ADA Requirements for Websites 2025 : A Must-Read Guide

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, as a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. While the original focus was on physical accessibility—such as ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms—technology has evolved significantly since then. 

Today, websites, mobile apps, and digital tools are considered “places of public accommodation” under Title III of the ADA. That means they must be accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor impairments. 

Yet many businesses and organizations still don’t realize that inaccessible digital content can violate the civil rights of millions of Americans, potentially resulting in lawsuits and regulatory action. 

Why Digital Accessibility Matters?

Today, digital platforms are considered “places of public accommodation” under ADA Title III, meaning they must be accessible to individuals with: 

• Visual impairments (screen reader compatibility, high-contrast modes) 
• Hearing impairments (closed captions, transcripts) 
• Motor disabilities (keyboard navigation, voice control) 
• Cognitive disabilities (clear language, consistent navigation) 

Understanding the ADA Titles 

• Title I – Employment: Requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations and prohibits discrimination in the hiring process. 
• Title II – Public Services: Covers state and local government services, requiring digital content to be accessible. 
• Title III – Public Accommodations: Requires private businesses open to the public to ensure full and equal access, including online services. 
• Title IV – Telecommunications: Mandates accessible communication technologies, including TTY services and closed captioning. 
• Title V – Miscellaneous Provisions: Covers various technical provisions, enforcement rights, and clarifications. 

Does ADA Apply to Websites? 

Yes. Although the original ADA text predates the internet, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and several federal courts have consistently interpreted ADA Titles II and III as applicable to digital content. Websites that are not accessible to users with disabilities—such as those who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, or captions—may be in violation of the ADA. 

In April 2024, the DOJ published a final rule requiring all state and local government websites (under Title II) to conform to WCAG 2.1 AA standards. While Title III (applying to businesses) doesn’t have a specific technical requirement, WCAG remains the gold standard for digital accessibility.  

Legal Precedents and Enforcement Trends 

Digital accessibility lawsuits have increased significantly over the years, driven by consumer awareness and legal scrutiny. 

According to data from sources like UsableNet, here are rough estimates of web and mobile accessibility lawsuits (a subset of Title III). This data focuses specifically on lawsuits related to websites, mobile apps, and digital content accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

These digital-related cases account for 30–40% of total ADA Title III lawsuits annually, with lawsuits targeting industries like e-commerce, hospitality, education, and financial services. 

Understanding the ADA Titles That Apply to Digital Accessibility 

Let’s break down the two most relevant titles of the ADA when it comes to digital compliance: 

ADA Title II – State and Local Government Services 

ADA Title II applies to state and local government entities, requiring them to make all their programs, services, and activities accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Who Must Comply?

• All state/local government agencies 
• Public schools, colleges, & universities 
• Courts, police departments, public transit 
• Government-run healthcare facilities 

Digital Accessibility Requirements (ADA Title II)

• WCAG 2.1 AA compliance (DOJ’s 2024 mandate for all government websites) 
• Accessible documents (tagged PDFs, screen-readable forms) 
• Video captions + audio descriptions for public content 
• Emergency alerts compatible with TTY/screen readers 

Physical Accessibility (Facilities, Services) (ADA Title II)

Architectural Standards:

• Compliance with 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
• Ramps (1:12 slope max) + elevators in multi-story buildings 
• Accessible restrooms (32″ door clearance, grab bars) 
• Service animal access in all public areas (no pet restrictions) 

Public Transit

• Wheelchair lifts on buses/trains 
• Audible/visual stop announcements

Communication Access: 

• Sign language interpreters for public meetings 
• Braille/tactile signage in government buildings 

Program Access: Modifications to ensure equal participation (ADA Title II) 

Under Title II of the ADA, public entities have a responsibility to make their programs and services accessible to people with disabilities. This includes making reasonable changes to policies or procedures when needed to prevent discrimination.

For instance, if someone can’t access a building due to physical barriers, the organization should offer an alternative—like a home visit—to ensure they still receive the service. It’s about being flexible and inclusive.

Examples of ADA Title II Compliance in Action 

• A city government’s website must allow residents to pay taxes, apply for permits, and access public records using assistive technology. 
• A public university must ensure online course materials are accessible to students with disabilities. 
• A transit authority’s app must provide real-time bus schedules in an accessible format. 

Enforcement & Penalties (ADA Title II) 

• DOJ Investigations: Complaints can trigger federal reviews. 
• Lawsuits: Individuals can sue under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and ADA Title II. 
• Remediation Costs: Governments may be required to retrofit websites and pay legal fees. 

Recent Enforcement Actions (ADA Title II) 

• U.S. vs. State of Alaska (2024): Inaccessible ballots, polling places, and website violated Title II by denying voters with disabilities equal voting access.
• U.S. vs. Service Oklahoma (2024): Inaccessible mobile app violated Title II → settlement agreement requires WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, ADA training, and public feedback process.
• U.S. vs. Regents of the University of California: Inaccessible online content violated Title II → Consent Decree mandates accessible content, revised policies, training, and independent audits.

Reference: Disability Rights Cases by U.S. Department of Justice

“Undue Burden” Exception (Rarely Granted) (ADA Title II) 

• Must prove “significant operational/financial hardship”. 
• Still required: Provide equivalent access (e.g., 24/7 phone support). 

ADA Title III – Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities 

ADA Title III applies to private businesses and nonprofits considered places of public accommodation, such as: 

• Restaurants and cafes 
• Hotels and motels 
• Retail and grocery stores 
• Movie theaters and gyms 
• Banks, law firms, and private schools 

Who Must Comply?  

• Physical locations with digital services (e.g., Walmart, Starbucks). 
• Online-only businesses (e.g., Amazon, Netflix per 9th Circuit rulings). 
• Exceptions: Very small businesses (<15 employees) may qualify for exemptions. 

Digital Accessibility (Web, Apps, Kiosks) (ADA Title III) 

While no explicit technical standard exists yet, courts and the DOJ consistently reference WCAG 2.1 AA as the benchmark. Businesses must ensure: 

• WCAG 2.1 AA (court-enforced standard) 
• Accessible e-commerce (checkout flows, product filters) 
• Mobile app compliance (iOS/Android accessibility features) 
• ATM/kiosk accessibility (speech output, tactile keypads)

Physical Accessibility (Buildings, Services) 

Architectural Compliance

• Entryways (36″ clear width, no steps if <3″ rise) 
• Parking (van-accessible spaces, 98″ vertical clearance) 
• Counters (36″ high max, lowered sections for wheelchairs) 

Service Animal Policy: 

• No documentation required; must allow all trained service animals 
• Emotional support animals (ESAs) not covered under Title III 

Effective Communication: 

• Braille menus (upon request) 
• Assistive listening devices in theaters 

Hotels/Lodging

• Accessible guest rooms (5% of total inventory minimum) 
• Roll-in showers + bed height (17–19″ from floor) 

Legal Hotspots (2023–2024) 

• Retail: 43% of lawsuits targeted e-commerce checkout flows. 
• Healthcare: Patient portals lacking screen-reader compatibility. 
• Hospitality: Hotel booking sites with inaccessible calendars. 

Enforcement & Penalties (ADA Title III) 

• Private Lawsuits: Over 4,600 digital accessibility lawsuits were filed in 2023 alone. 
• DOJ Actions: The DOJ has intervened in cases against major retailers, universities, and healthcare providers. 
• Financial Penalties: 
  • First violation: Up to $75,000 
  • Subsequent violations: Up to $150,000 
• Settlements: Many cases end in six-figure payouts + mandatory accessibility fixes. 

“Undue Burden” Exception  (ADA Title III) 

Businesses can argue that compliance would cause “significant difficulty or expense,” but they must still provide alternative access (e.g., phone support,  in-person assistance). Courts rarely accept this defense for websites. 

Major Title III Cases (ADA Title III) 

Top Compliance Gaps: 

1. Popup menus that trap keyboard users. 
2. Missing form labels (e.g., checkout pages). 
3. PDFs without OCR/scannable text. 
4. Auto-playing videos without pause controls. 

Legal Precedents & Rising Digital Accessibility Lawsuits (ADA Title III)

Key Cases Shaping ADA Digital Compliance 

WCAG 2.1 AA: The De Facto Standard 

Though not yet codified, 100% of Title III web-accessibility lawsuits cite WCAG failures. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) serve as the de facto standard adopted by many countries when drafting their accessibility laws and regulations. Following WCAG helps ensure that your digital content is usable by people with disabilities and aligns with international best practices. 

Penalties for Non-Compliance: 

• Civil penalties up to $75,000 for a first violation. 
• $150,000 for subsequent violations. 
• Reputational harm and costly settlements. 

ADA Compliance Checklist

ADA compliance for websites generally means meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA success criteria. These guidelines ensure that websites are: 

• Perceivable: All users can access information (e.g., alt text for images). 
• Operable: Interfaces are navigable via keyboard. 
• Understandable: Content is readable and predictable. 
• Robust: Compatible with assistive technologies like screen readers. 

While it’s highly encouraged to go above and beyond WCAG, a strong starting point is to implement WCAG 2.2 Level AA guidelines. These provide a balanced, achievable framework that addresses the most common accessibility barriers. 

To help you get started, DigitalA11Y has created an easy-to-follow ADA Compliance checklist, designed to be both understandable and actionable. You can view it online or download the accessible PDF version for your team. 

A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieve ADA Compliance 

• Audit Your Website for Accessibility 
• Remediate Accessibility Issues 
• Ensure Accessible Media 
• Improve Form and Navigation Usability 
• Mobile Accessibility 
• Create an Accessibility Statement 
• Provide Continuous Training 
• Monitor and Maintain 

DigitalA11Y’s ADA Compliance Services 

• WCAG and Section 508 Accessibility Audits 
• Mobile & Web Accessibility Testing 
• VPAT and ACR Preparation 
• PDF and Document Remediation 
• Accessibility Strategy Consulting 
• Developer and Content Creator Training 

Final Thoughts 

ADA compliance is a critical part of digital transformation. It’s about building experiences that are inclusive, user-friendly, and legally sound. Whether you’re building a new website or retrofitting an existing one, DigitalA11Y is your trusted partner on this journey.

ADA Compliance FAQs