Does My Website Need to Be ADA Compliant?

Legal texts aren’t always straightforward, and the ADA is no exception. For the average website owner, it can be a bit hard to interpret whether their site falls under its requirements.

This guide breaks it down clearly, so you can quickly understand whether ADA compliance is required for your website. It also shows how to check if your site is accessible and what to do if it’s not.

Does My Website Need to Be ADA Compliant?

Title III of the ADA says businesses open to the public (public accomodations) must make their websites accessible to people with disabilities.

So how do you know if your website falls under this requirement?

Ask yourself the following:

1. Are you located in the United States, or do you serve US-based customers?
   • If no, the ADA doesn’t apply to your website.
   • If yes, move on to the next question.
2. Does your website offer goods, services, or information that people access directly through the site – like shopping, booking, or registration?
3. Does your website help people book or use services that happen at your physical business location?

If you answered “yes” to either Question 2 or 3, your website is required to be ADA compliant. Because if people with disabilities can’t use your website to access your offerings, they’re effectively being denied access, which violates the ADA’s requirement for equal access to goods and services.

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You Should Make Your Website Accessible Either Way

Even if your website doesn’t legally fall under the ADA today, we strongly recommend making it accessible. Here’s why:

1. It’s the right thing to do

The web should be usable by everyone, regardless of ability. By making your website accessible, you’re helping create a more inclusive digital world. It’s about giving everyone the same chance to access, use, and benefit from what you offer.

2. You may be legally required under other laws

If you serve customers in the European Union, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will require many websites and digital services to be accessible. So even if the ADA doesn’t apply, other global laws might, and accessibility helps future-proof your business.

3. Accessibility improves user experience and SEO

Accessible websites are easier to navigate and understand. That leads to higher engagement, lower bounce rates, and better usability, especially on mobile. These improvements also send positive signals to search engines, which can boost your SEO performance.

4. It can grow your revenue

People with disabilities represent over $6 trillion in global spending power, not including the influence of their families and caregivers. An accessible website increases your potential customer base and helps convert visitors you might otherwise lose.

How to Make Your Website ADA Compliant

To make your website ADA compliant, ensure it follows the WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines, the standard recommended by the ADA and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Achieving this requires a combination of methods:

• Automated testing to catch obvious issues
• Manual testing to check real-world usability and edge cases
• User testing, if possible, to get feedback from people who use assistive technologies

This approach helps you identify and fix the accessibility barriers that actually prevent people from using your website. Once those issues are addressed, publishing an accessibility statement is the final step, and it supports your compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

We’ve created a detailed guide on how to make a website ADA compliant, and we recommend reading it if you’re ready to take that step. But the best place to start is with an automated accessibility audit. Click the button below to run a free website accessibility check.