Is AI Generated Content Good for SEO? Plus 4 More AI Questions to Ask Your Agency
If you’re hiring an SEO expert right now, chances are you may have asked, is AI generated content good for…
ADA website compliance has become one of the most misunderstood and stressful issues facing small business owners today. I see it constantly as a web development consultant and SEO expert. People are scared, confused, or pressured into expensive decisions they do not fully understand.
We will cover where ADA compliance came from, how it applies to websites today, the common traps small businesses fall into, and how to approach accessibility in a way that is responsible, realistic, and defensible.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990 to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination and ensure equal access to public spaces and services.
At the time, the internet was not part of the conversation.
As websites became essential to commerce, education, healthcare, and daily life, courts began interpreting the ADA to include digital experiences. Today, business websites and mobile applications are widely considered public accommodations under the law.
That means people with disabilities must be able to access information, navigate content, and use core functionality just like anyone else.
Because the ADA itself does not include technical web standards, accessibility is typically measured against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
WCAG has three levels of conformance:
For most businesses, WCAG 2.1 Level AA is considered the appropriate and defensible target.
Common website accessibility issues include:
Accessibility is not about a single feature. It is about whether real users with disabilities can successfully use your site.
ADA website lawsuits have increased sharply in recent years, not because most businesses are intentionally excluding people with disabilities, but because of how the law is enforced.
Under the ADA, plaintiffs may recover attorneys’ fees, meaning that if they win or reach a settlement, the business may be required to pay the plaintiff’s legal costs in addition to fixing the accessibility issues. Unlike many other lawsuits, plaintiffs do not need to prove financial harm. They only need to show that a website is not reasonably accessible to users with disabilities.
This structure creates a strong incentive for high-volume litigation. Law firms can identify common accessibility issues, such as missing alt text, inaccessible forms, or keyboard navigation problems, and apply the same claims across many websites. Because many sites are built on similar platforms or templates, the alleged violations often look nearly identical from case to case.
Small businesses are especially vulnerable. Without in-house legal counsel or large budgets, many owners choose to settle quickly to avoid the costs and uncertainty of federal litigation, even when they would otherwise be willing to address the issues directly.
Another contributing factor is the lack of a single, explicit technical standard written into the ADA itself. While courts generally reference WCAG guidelines, the legal gray area makes it difficult for businesses to know when they are sufficiently compliant and makes it easier for claims to proceed.
The result is a cycle in which lawsuits continue to increase, driven less by intent and more by economic incentives and widespread confusion about digital accessibility.
There are many downloadable widgets that promise to make your website ADA-compliant overnight. They typically add a floating accessibility icon and allow users to adjust font size, contrast, or spacing.
Pros
Cons
These tools often create a false sense of security. I have seen businesses install them, believe they are protected, and still receive legal demand letters months later.
Widgets can be a supplement, not a compliance strategy.
Some plaintiffs and firms rely on urgency and fear. Without guidance, business owners may feel they have no choice but to pay to avoid litigation.
The reality is more nuanced. Some claims have merit. Some are vague. Many websites do need remediation, but rushing into a settlement without understanding your site’s actual accessibility issues can be far more expensive in the long run.
Websites are living systems. Content updates, platform changes, new plugins, and redesigns can all introduce new accessibility issues.
Compliance is not set-and-forget. A one-time fix without ongoing awareness is another common way businesses get exposed later.
From a technical and operational standpoint, a sustainable accessibility strategy usually includes:
This approach shows good faith, which matters both legally and ethically.
There are firms that specialize in the intersection of law and technology, such as Beckage Firm, which focuses on ADA website and application accessibility. Providers like this combine legal insight with technical understanding, which is critical in an area where generic advice often falls short.
The key is not hiring just any lawyer. It is working with professionals who understand how websites actually function.
ADA compliance is not about perfection. It is about reasonable access, documented effort, and continuous improvement. The biggest risk I see is not noncompliance. It is misinformation. Businesses are either scared into paying too much or reassured by tools that do not actually protect them. A thoughtful, informed approach to accessibility protects your business, improves usability for all users, and aligns with how the web should work in the first place.
If you are unsure where your site stands, start with a trusted SEO expert or education, not panic. That alone puts you ahead of most businesses navigating this space.
Unlock your brand's full potential with custom digital marketing strategies.
Copyright © 2025 Danielle Meyers. All Rights Reserved.