ADA Compliance Guide: How to Build an Accessible Website

The internet connects people in unprecedented ways, yet many websites and apps continue to present serious accessibility issues for individuals who have disabilities. This reality puts website owners at considerable risk of non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—one of the most prominent civil rights law measures in the U.S. More than just a legal concern, ensuring an accessible browsing experience is also a moral and business imperative for any organization seeking to provide equal access to online spaces.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how ADA compliance affects your online presence, why web accessibility is so important, and how you can prepare your digital properties to be considered ADA-compliant.

We’ll compare the Americans with Disabilities Act (particularly Title II and public accommodations under Title III) with the emerging European Accessibility Act (EAA), underlining the differences and similarities that global organizations need to know. If you have ever asked yourself, “What is ADA compliance for websites?” or wondered what your obligations are as a digital business, read on for friendly but in-depth insights aimed at both technical and non-technical audiences.

Understanding ADA

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law enacted in 1990 to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities in various aspects of everyday life, ranging from employment and education to transportation and the use of public facilities. The Act has multiple sections (Titles I through V). For digital platforms, Title II of the law focuses on state and local governments and their agencies, while Title III addresses public accommodations, which includes private-sector organizations like retailers, banks, hospitals, and more.

While the ADA was authored before the internet went mainstream, courts and the Department of Justice have continually interpreted its language to apply to websites, mobile apps, and even specialized software platforms. Even though it doesn’t explicitly mention the internet, the law’s architects wrote it in a way that could evolve with advances in communication technology and information and communication technology. Over time, federal agencies like the DOJ have clarified that organizations must ensure accessibility for their digital offerings under the same principles that guarantee equal access in physical locations.

Title II and local government services

For local governments especially, this means that local government services provided via their websites and mobile apps must be just as accessible to people with disabilities as those services are in person. That is why the concept of ADA-compliant websites extends to every agency, from libraries and town halls to public schools and county offices. Under ADA requirements, these organizations must routinely check their websites for accessibility issues and fix those issues promptly to maintain compliance.

Title III and public accommodations

Under Title III, a wide range of public accommodations in the private sector must also provide an inclusive experience for people with disabilities. Retailers, restaurants, hotels, and numerous other businesses are responsible for ensuring that their digital spaces—websites, apps, and online services—meet the same accessibility obligations as their physical locations.

The differences between the ADA and EAA

On the other side of the Atlantic, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) similarly aims to remove accessibility barriers for people with disabilities. However, there are important distinctions. The EAA explicitly covers many digital products and services, including e-commerce, banking, and transportation platforms, and it applies throughout the European Union (EU). In contrast, ADA regulations in the U.S. are enforced primarily through litigation, private lawsuits, and negotiations with the DOJ or other federal agencies.

While the ADA applies to state and local governments (under Title II) and public accommodations in the private sector, the EAA sets forth detailed requirements for any business operating or selling goods/services in EU member states. Enforcement methods differ, too: EAA violations can result in fines and additional penalties from European enforcement authorities, whereas ADA non-compliance is typically addressed through legal actions, settlements, or direct negotiations. That said, both frameworks ultimately share the overarching aim of providing people with disabilities with an accessible website or digital service that meets essential accessibility standards.

Why website accessibility is crucial

Today, a website or app is often the first interaction a customer has with a business or a government agency. With rising internet usage and the shift to online forms, e-commerce, and telehealth, ensuring an accessible website is more critical than ever. If your organization fails to address accessibility issues, you risk alienating a significant portion of the population—including the visually impaired or those who rely on mobility aids—and opening yourself up to potential lawsuits and legal fees.

However, the importance of web accessibility goes far beyond avoiding litigation. An accessible platform can improve overall user experience, boost SEO by making content more understandable for search engines, and demonstrate a company’s or agency’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In short, digital accessibility equals good business. It also promotes brand loyalty and fosters trust among current and prospective website visitors and site visitors.

You might be interested in: 5 Tips to Improve Website Accessibility.

Key ADA requirements for websites

When we speak of ADA compliance, we’re referencing standards for making digital platforms usable for people with disabilities. Although the U.S. Department of Justice has not set formal, detailed regulations that precisely define website accessibility requirements under the ADA for private businesses, a variety of lawsuits and settlement agreements have shown that Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) from the World Wide Web Consortium are considered best practices. For government agencies, the DOJ’s 2024 ruling specifically references WCAG 2.1 AA for meeting ADA standards under Title II.

ADA compliance refers to upholding these recognized benchmarks so that user agents (like web browsers and assistive technology) can effectively parse and present web content. For instance, if your digital presence includes an e-commerce checkout or a portal for local government services, ensuring the platform accommodates keyboard navigation, alt text, and audio descriptions can be the difference between an inclusive and an exclusive experience for people with disabilities.

Website owners aiming to be ADA compliant must consider a wide array of factors: from ensuring appropriate color contrast to providing text-based alternatives for images and multimedia content. They must account for a wide range of visual impairments and hearing challenges, as well as for other conditions like cognitive or motor function difficulties. At its core, the ADA requires that organizations provide reasonable accommodations to enable people with disabilities to have equal access to essential online services and information.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), are the de facto international standard for creating accessible digital experiences. Currently at version 2.2 (though WCAG 2.1 remains the most commonly referenced in legal contexts), these guidelines detail how to ensure accessibility for text, imagery, audio, video, and interactive site elements. WCAG organizes recommendations under four key principles: websites and apps must be Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (often summarized as POUR).

If an organization wants to achieve ADA compliance, it typically relies on WCAG success criteria to measure how accessible its digital content is. Examples of WCAG practices include using appropriate alt text on images, correct heading structures (often referred to as semantic HTML), designing forms that work with a screen reader, and providing video captions for users who are deaf or hard of hearing. By following WCAG, your site is more likely to be considered ADA-compliant under the most common legal interpretations.

How can you achieve an ADA-compliant website?

Achieving an ADA-compliant website begins with a careful, systematic review of all web pages, mobile apps, and interactive features. This typically involves both automated scans for known accessibility issues and a more thorough manual inspection. Manual audits often employ assistive technology (like a screen reader) to ensure that each piece of digital content can be successfully accessed by those with various needs, whether they have visual impairments, hearing-related disabilities, or motor challenges requiring specialized input methods.

Because ADA website compliance is multifaceted, it’s essential to break down the process into actionable steps. Focus first on severe problems that block major functionality (for instance, a missing form label that prevents a user from checking out), and then work on more nuanced barriers (like subtly insufficient color contrast). Once your initial remediation is complete, continuous monitoring for new or reintroduced accessibility issues is critical. Over time, these efforts build a robust foundation for ongoing website compliance, so you can keep your site truly ADA compliant.

The role of assistive technology

Assistive technology bridges the gap between people with disabilities and the digital world. Examples include screen magnifiers for those with visual impairments, voice-to-text software for users with limited dexterity, and screen reader software for people who are blind. In some cases, organizations may also consider sign language interpretation for video content, especially when the information is particularly detailed or complex.

To accommodate these technologies, your HTML code must include the correct tags and attributes, such as alt text on images or ARIA labels for user interface components. Descriptive links also matter—rather than labeling a hyperlink as “Click here,” for instance, a more precise label like “Download the Annual Report PDF” helps individuals using assistive technology understand exactly what the link does. As you refine your code, keep in mind that every new piece of digital functionality may introduce fresh challenges or new accessibility best practices that you need to follow.

Common accessibility barriers to avoid

Many accessibility barriers stem from poor planning in the early design or coding stages. For instance, insufficient color contrast between text and background can render content unreadable for individuals with partial sight or color blindness. Similarly, multimedia content like videos without video captions or audio descriptions excludes people who are deaf or visually impaired.

Other typical issues include forms that lack clear error messages, images missing alt text, and pages that rely solely on a mouse for navigation instead of also supporting keyboard navigation. In addition, if your site heavily depends on dynamic pop-ups or overlays, you should verify that these do not hijack the user’s focus—something that can break the experience for screen reader users or for those who primarily navigate via keyboard. Keeping track of these common pitfalls is fundamental when working toward strong website compliance with ADA standards.

Conducting accessibility audits and testing

To fix accessibility issues, you first must discover them, and an accessibility audit does just that. Automated scanners can catch certain surface-level problems—like missing alt text or improper heading structure in the HTML code—but they fall short of detecting more subtle or context-dependent barriers. That’s where manual testing by trained specialists and actual people with disabilities becomes invaluable. User flow testing can reveal hidden trouble spots, such as an incorrectly labeled button that an automated scanner might overlook.

Comprehensive audits should also involve testing across various web browsers and mobile devices to ensure your site functions smoothly in multiple environments. Testing with different user agents can identify performance issues that arise only in specific contexts. Additionally, accessibility consultants can help interpret WCAG success criteria and plan remedial actions in a phased approach—an especially important strategy for large or complex sites that can’t all be updated overnight.

Remediating accessibility issues

Once an audit is complete, the next step is to fix accessibility issues by making the recommended changes in your code and design. This might mean adding or correcting alt text for all images, updating your template with higher color contrast standards, or restructuring your semantic HTML so that headings are clearly outlined. For e-commerce sites, ensuring that online forms have labels that can be read by a screen reader is vital for ensuring a fully ADA-compliant checkout process.

As you remediate, be sure to keep thorough documentation of your changes, including outbound links or references to third-party systems that might affect compliance. Maintaining an internal checklist or timeline can help you prioritize tasks based on urgency, legal risk, and user impact. In addition, it’s wise to re-audit or re-check sections as changes go live, to verify that the new fixes haven’t inadvertently created new accessibility issues.

The legal landscape of ADA compliance and non-compliance

In the United States, ADA compliance lawsuits are on the rise, with many targeting small and medium-sized businesses. Under public accommodations guidelines, even a purely online business may be found in violation if its website is inaccessible to people with disabilities. Although some industries are hit harder than others, no sector is truly exempt from legal scrutiny—local governments, e-commerce, hospitality, finance, healthcare, and education have all faced litigation.

In practice, many lawsuits end in out-of-court settlements that can easily cost businesses thousands of dollars in legal fees alone. Additionally, organizations often must commit to a structured plan for achieving and maintaining ADA website compliance, sometimes under direct DOJ oversight. While it’s rare for these cases to go to trial, the mere threat of a lawsuit can put pressure on businesses to act swiftly.

For state and local governments, compliance is even more pressing due to the clear rules under Title II. Government websites must adopt a posture of continuous improvement, proactively scanning and updating their pages to accommodate new technologies and content. Failing to do so can delay essential local government services that the public depends upon.

The benefits of web accessibility

The benefits of pursuing web accessibility are wide-ranging. First, an accessible website opens your organization to a broader market, including the nearly 61 million people in the U.S. living with a disability. By investing in inclusive design, you also enhance your brand reputation as an organization that values all customers. Additionally, many best practices for digital accessibility—such as labeling images with accurate alt text and using proper headings—make your site more visible to search engines, effectively boosting your SEO performance.

Beyond the direct user and SEO benefits, strong website accessibility can also yield operational advantages. For instance, better-structured code and consistent heading hierarchies can make maintenance simpler and reduce the likelihood of random site failures. Whether you’re a municipal entity offering local government services or a private retailer, the net result of these efforts is often happier website visitors, fewer complaints, and a more inclusive overall posture that resonates with employees and customers alike.

Overlay widgets vs. real solutions

Some companies seek a shortcut to achieve ADA compliance by using so-called accessibility overlay widgets or plug-ins. These promise instant solutions, typically by injecting lines of code that toggle high contrast modes or add specialized user menus. However, overlays are widely criticized by accessibility experts because they do not address the underlying coding flaws. If the structure of a page is inaccessible—or if forms and images lack proper alt text—no overlay can fix the root causes of those accessibility issues.

Overlays can also breed a false sense of security. Businesses may assume they’re fully ADA compliant after installing the widget, only to find themselves facing legal action later. As a result, the best approach for lasting website compliance is a thorough combination of manual and automated audits, code-level fixes, and continuous monitoring. Overlay widgets can sometimes supplement these efforts, but they cannot substitute for genuine remediation.

Best practices for maintaining an accessible website

Maintaining an ADA-compliant website is an ongoing commitment. Any time you add new web content—be it product listings, blog posts, or multimedia content—there’s a potential risk of introducing new accessibility barriers. To stay ahead, develop internal policies that require content creators, designers, and developers to follow WCAG-based guidelines. Provide regular training so teams stay informed about changing accessibility requirements and emerging best practices, such as using accessible fonts and ensuring robust zoom capability.

It’s also crucial to keep an open channel for user feedback. Encourage website users to report barriers or frustrations they may encounter, and have a clear plan to handle such reports. This feedback loop helps you quickly fix accessibility issues before they lead to bigger problems. Over time, this commitment not only protects you from non-compliance but also builds goodwill and trust with all site visitors.

The future of ADA compliance

The digital realm is expanding rapidly, and so are legal expectations. Beyond the ADA in the U.S. and the EAA in Europe, countries worldwide are implementing or updating policies that mirror the core principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act. These policies reflect the universal drive toward removing digital barriers, ensuring that people with disabilities can access web content and services without impediment. As companies become more global, fulfilling obligations under multiple jurisdictions will require adopting truly universal design principles.

Given how the EAA spells out obligations for e-commerce, banking, travel, and more, we can expect a broader push for legally mandated, cross-border digital accessibility. Similar to how the EU’s GDPR influenced global data privacy standards, the EAA could reshape how international businesses approach website compliance. The lesson is clear: investing in robust, flexible accessibility processes now will pay dividends in a rapidly shifting legal landscape.

Real-world examples & case studies

Consider the numerous lawsuits from visually impaired consumers who were unable to complete online purchases due to unlabeled buttons or forms that screen readers couldn’t interpret. Even large retailers have faced these suits, spending significant amounts in settlements and legal overhead simply because their checkout flow wasn’t set up for keyboard navigation or lacked appropriate alt text. These scenarios illustrate why an ADA-compliant website must be planned from the ground up.

In the public sector, we’ve seen state and local governments face legal challenges for inaccessible pages containing important civic information, like voting details or municipal announcements. Failing to implement correct HTML code, provide audio descriptions, or use descriptive links can leave entire sections of the population disenfranchised. As a result, government agencies are increasingly turning to specialized consultants and accessibility teams to ensure ongoing alignment with WCAG and the Disability Act.

Steps to achieve ADA with confidence

For organizations unsure of where to begin, here’s a quick roadmap to achieve ADA compliance effectively. First, perform an initial accessibility audit, which should include both automated tools and manual checks by experienced testers. Second, prioritize the discovered issues and start remediating them, focusing first on the biggest barriers.

Third, test your revised site elements with real users, especially those relying on assistive technology like a screen reader. This real-world feedback often reveals hidden details that a code review might overlook. Finally, maintain a cycle of regular updates and audits to stay consistent with evolving WCAG guidelines and any new ADA requirements.

Throughout this process, document your efforts rigorously. Not only is this valuable for your own internal guidance, but thorough documentation can also help demonstrate your good-faith efforts to address digital accessibility if you ever face a legal challenge. By following this blueprint, organizations of any size can build a robust system for ADA website compliance.

Key takeaways

• Meeting both ADA and EAA guidelines expands your audience while minimizing legal and financial risks.
• Combining usability with accessibility delivers inclusive user experiences across devices and environments.
• Systematic approaches (clear contrast, keyboard navigation, alt text) proactively address diverse needs and reduce issues early.
• Real-world testing with assistive tech spots subtle barriers missed by automation, improving overall user experiences.
• Regular audits and training keep teams aligned with changing standards, ensuring accessible digital solutions from concept to launch.

Final thoughts

From local city portals to multinational e-commerce sites, the modern era demands that every digital presence accommodate people with disabilities. Meeting ADA standards means creating web content that is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust, while also aligning with recognized frameworks like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This requirement spans industries and sectors—from private retailers to local governments—and from the U.S. to the EU.

By focusing on building an ADA-compliant website, you also invest in your brand reputation, user satisfaction, and operational excellence. In essence, website compliance is not just a legal obligation; it’s an opportunity to do right by all your customers and constituents—and to thrive because of it.

Do you want to avoid potential lawsuits, reduce your risk of non-compliance, and give every user an accessible browsing experience? If you answered 'yes', it’s time to make digital content accessibility a core part of your strategy. Contact us to learn more about our accessibility testing services.