Is Your Website ADA Compliant? Lawsuits, Risks, and How to Stay Safe

Have you ever heard the terms like

ADA compliance?
Website accessibility lawsuit?
ADA non-compliance penalties?
WCAG accessibility guidelines?
WCAG 2.1 compliance?

Many business owners are now asking questions like “What is ADA website compliance?”, “Can my website be sued?”, or “Do I really need ADA compliance for my website?”

The reason these questions are trending is simple – businesses across the U.S. are getting sued because their websites are not accessible to people with disabilities. In terms of figures, in the first half of 2025, over 2,400 lawsuits were filed in the U.S. against websites that did not meet accessibility rules.

This is a 37% increase from last year, showing that more businesses are being taken to court for not making their websites accessible to everyone.

If your website doesn’t work properly with screen readers, keyboard navigation, or has poor color contrast, it could be violating ADA accessibility laws. And these lawsuits aren’t just targeting big companies—they’re affecting small businesses, eCommerce stores, service providers, and even online-only websites.

So if you’re wondering, “Is my website ADA compliant?” or “How can I avoid an ADA website lawsuit?”, you’re not alone. Understanding the risks and taking steps to stay compliant can help protect your business before it becomes a legal problem.

What Is ADA Compliance for Websites?

ADA compliance refers to making your website accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. In simple terms, it ensures that anyone—whether they use a screen reader, navigate with a keyboard, or rely on captions for videos—can use your website without barriers.

When your website follows ADA website compliance standards, it includes features like:

Screen reader compatibility for visually impaired users
Keyboard navigation for users who can’t use a mouse
Clear color contrast for easy readability
Accessible forms and buttons that everyone can interact with

In short, website accessibility isn’t just a technical requirement but making your online presence usable for all visitors, while protecting your business from potential legal risks.

Why Accessibility Lawsuits Are Exploding in 2025–2026

The sharp rise in digital accessibility lawsuits is not the result of a single change. Instead, several interconnected factors are pushing businesses into increased legal exposure, often without their awareness.

1. Websites Have Become Essential Business Infrastructure

Today, websites are no longer optional marketing tools. They function as core business platforms where customers:

Book appointments and consultations
Place orders and make payments
Fill out contact forms or applications
Access customer support, policies, and essential information

When people with disabilities are unable to complete these actions due to inaccessible design, courts increasingly view it as a denial of equal access. As more business operations move online, the likelihood of a website accessibility lawsuit rises significantly.

2. Law Firms Actively Monitor Websites for ADA Violations

A growing number of law firms now specialize exclusively in ADA and digital accessibility cases. These firms:

Use automated scanning tools to review thousands of websites quickly
Identify common WCAG and ADA violations such as missing alt text, form errors, or navigation issues
Send demand letters or file lawsuits once violations are detected

This proactive monitoring means businesses can be targeted even if no customer complaint has ever been made. In many cases, companies learn about accessibility issues only after receiving legal notice.

3. Courts Are Increasingly Supporting Plaintiffs

Over the past few years, U.S. courts have shown a consistent trend of siding with plaintiffs in accessibility cases. Judges have increasingly ruled that:

Websites connected to public-facing businesses fall under the ADA
Inaccessible digital experiences can constitute discrimination
Businesses are responsible for providing reasonable accessibility accommodations

This legal precedent has reduced the difficulty of filing and winning an ADA compliance lawsuit, encouraging more claims nationwide.

4. Small and Local Businesses Are Misjudging Their Risk

One of the most common reasons lawsuits occur is misunderstanding. Many business owners assume that:

Accessibility laws apply only to government entities
Large corporations are the primary targets
A basic informational website does not require compliance

In reality, courts have repeatedly ruled that even small business websites and local storefront sites must meet accessibility standards. This misconception leaves many companies unintentionally exposed to a website accessibility lawsuit.

5. Accessibility Issues Are Easy to Detect but Often Ignored

Most accessibility violations are not hidden or complex. They include:

Missing image descriptions
Inaccessible forms
Keyboard navigation failures

Because these issues are easy to identify through automated scans, they are also easy targets for litigation. Unfortunately, many businesses remain unaware of these problems until legal action begins.

What Companies are Being Sued by ADA Lawsuits?

Contrary to popular belief, lawsuits are not limited to major brands or online retailers.

Businesses frequently targeted include:

Local retail stores with physical locations
Restaurants and hospitality businesses
Medical and wellness practices
Professional services firms
E-commerce websites of all sizes
Real estate and property management companies

In many cases, businesses are sued simply because their website supports or promotes a physical location. Courts often view the website as an extension of the in-person experience, making accessibility mandatory.

This means that even if your business operates primarily offline, your website can still expose you to a serious ADA website lawsuit if accessibility barriers exist.

Common ADA compliance violations for websites

Most accessibility lawsuits are based on a relatively small set of recurring issues. These are not obscure technical flaws; they are common oversights.

Typical violations include:

Images missing alternative (alt) text
Navigation that cannot be used with a keyboard
Forms without proper labels or error indicators
Poor color contrast making text difficult to read
Videos without captions or transcripts
PDFs or downloadable files that screen readers cannot interpret

Plaintiffs do not need to prove malicious intent. The mere existence of barriers is often enough to justify legal action. Once identified, these problems can quickly escalate into a digital accessibility lawsuit.

Think an “Accessibility Widget” Protects Your Website? Think Again

Many business owners turn to accessibility widgets or overlays, thinking they’re a quick fix to make their website ADA-compliant. These tools promise instant accessibility, but here’s the catch—they rarely provide real legal protection.

While widgets can improve some visual aspects of a site, they often mask underlying issues instead of fixing them at the code level. Courts have repeatedly ruled that using an overlay does not prevent lawsuits, and many businesses relying solely on these tools have still faced ADA website accessibility lawsuits.

So, if you’re asking yourself, “Are widgets really enough to protect me?”, the answer is NO. Relying on them can give a false sense of compliance and leave your business at risk. The truth is, true website accessibility must be built into your website’s structure, not added on as a temporary fix.

Website Accessibility Tools for ADA Compliance

A proactive website audit for accessibility is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk. Below is a practical comparison of widely used tools.

Tool Name	Best Use Case	Key Features	Pricing
PowerMapper	Enterprise-level accessibility and compliance testing	WCAG and ADA compliance reports, site-wide scans, detailed issue mapping	Paid plans, pricing varies based on site size
Google Lighthouse	High-level accessibility overview	Built into Chrome, easy-to-read accessibility score and suggestions	Free
axe DevTools	Detailed WCAG issue detection	Identifies WCAG violations with clear technical explanations	Free basic version, paid plans available
Accessibility Insights	Manual and keyboard testing	Strong support for keyboard navigation and screen reader testing	Free
WAVE	Quick visual accessibility checks	Highlights missing alt text, contrast issues, and structural errors directly on the page	Free browser tool

While these tools can help identify common accessibility issues, they cannot guarantee full compliance or assess legal risk accurately. At Ingenious Netsoft, our website development services go beyond automated scans, offering personalized audits, expert guidance, and WCAG-aligned solutions to ensure your website is truly accessible.

How to Check if Your Website Is ADA Compliant?

Ensuring your website is ADA-compliant doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Even if you’re not a developer, you can perform a basic audit to identify potential accessibility issues. Here’s a simple step-by-step checklist for business owners:

Step 1: Check for Screen Reader Compatibility

Make sure all text, buttons, and images can be read by screen readers.
Test using free tools like NVDA (Windows) or VoiceOver (Mac).

Step 2: Test Keyboard Navigation

Ensure your website can be fully navigated using only the keyboard (Tab, Shift + Tab, Enter).
Users who cannot use a mouse rely on this functionality.

Step 3: Evaluate Color Contrast

Check that text is easy to read against its background.
Use free tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker or Accessible Colors.

Step 4: Review Images and Multimedia

Ensure all images have alt text describing their content.
Videos should include captions or transcripts.

Step 5: Test Forms and Interactive Elements

Forms should have labels, instructions, and error messages that screen readers can interpret.
Buttons and links should be clearly labeled and easy to interact with.

Step 6: Check PDFs and Downloads

PDFs and other downloadable files should be screen reader-friendly.
Tools like Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Checker can help.

Step 7: Use Website Accessibility Tools

There are both free and paid tools to make your audit easier:
- Free: WAVE, Axe Browser Extension, Google Lighthouse
- Paid: Siteimprove, Monsido, UserWay

Following this ADA compliance checklist can help you identify and fix common accessibility issues before they become legal problems. Remember, while tools are helpful, a professional audit is recommended for full compliance.

Final Thoughts

Accessibility should not be viewed only as a legal obligation. When implemented correctly, it improves usability, strengthens SEO foundations, and builds trust with a wider audience.

For businesses looking to reduce website accessibility lawsuits risk while improving performance, professional guidance matters. At Ingenious Netsoft, accessibility is approached as part of a broader digital strategy, combining audits, WCAG-aligned development, and ongoing optimization.

Schedule a one-on-one accessibility audit with Ingenious Netsoft and ensure your website meets WCAG standards.

Book Your Audit!

FAQ’s

1. What is the most common ADA lawsuit?

The most common ADA lawsuits involve inaccessible websites, particularly issues related to navigation, forms, and screen reader compatibility.

2. What are common ADA compliance mistakes?

Missing alt text, poor contrast, inaccessible forms, keyboard traps, and reliance on accessibility widgets are frequent mistakes.

3. Who is liable for ADA compliance?

Business owners are typically responsible for ensuring their websites meet accessibility standards, even if third-party developers built the site.

4. How do I build an ADA-compliant website from scratch?

Start with WCAG 2.2 principles, accessible design practices, and regular testing. We can help audit, build, and maintain an ADA-compliant website.

5. What is the WCAG compliance lawsuit?

A WCAG compliance lawsuit alleges that a website fails to meet WCAG guidelines, which courts often use as the standard for accessibility evaluation.

6. Can I be sued while fixing my website’s accessibility?

Yes. However, demonstrating active remediation can help reduce liability and settlement severity.

7. How much does an ADA website audit cost?

The effort required depends on your website’s size and complexity; a thorough audit typically involves a detailed review, testing, and reporting.

8. How long does it take to make a website fully accessible?

The timeline varies by website complexity, but most sites can be made fully ADA-compliant within a few weeks with proper testing and remediation.