United States
Americans with Disabilities Act, Title III
ADA Title III prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in places of public accommodation. Courts have increasingly ruled that websites constitute places of public accommodation. 4,605 ADA web accessibility lawsuits were filed in 2023, up 42% year-over-year.
Deadline
In effect since 1990 — courts increasingly applying to websites
Who it applies to
All businesses open to the public, including websites
Required standard
WCAG 2.1 AA (DOJ recommended standard)
Penalties
$75,000 for first violation, $150,000 for subsequent violations. Plus plaintiff legal fees (typically $25,000-$100,000).
Key Facts
- •No explicit web accessibility standard in ADA text — courts use WCAG 2.1 AA
- •DOJ issued formal guidance in March 2022 that websites must be accessible
- •Serial plaintiffs file hundreds of cases — e-commerce, hospitality, healthcare most targeted
- •Settlement costs average $25,000-$100,000 plus website remediation
- •41% of companies sued are sued again within 3 years
Check your ADA Title III compliance
Sturdly scans your site against all ADA Title III requirements and generates a compliance report you can share with legal, procurement, or regulators.