Website accessibility ensures that people with disabilities can use your website without barriers. In this context, “disability” includes a wide range of conditions that affect how people use technology. This may involve visual impairments (such as blindness, low vision, or color blindness), hearing loss, limited motor control (such as difficulty using a mouse), cognitive differences, or even sensitivity to motion or flashing content. A majority of accessibility standards focus on vision-related issues, as these are among the most common barriers online.
The CDC reports that approximately 27 percent of U.S. adults live with some type of disability. Many of these individuals benefit from improved accessibility features, especially those related to vision, mobility, and cognition. Addressing accessibility not only reduces legal risk, but it also opens your site to a larger audience. More people can engage with your content, use your services, and become clients.
This document breaks down what’s required, how the rules are enforced, which types of businesses face the most risk, and why accessibility adds practical value to your site.
What the Law Actually Says
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that people with disabilities have equal access to goods and services, which includes digital content. The Department of Justice has made it clear that websites are covered under this law and that all businesses must take steps to ensure their websites are accessible.
Think of it like a physical place of business. When a commercial building is constructed or renovated, it must meet ADA requirements, such as having ramps, accessible restrooms, proper signage, and water fountains at the correct height. These features ensure that people with disabilities can use the space safely and independently. A website is no different. It is a digital entry point to your services, and it must be designed so that everyone can use it.
To assess whether a website meets this obligation, most courts and enforcement agencies refer to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the most widely accepted benchmark today, and WCAG 2.2 builds on it with updates that improve mobile and cognitive accessibility.
For organizations that receive federal funding or provide services to the government, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act applies. These standards are closely aligned with WCAG requirements as well.
There Is No “ADA Certificate”
There is no such thing as official ADA certification for websites. The government does not offer a stamp of approval, and there is no single test that guarantees full compliance. Accessibility is not a fixed condition. A site may be accessible today but fall short tomorrow after content or design changes.
It is also important to understand that accessibility is not a binary condition. Compliance exists on a spectrum, and the goal is to reduce barriers and improve usability over time. While tools and audits can help assess where a site stands, there is no official threshold that guarantees complete protection from legal claims. The focus should be on consistent, ongoing improvement based on recognized standards.
Instead, focus on steady progress. By using a web development and maintenance partner that is focused on addressing ADA, addressing key issues, and keeping accessibility in mind as your site evolves. The goal is to remove barriers and ensure all users can engage with your content and services.
Who Gets Targeted and How
Most enforcement of web accessibility rules happens through private lawsuits. Over the past few years, thousands of businesses have been sued under ADA Title III for websites that do not meet accessibility standards. These lawsuits are usually filed by individuals with disabilities or law firms that focus on accessibility cases.
A small group of law firms and plaintiffs file a large share of these claims. Some of them target businesses that are unlikely to have strong accessibility protections in place. For many businesses, these lawsuits lead to a settlement and a required remediation plan.
Industries most often targeted include retail, restaurants, financial services, healthcare, and education. Any company with a public-facing website can be at risk, especially those that rely heavily on digital content or ecommerce. Government contractors and federally funded organizations have additional exposure through Section 508.
Even small businesses can be targeted. In fact, the majority of recent cases have involved companies with under 25 million dollars in annual revenue.
What the Courts and Agencies Expect
Most courts and enforcement agencies now treat WCAG 2.1 AA as the minimum standard for compliance. The Department of Justice has reinforced this in multiple public statements and through recent regulations. A new rule published in 2024 officially requires all state and local government websites and mobile apps to meet WCAG 2.1 AA.
The DOJ has consistently affirmed that websites operated by private businesses are considered places of public accommodation under the ADA and must be accessible to people with disabilities. Organizations that fail to meet recognized standards like WCAG are exposed to legal action.
Common Triggers and Mistakes
Businesses most often run into problems when their websites include:
- Images without alternative text
- Forms that do not have proper labels or error feedback
- Videos without captions or transcripts
- Navigation that is not usable with a keyboard
- PDFs and other documents that are not screen-reader friendly
Accessibility also applies to mobile apps, downloadable files, third-party integrations, and any content that users rely on to complete tasks.
Why Accessibility Matters Beyond Compliance
Legal risk is only one reason to take accessibility seriously. A more inclusive website also improves:
- Search engine performance, since many accessibility techniques also help with SEO
- Mobile usability, because WCAG and responsive design share many of the same best practices
- Conversion rates, by removing friction for all users
- Brand reputation, by showing a commitment to inclusion and usability
Accessibility also future-proofs your website as laws evolve and new technologies emerge. And importantly, it increases the potential reach of your organization by making your services available to a broader group of users.
What About International Rules?
In the European Union, the European Accessibility Act takes effect in 2025. It applies to many private businesses and sets similar requirements for digital accessibility, based on the EN 301 549 standard. This standard is closely aligned with WCAG, so organizations that meet WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 AA are generally on the right track.
If your organization serves international customers or markets, the same general principles apply. Accessibility is becoming a global expectation, and WCAG is the common reference point.
How Risingline Supports Accessibility
Risingline provides accessibility audits and support as part of our managed web development and maintenance services. Our service model is designed to help clients maintain ADA compliance, security, and site performance. One key reason we do not provide sites that clients can log in and edit directly is to ensure that every update meets accessibility, SEO, and usability standards. When untrained users modify web content, accessibility and performance can quickly decline. By managing content and updates on behalf of our clients, we maintain a consistent level of quality and compliance.
Website builders and content management platforms such as Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress include tools to help support accessibility. However, the responsibility for meeting compliance ultimately falls on the person adding or updating the content. If headings, images, colors, or structure are not applied correctly, accessibility can be lost even on a technically compliant platform. Having professionals manage these updates ensures more reliable adherence to accessibility best practices.
We use tools such as WebAIM WAVE from Utah State University to identify and correct accessibility issues. Our team has received formal training in accessibility standards from Utah State and continuing education programs. As a standard part of our workflow, we validate every major content update using WAVE and similar tools. We also follow WCAG best practices for design, code, and content to support an inclusive user experience. For our clients, this means accessibility is not a separate add-on, but an integrated part of how we build and maintain websites.
Final Thoughts
There is no way to guarantee a website is “perfectly compliant” with accessibility laws. But organizations that make a reasonable, consistent effort to follow WCAG guidelines are in a much better position.
Risingline performs periodic accessibility audits on all client websites as part of our standard service. We also offer standalone audits for any organization and are glad to work alongside other developers to support accessibility goals. Clients are not required to switch their development provider if they request an audit from us.
Another level of review can include human testing, typically conducted by users with vision-related disabilities. These testers are able to identify real-world issues that automated tools may miss, offering additional insight into how accessible a site truly is.
Start with an audit, fix the most important issues, and make accessibility part of your normal web process. The result is a more usable, inclusive website that works better for everyone.
Sources
- ADA Title III guidance, U.S. Department of Justice
- WCAG 2.2 standards, W3C
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
- DOJ Final Rule (Title II Web and App Accessibility), 2024
- 2023 ADA Website Lawsuit Report, EcomBack
- Recite Me: ADA enforcement trends
- European Accessibility Act overview, European Commission
- EN 301 549 and WCAG alignment, Level Access
- CDC Disability and Health Data
Notice: provided for informational purposes only; not legal, financial, or professional advice.
Notice: The information provided in this document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. All materials and guidance offered by Generose Corporation dba Risingline are subject to its Client Services Agreement and are provided without warranty as to accuracy, completeness, or applicability to any specific situation. While Risingline takes reasonable precautions to ensure the reliability of the information presented, compliance with regulatory requirements varies based on specific circumstances, jurisdiction, and evolving standards. Recipients are encouraged to conduct independent due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before implementing any recommendations. Generose Corporation dba Risingline expressly disclaims any liability for actions taken or not taken based on this document. Receipt of this information does not establish a client, advisory, or fiduciary relationship between Risingline and the recipient.