See what puts sites at legal risk—and how to avoid lawsuits by meeting accessibility standards.
Why Can You Get Sued for Website Accessibility?
Websites are considered places of public accommodation under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508. This means digital properties need to be barrier-free for users with disabilities. Plaintiffs and advocacy groups have used these laws to take legal action against business, nonprofit, and government websites found to exclude people with visual, hearing, cognitive, or mobility disabilities.
Who Is at Risk?
Organizations of any size and industry can be targeted. Lawsuits have named restaurants, banks, ecommerce stores, healthcare systems, schools, real estate agencies, entertainment brands, museums, and more—regardless of physical location.
What Triggers an ADA/WCAG Lawsuit?
- Barriers such as missing alt text, unlabeled form fields, content that can’t be reached via keyboard, poor color contrast, or inaccessible PDFs
- No accessibility statement or clear feedback mechanism
- Demonstrated inability for users to access services or complete tasks (e.g., shopping carts, applications)
- Prior demand letters ignored or unresolved
Which Accessibility Standards Applies?
Requirements may vary by region and sector. Section 508 covers federal/state sites and contractors. ADA Title III covers most private businesses. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are widely used for technical compliance—but the specific version may depend on the contract, enforcement policy, or region.
How Do You Avoid Accessibility Lawsuits?
- Audit your website—and remediate issues using WCAG success criteria
- Provide a clear, up-to-date accessibility statement
- Document every remediation and compliance effort
- Maintain accessibility as your website changes
Specialized accessibility partners can help you secure your site and supply the documentation and expertise needed if compliance questions ever arise.
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About this page
Fact-checked against 13 sources on 2026-10-16
Written and reviewed by Mark Yuasa, Account manager
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