, making that a total of 298.8 million internet users as of January 2021. With this many users, the task of being able to equally cater to them regardless of disabilities may seem daunting. But there are guides to make sure that your website is ADA compliant and that you are able to reach and serve all your customers, disabled or not, equally.
WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance:
It is important to note that there isn’t a specific U.S. government-mandated standard when it comes to website or application compliance. But there is on the other hand the World Wide Web Consortium. This entity has published guidelines that have been seen and accepted as the standard which must be upheld. This is called the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. The 2.1 version is the “most commonly required and accepted, not only in the United States but across the globe.” It has also been noted that WCAG 2.1 AA conformance takes into consideration applications. This is helpful as mobile access has also become more popular in recent years. This version of the guideline has also been referenced in most lawsuits.
P.O.U.R.
According to the WCAG, a website or application’s structure, content, and navigation must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. A violation of any one of these discredits a website or application from being a complaint.
Perceivable:
- the text must meet standard sizes, fonts, colors, and contrasts and contrasts
- Images are accompanied by alt text
- Closed captioning is available for videos
Operable:
- The website is one that can be easily navigated
- There are alternate ways to navigate the website aside from the usual point-and-click for people who use assistive technology
Understandable:
- The content must be easily comprehended by a user
Robust:
- Pages must especially be accommodating to users who will make use of assistive technologies like screen readers
- Pages must still be accessible and work well regardless of what device is used to access this
Next Steps|:
While making sure your website meets all of the P.O.U.R. principles, that shouldn’t be where it ends. Some good practices would be to ensure that this is all correct. Hiring a third-party auditor or making use of online website ADA compliance tools may assist in this step. Making the necessary changes or revisions based on these audits will prove useful as well. In addition, it would be helpful to conduct tests with persons with disabilities to test for effectiveness and continue to scan and monitor your website moving forward.
What the ADA Means for Websites
The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, was passed in 1990. Title III covers places of public accommodation, such as shops, restaurants, and hotels. Courts have applied it to websites, because a website is often the front door of a business. A business can face a lawsuit even if it did not intend to discriminate. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a rule under Title II. It requires state and local government websites and apps to meet WCAG 2.1 AA. For private businesses, there is still no single government-mandated standard, but WCAG 2.1 AA is the level most often used in settlements and lawsuits.
WCAG 2.2 and Conformance Levels
WCAG 2.2 was published in October 2023. It adds new rules, such as better focus indicators and help for people who drag items on a screen. WCAG has three conformance levels: A, AA, and AAA. Level A is the minimum. It covers the most basic barriers. Level AA is the level most often required. It covers contrast, keyboard access, and clear labels. Level AAA is the strictest. It is hard for most sites to meet all of AAA. Aim for AA first. It fixes the barriers that affect the most people.
Practical Fixes You Can Make Today
Add alt text to every image, so screen readers can describe it. Add captions to videos, so people who cannot hear can follow them. Make sure the whole site works with a keyboard alone. Some people cannot use a mouse. Use enough color contrast. Normal text should have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5 to 1. Use clear headings, so screen readers can jump between sections. Write descriptive link text, such as “Read our accessibility guide”, not “Click here”. Label every form field, so people know what to type. Make focus indicators visible, so keyboard users can see where they are. Make PDFs accessible too, with real text and tags.
Test Your Site
Use free tools to check your site. WAVE, the Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool, shows errors on the page. axe DevTools is a browser extension that finds issues. Lighthouse, built into Chrome, checks accessibility as part of its report. Test with a screen reader. NVDA is free for Windows. VoiceOver is built into Apple devices. Test with keyboard only, by tabbing through the site. Test with real users with disabilities, because tools miss things that people catch. Scan and monitor your site regularly, because new content can add new barriers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WCAG?
WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. They are published by the World Wide Web Consortium. They set the standard for accessible websites and apps.
What is the difference between WCAG 2.1 and 2.2?
WCAG 2.2 was published in October 2023. It adds new rules, such as better focus indicators and help for people who drag items on a screen. WCAG 2.1 AA is still the level most often used in settlements.
What does AA mean?
AA is the middle conformance level. It covers contrast, keyboard access, and clear labels. Level A is the minimum. Level AAA is the strictest. Aim for AA first.
How do I check if my website is accessible?
Use free tools such as WAVE, axe DevTools, and Lighthouse. Test with a screen reader, such as NVDA or VoiceOver. Test with keyboard only. Test with real users with disabilities.
Do I need a lawyer for ADA compliance?
This guide is not legal advice. If you face a lawsuit or a demand letter, talk to a lawyer who knows accessibility law. A lawyer can tell you what applies to your business.
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Accessibility rules and laws change over time. Check official sources for current guidance.
Last Updated: 6 November 2026