How to Avoid a Lawsuit for Website ADA Compliance

Last Updated on January 20, 2021

Would you like to avoid an ADA website lawsuit? A recent surge of lawsuits over digital ADA compliance has many companies concerned about whether they’re at risk. This can be a confusing issue, because there are lots of rules and many gray areas. We’re here to help. We’ve partnered with Brian Redden, Attorney at Buechner Haffer Meyers & Koenig to share our knowledge on how to create compliant websites and avoid being sued.

Being proactive can help you avoid legal action.   

Attorney Brian Redden emphasizes the importance of taking a proactive approach in recognizing your site’s liabilities. The average legal cost to small businesses for digital ADA-related lawsuits is over $50,000, making it critical to stay on top of this issue (source). Investing in an ADA-compliant site now is critical in preventing the legal defense expense. 

Becoming ADA compliant is good for business, too. 

Having a website that’s ADA compliant is both good for business and a good defensive strategy. The more people who can successfully interact with your site and buy your products or services, the better. And with ADA website lawsuits on the rise, it’s important that you act now to ensure your website is ADA compliant and usable for people with different types of impairments. 

Threatening letters and lawsuits can be avoided with some careful digital and legal planning. While it’s nearly impossible to achieve 100% accessibility, it’s worth doing all you can. We suggest starting with small, simple changes.  

Top 3 Ways to Improve SEO & Accessibility

1. Use alt tags for images

Every image you use should have a text alternative. Use the Alternative Text field in WordPress to describe the content of the image, so that uses with visual impairments understand what the image is trying to convey.

2. Use informative calls-to-action like “Call for a Quote” instead of the context-less “Click Here.”

On the USDP home page, we use the call to action “Let’s Get Started” so it’s clear what a user should expect if they clicked.

Want to know more about calls-to-actions? Here are 4 simple steps to get you started.

3. Create high contrast between your site’s background color and text color.

21:1 is the highest ratio of black on white. 7:1 is the industry standard ratio for small body text. 4:5:1 is the ratio for larger text.

While these practices represent only a fraction of what can be done–every little bit counts. 

How do you know if your website is ADA compliant? 

To understand your site’s accessibility, try navigating your site with a screen reader, a tool used by customers with visual impairments. Or, let our team help by requesting a free digital assessment. We will reach out to learn more about your business and explain your options for improving your digital ADA compliance. 

Besides having an accessible website, the best thing you can do to protect yourself from an ADA website lawsuit is to have a great team on your side. The teams at US Digital Partners and Buechner Haffer Meyers & Koenig feel we have a duty to help you stay ahead of this problem. 

If you are concerned about digital ADA compliance and want help, request a free digital assessment. In the meantime, read our blog post on how to make your website ADA compliant, and register for our four-part ADA email series below.