Understanding the ADA and Its Impact on Website Accessibility

January 31, 2025

By Scot Noel, Content Director

Imagine browsing an online store for the perfect gift, but the checkout process only works if you have a pricey VR glove you’ve never even heard of.

Picture trying to stream the latest movie, only to discover the site demands a fancy digital pen you don’t own—leaving you stuck on the sign-in page.

Think about booking your dream vacation, but the travel site insists you use a specialized graphics tablet for every step—impossible if you haven’t got one.

For millions of people with disabilities, online barriers like this can feel like a locked door. That’s where the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) steps in—offering everyone a fair shot at accessing digital resources, just as they would with ramps and handrails in the physical world.

Introduction

Think of the ADA as a pledge we made back in 1990: nobody should be shut out from services or opportunities because of a disability. Even though the law was crafted before the internet became the center of daily life, it’s now widely interpreted to cover websites and apps. And with more of us shopping, learning, and connecting online, building inclusive digital spaces has become urgent.

Over the past few years, legal challenges have shown that websites ignoring accessibility can face real consequences—financial and reputational. Whether you’re a business owner, nonprofit leader, or simply someone curious about the ADA, it’s crucial to understand the basics of how these rules apply to the web. After all, creating an accessible site isn’t just about sidestepping lawsuits; it’s about doing the right thing and welcoming everyone.

ADA compliant symbol icon

Purpose of the ADA

At its heart, the ADA aims to remove the roadblocks that people with disabilities too often encounter. It’s split into five main parts, or “titles,” each designed to keep doors open—both figurative and literal.

  1. Title I: Employment This section forbids discriminating against people with disabilities at any point in the employment process, from interviews to promotions.
  2. Title II: State and Local Government Services Governments must make their services, programs, and resources equally accessible to people with disabilities.
    • Proposed Updates: In 2023, the Department of Justice (DOJ) proposed clarifying that state and local agencies must follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at Levels A and AA for all digital content. Depending on an agency’s size, actual deadlines might start in 2026 or 2027, but these timelines aren’t set in stone until officially finalized.
  3. Title III: Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities Businesses that serve the public—hotels, restaurants, stores, and more—must be accessible.
    • Application to Websites: The DOJ and many courts interpret this to include websites, even though no final, specific regulation for Title III exists. In practice, it means most companies can’t ignore accessibility.
  4. Title IV: Telecommunications Telecom providers must offer relay and other assistive services so people with hearing or speech impairments can communicate.
  5. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions This catch-all section covers extra details and clarifications, including how the ADA is enforced and how it interacts with other laws.

Together, these titles protect people with various disabilities—vision, hearing, mobility, and more—ensuring they can navigate both physical spaces and digital ones.

The Evolution of the ADA and the Internet

Back when the ADA became law, few realized the internet would become our go-to spot for everything from paying bills to planning vacations. Yet its wide-reaching language about “places of public accommodation” has been interpreted to stretch across virtual spaces, too.

  • No Single Final Rule for Websites Under Title III: While rulemaking for government websites (Title II) is already in progress, there’s no single, binding regulation for private-sector websites under Title III.
  • Increasing Enforcement and Litigation: Even without a specific rule, the DOJ and private lawsuits have prompted many businesses to prioritize accessibility. If your site isn’t accessible, you could face legal action. The message is loud and clear: ignoring digital accessibility is risky business.

Why Website Accessibility Is Essential

  1. Moral and Ethical Imperative Think of accessibility as basic courtesy. Just like you’d hold a door open for someone, making your site accessible ensures people with disabilities can enjoy the same online services as everyone else.
  2. Legal Obligation If your business or organization falls under the ADA (and most do), the law requires you to be inclusive. Inconsistent enforcement doesn’t mean you can ignore it, especially as courts and the DOJ continue to rule that websites must be accessible.
  3. Addressing the Digital Divide Too many sites were built without accessibility in mind, leaving folks with disabilities stranded. By bridging this gap, you’re not just meeting a requirement—you’re recognizing the humanity of every online visitor.
  4. Practical Benefits
  • Avoiding Lawsuits: A compliant site is less likely to end up in a courtroom.
  • Meeting DEI Commitments: Accessibility is a concrete way to show you value diversity and inclusion.
  • Boosting SEO: Search engines often reward the same best practices that help with accessibility.
  • Enhancing Usability: Accessible features, like clear navigation and straightforward content, benefit all users—everyone wins.

ADA Compliance and Web Design

Building an accessible website isn’t a mystery, but it does mean following solid guidelines:

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) WCAG is the gold standard for accessible design. Published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), these guidelines have evolved over time:

  • WCAG 2.1: Commonly referenced in legal and governmental directives.
  • WCAG 2.2: The latest version, wrapped up in 2023.
  • Conformance Levels (A, AA, AAA): Most legal discussions point to Level AA as the target zone for compliance.

Common Accessibility Issues

  1. Poor Color Contrast: If text fades into the background, users with vision impairments might struggle to read it.
  2. Reliance on Color Alone: Using color as your only signal (like “click the green button”) can exclude color-blind visitors.
  3. Missing Alt Text: Without alt text, users relying on screen readers miss out on the images’ content or purpose.
  4. No Video Captions: Captions help people with hearing impairments fully experience your multimedia.
  5. Inadequate Keyboard Navigation: Some folks can’t use a mouse at all, so your entire site should be navigable through a keyboard.

By addressing these pitfalls, you create a space that’s welcoming to everyone.

Conclusion

The virtual world is a huge part of our lives—maybe even more than the physical world in some ways. That’s why the ADA’s requirement for accessibility is so important online. Whether it’s the new Title II regulations for government sites or the broader obligations for businesses under Title III, the trend is the same: being inclusive isn’t optional anymore.

This blog post kicks off a deeper conversation about how to integrate ADA compliance into your site. Up next, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of WCAG standards, practical strategies for tackling web accessibility, and how to keep pace with emerging trends. By prioritizing accessibility now, you’re not just staying on the right side of the law—you’re opening the door for everyone to share in what

your website has to offer, creating a more inclusive and welcoming digital experience for all.


About Chroma Studios

At Chroma Studios, we blend creativity, technology, and strategy to deliver stunning websites and custom digital marketing solutions. For 25 years, we’ve been committed to client success and community impact, helping our clients realize their goals and make a lasting difference.

Reach out to me today to learn more about how we can support your digital marketing needs. My name is Scot Noel, and I’m Chroma’s Content Director. You can email me at Scot@chroma-marketing.com or call 724-523-3001.

Understanding the ADA and Its Impact on Website Accessibility
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