ADASupportADA Guidelines & Requirements
Understand the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for digital accessibility and how they apply to your website.
What is the ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a comprehensive civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. While originally focused on physical spaces, courts have increasingly applied ADA requirements to digital spaces, including websites and mobile applications.
Enacted in 1990
Comprehensive civil rights legislation
Protects 61 Million Americans
People with various types of disabilities
Applies to Digital Spaces
Websites, apps, and digital services
ADA Title III
Title III of the ADA requires places of public accommodation to be accessible to people with disabilities. This includes:
- Retail stores and restaurants
- Hotels and entertainment venues
- Healthcare and professional services
- Online businesses and websites
Who Must Comply with ADA?
ADA compliance requirements vary by business type and size
Businesses open to the public must provide equal access to their services, including digital services.
- • Retail stores and shopping centers
- • Restaurants and food services
- • Hotels and lodging
- • Entertainment venues
- • Healthcare providers
All government websites and digital services must be accessible under Section 508 and ADA requirements.
- • Federal agencies
- • State and local governments
- • Public schools and universities
- • Public transportation
- • Courts and legal services
Employers with 15+ employees must provide reasonable accommodations, including accessible digital tools.
- • Company websites and intranets
- • HR systems and portals
- • Training platforms
- • Communication tools
- • Benefits systems
Key ADA Digital Requirements
While the ADA doesn't specify technical standards, courts often reference WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines
Information must be presentable in ways users can perceive, regardless of their abilities.
- Alt text for images
- Captions for videos
- Sufficient color contrast
- Resizable text
- Audio descriptions
- Text alternatives
User interface components must be operable by all users, including those using assistive technologies.
- Keyboard navigation
- No seizure-inducing content
- Sufficient time limits
- Skip navigation links
- Focus indicators
- Pause/stop controls
Information and UI operation must be understandable to all users.
- Clear language
- Predictable navigation
- Error identification
- Input assistance
- Consistent identification
- Error prevention
Legal Consequences of Non-Compliance
ADA violations can result in significant legal and financial consequences
Lawsuits
Over 4,600 ADA website lawsuits filed in 2023, with numbers increasing annually.
Financial Penalties
Settlement costs typically range from $25,000 to $75,000, plus attorney fees.
Business Impact
Reputation damage, lost customers, and ongoing legal costs can severely impact business.
Need Help with ADA Compliance?
Don't navigate ADA requirements alone. Get expert guidance and ensure your website meets all legal requirements.