prevent an ADA lawsuit
Web Accessibility
What is an ADA website lawsuit?
You could face an ADA website lawsuit if your site isn’t accessible. This is because websites are now considered public accommodations and should be accessible to everyone without discrimination.
Many people wonder why non-compliance issues are getting so much attention, especially given how long the internet and websites have been around. The reason is that, back in 1989 when the ADA was passed, there weren’t many websites conducting business online.
Moreover, no one anticipated how significantly the internet would impact our daily lives. Today, people use the internet for almost everything, from shopping and job searching to booking tickets.
With these changes, the average adult spends about six hours a day online, whether it’s for information or work. This includes individuals with disabilities who rely on the internet for similar reasons.
For example, visually impaired users often use assistive technologies like screen readers to access online content. If they visit your website and find it inaccessible, they lose the ability to engage with your site, which can be frustrating and exclude them from accessing important information or conducting business.
For reasons like these, individuals with disabilities may file an ADA website lawsuit if your site is not accessible.
What is ADA website compliance?
ADA website compliance involves making a website accessible to people with disabilities. It ensures that all visitors, regardless of their abilities, can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the website.
What financial recourse should you expect if you aren’t ADA-compliant?
Failure to address ADA compliance violations can lead to costly legal actions, hefty fines, and potential settlements.
Under the ADA, businesses can face a fine of $75,000 for a single violation, with the penalty increasing to $150,000 for additional violations.
In addition to these financial penalties, businesses may also experience negative publicity and damage to their reputation if they are not ADA-compliant.
Key takeaways
ADA website compliance goes beyond just avoiding lawsuits—it's about providing the disability community with the inclusive web experience they deserve.
With 16% of the global population living with a disability, ADA compliance is a crucial consideration for all organizations.
Access to the internet should be a fundamental right for everyone, and you can help promote inclusivity by ensuring your website is ADA-compliant and accessible. This is a great step toward supporting anti-discrimination efforts.
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