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Browse through the most frequently asked questions

1What does ADA compliant mean for websites?

A website that is fully ADA compliant is fully accessible by users with disabilities and the accessibility technologies they use to browse the web. (Like the screen readers for the visually impaired.)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) was created in an effort to “remove access barriers” for people with disabilities by requiring companies to provide “reasonable accommodations” to differently abled individuals.

While “access barriers” originally referred to literal, physical barriers, it has now been applied to websites as well.

According to WCAG, for a website to be fully compliant it must be:

  • Perceivable - referring to a user’s ability to understand the content on a webpage
  • Operable - referring to usability through assistive technology (ex: Your site must be navigable by keyboard instead of a mouse)
  • Understandable - your site must follow a logical structure
  • Robust - your site must be able to adapt to the latest accessibility technologies
2Is ADA compliance mandatory for websites?

The law is clear. ALL websites must be ADA Compliant. For now, we have seen lawsuits for:

  • Higher education institutions
  • Government agencies and websites
  • B2C companies (especially if you have a brick and mortar location)
  • E-commerce Businesses
  • Wholesale Businesses
  • Franchises
  • Software and SaaS Businesses
3How do I make sure my website is ADA compliant?

There are 61 specific guidelines laid out by the WCAG. The best way to make sure your entire site is fully compliant is to use an automated tool such as https://www.adasitecompliancetest.com/ . Otherwise, you will have to manually go page by page and check if all 61 guidelines are fully adhered to.

4How much does it cost to make a website ADA compliant?

The cost of making a website fully ADA compliant depends on multiple variables, including the size and complexity of the website.

You can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $50,000 based on various factors such as your website platform, number of pages, integrations and more.

Obviously, a large e-commerce website consisting of thousands of internal pages will require more resources than a small website. The average cost for making a website ADA compliant is around $2,000 - $8,000.

5How do I get a Website ADA certification?

There is no one centralized authority that provides Website ADA Certifications. As “ADA Site Compliance Test”, we provide a certification that automatically checks your website for compliance on a monthly basis. This provides you with peace of mind and protection against lawsuits.

6Is Shopify, Bigcommerce, WordPress, Volusion ADA Compliant?

By default, no. However, using the right tools and technologies, you can make your website fully ADA compliant without having to switch platforms.

7What is ADA Lawsuit?

An ADA Lawsuit, in this context, is a lawsuit filed against any business or federal institution that fails to comply with ADA and WCAG regulations.

8Are punitive damages available under the ADA?

For now, the only penalties are:

  1. Being forced to make your website fully compliant
  2. Paying the legal penalties of the defendant.

However, many lawyers attempt to get the company to avoid a costly legal battle and settle out of court.

9What do I do if I’m being sued for ADA Compliance?
The first thing you should do is seek legal counsel from a certified attorney within your state. We can suggest attorneys that we work with. Your next step should be to contact a web development company who is experienced with making websites fully ADA compliant. From there, they will perform an audit on your site, identify which elements need to be changed, and provide you with a plan of execution.
10How many websites are being sued for ADA Compliance in 2019?
From 2017-2018, we saw an increase in ADA web compliance lawsuits of over 115%, from 814 to 2256 (source). This number is only expected to increase.
11 Should I worry about making my website ADA Compliant?

Yes! More and more businesses are being hit with ADA compliance lawsuits, regardless of company type.

If you are a higher education institution, B2C company, or federal website, you NEED to take steps to make your website ADA compliant before it’s too late.