ADA Website Accessibility: What Businesses Need to Know

Abstract

Lawsuits based on Title III of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) related to business websites and mobile applications have increased markedly. While the internet did not exist as it does today when the ADA was first enacted, websites are now considered “places of public accommodation.” There is considerable uncertainty for businesses because there is limited regulatory guidance for compliance. This paper reviews the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it applies to website accessibility. An explanation of the generally-accepted website accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.1) is provided with suggestions to help businesses ensure their websites are less subject to complaints and litigation concerning accessibility.