ADA Website Accessibility obligations come from Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires businesses open to the public, including retail stores, restaurants, banks, medical offices, and service providers, to give people with disabilities full and equal access to their goods and services. The Department of Justice has consistently taken the position that this applies to business websites, and courts have allowed lawsuits against companies whose sites cannot be used with screen readers or keyboard navigation.
The Standard Behind ADA Website Accessibility
There is no formal technical standard for private business websites, but DOJ guidance points to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as the reference point for compliance. A separate DOJ rule finalized April 24, 2024 sets WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the binding standard for state and local government websites under Title II, with compliance starting April 2026 for larger governments. That rule does not directly bind private businesses, but it signals the standard regulators and courts expect.
Practical Risk for Small Businesses
The practical risk is private lawsuits and demand letters, which have become common, plus DOJ enforcement. Building to WCAG 2.1 AA is the accepted way to reduce that risk, which makes accessibility a baseline requirement for any new website project rather than an optional upgrade.
Source: ADA.gov: 42 U.S.C. 12181-12189
Report a violation: If you believe a business is violating this law, you can file a complaint at ADA.gov Complaint.
