ADA Website Compliance Checker & Accessibility Audit
Test your website for ADA compliance. Avoid costly lawsuits with comprehensive accessibility testing against WCAG standards.
What is Americans with Disabilities Act Web Accessibility?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in places of public accommodation. Courts have consistently ruled that websites are places of public accommodation, requiring ADA compliance for business websites. While ADA doesn't specify technical standards, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has stated that WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the appropriate standard for website accessibility.
Timeline
ADA enacted 1990. Web accessibility lawsuits began increasing significantly in 2017 and continue to grow annually.
Key ADA Compliance Requirements
Websites must be accessible to people with disabilities
WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the de facto technical standard
Must provide effective communication to users with disabilities
Cannot discriminate or provide unequal access
May need to provide reasonable accommodations
Third-party content and widgets must also be accessible
Mobile sites and apps included under ADA requirements
PDF documents and other digital content must be accessible
Who Must Comply with ADA Compliance?
Private businesses open to the public (Title III)
State and local governments (Title II)
Employers with 15+ employees (Title I)
Businesses operating websites for US customers
E-commerce sites selling to US consumers
Professional services with online presence
Hospitality, healthcare, financial, and other service providers
Penalties for Non-Compliance
First violation: up to $75,000 in civil penalties
Subsequent violations: up to $150,000
Plaintiff attorney fees and costs
Settlement amounts often $10,000-$100,000+
Class actions can reach millions
Injunctive relief requiring accessibility fixes
Ongoing monitoring requirements
How A11yScan Helps with ADA Compliance Compliance
Automated Testing
Comprehensive automated testing against all ADA Compliance requirements
Guided Testing
Manual testing workflows for criteria requiring human judgment
VPAT Generation
Generate ADA Compliance compliance documentation and VPATs
Monitoring
Continuous monitoring to maintain ADA Compliance compliance
Frequently Asked Questions: ADA Compliance
Is ADA website compliance legally required?
Yes, courts have consistently ruled that websites of businesses open to the public are places of public accommodation under ADA Title III. The DOJ has affirmed that ADA applies to websites. Thousands of lawsuits are filed annually.
How many ADA website lawsuits are filed each year?
Over 4,500 ADA web accessibility lawsuits were filed in 2023, continuing an upward trend. This doesn't include demand letters settled before litigation. E-commerce, retail, food service, and travel are most frequently targeted.
What technical standard does ADA require?
ADA doesn't specify a technical standard, but the DOJ and courts consistently reference WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the appropriate benchmark. Meeting WCAG 2.1 AA provides strong defense against ADA claims.
Can accessibility overlays protect against ADA lawsuits?
No, accessibility overlay widgets do not provide legal protection and often make sites less accessible. Multiple lawsuits have been filed against sites using overlays. Manual remediation to WCAG standards is the only reliable approach.
Does ADA apply to mobile apps?
Yes, mobile apps are considered part of your digital presence and subject to ADA. Apps must be accessible and compatible with mobile screen readers (VoiceOver, TalkBack) and other assistive technologies.
Related Compliance Standards
WCAG 2.1 AA
Test your website against WCAG 2.1 Level AA success criteria. The most widely adopted web accessibility standard worldwide.
WCAG 2.2
Prepare for WCAG 2.2 with our comprehensive compliance checker. Test new success criteria for authentication, dragging, and focus.
Section 508
Test your website against Section 508 requirements for federal agencies and contractors. Automated testing with VPAT support.
ADA Compliance Compliance by Industry
Explore industry-specific ADA Compliance compliance requirements, common issues, and remediation guidance.
Healthcare ADA Compliance Compliance
Ensure your healthcare website meets ADA Compliance accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
Learn moreFinance ADA Compliance Compliance
Ensure your finance website meets ADA Compliance accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
Learn moreE-commerce ADA Compliance Compliance
Ensure your e-commerce website meets ADA Compliance accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
Learn moreEducation ADA Compliance Compliance
Ensure your education website meets ADA Compliance accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
Learn moreGovernment ADA Compliance Compliance
Ensure your government website meets ADA Compliance accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
Learn moreLegal ADA Compliance Compliance
Ensure your legal website meets ADA Compliance accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
Learn moreReal Estate ADA Compliance Compliance
Ensure your real estate website meets ADA Compliance accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
Learn moreInsurance ADA Compliance Compliance
Ensure your insurance website meets ADA Compliance accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
Learn moreTravel ADA Compliance Compliance
Ensure your travel website meets ADA Compliance accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
Learn moreStart Your ADA Compliance Compliance Journey
Get a free accessibility scan and see where you stand with ADA Compliance compliance.
Start Free ADA Compliance Scan