What Is ADA Compliance for Websites?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law in 1990, prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. While the original law predated the modern internet, courts and the Department of Justice have consistently interpreted the ADA to cover websites as "places of public accommodation."

ADA website compliance means ensuring your website is usable by people with all types of disabilities, including visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. In practice, this means following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which provide specific technical standards for accessible web design.

The most commonly referenced standard is WCAG 2.1 Level AA, which the Department of Justice has endorsed as the benchmark for ADA compliance. However, WCAG 2.2 was published in October 2023 and includes additional success criteria that address mobile accessibility and cognitive accessibility.

Key requirements include providing alternative text for images, ensuring all functionality works with a keyboard, maintaining sufficient color contrast, providing captions for video content, and using proper heading structure. These aren't just technical requirements — they ensure that the 61 million Americans with disabilities can access your products, services, and information.

Non-compliance carries real legal risk. Over 4,600 ADA website accessibility lawsuits were filed in 2025, with settlements ranging from $5,000 to over $150,000. Beyond legal risk, accessible websites typically see improved SEO performance, higher conversion rates, and better user experience for all visitors.