Website accessibility is a legal requirement in the United States. Businesses that fail to make their websites accessible to users with disabilities risk not only lawsuits but also fines and penalties under federal and state regulations. This article explains the legal framework, potential fines, and how to safeguard your business.
Why Accessibility Compliance is Critical
Accessibility is essential for reaching all users and avoiding legal exposure. Inaccessible websites can trigger lawsuits and significant fines.
Website accessibility ensures that individuals with disabilities—visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive—can interact with your content. Non-compliance can result in:
- Fines and penalties from regulatory authorities.
- Lawsuits filed by private individuals or advocacy groups.
- Reputational harm affecting brand trust and customer retention.
Learn more about ADA compliance
Key Laws Imposing Fines
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA is the most cited law for accessibility enforcement and fines.
- Applies to businesses with 15+ employees.
- Non-compliance can result in fines up to $75,000 for first-time violations and higher for repeated offenses.
- Enforced via DOJ investigations and private lawsuits.
Section 508
Mandatory for federal websites and contractors.
- Covers electronic and information technology accessibility.
- Non-compliance can lead to administrative fines or loss of contracts.
State Accessibility Laws
Certain states enforce additional fines:
| State | Fine Potential | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | Up to $25,000 per violation | Applies to both private businesses and government agencies |
| Florida | Varies, often thousands | Enforcement focused on retail and healthcare |
| New York | Court-mandated penalties | Includes accessibility upgrades and legal costs |
Examples of Fines and Settlements
| Case | Industry | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Robles v. Domino’s | Restaurant | Settlement included website/app upgrades |
| NAD v. Netflix | Media | Fines and mandatory captioning compliance |
| Fashion Nova Settlement | E-commerce | Accessibility and privacy remediation required |
| NFB v. Target | Retail | Legal settlement with compensatory fines |
These cases illustrate that any business, regardless of size, can face financial penalties if accessibility is ignored.
How Fines Are Calculated
- Severity of violation: Larger accessibility gaps result in higher penalties.
- Business size and revenue: Fines often scale with business size.
- Prior violations: Repeat offenders face escalating fines.
- Remediation efforts: Proactive compliance may reduce penalties.
Steps to Avoid Fines
| Step | Action | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Audit | Comprehensive website accessibility review | Identify gaps before fines occur |
| Remediation | Implement WCAG-compliant fixes | Avoid legal exposure |
| Monitoring | Ongoing accessibility testing | Ensure continuous compliance |
| Documentation | Keep records of compliance efforts | Mitigate legal risk |
Explore full compliance solutions
Best Practices for Accessibility
- Add alt text for images.
- Provide keyboard navigation options.
- Ensure forms and interactive elements are accessible.
- Include video captions and transcripts.
- Test regularly using assistive technologies.
Real-World U.S. Examples
- Sweetgreen Mobile App: Remediated inaccessible features after legal scrutiny.
- Bank Inaccessible Online: Settlement included monetary penalties.
- Discord Accessibility Suit: Platform updated features to avoid fines.
- Harvard/MIT v. NAD: Universities faced accessibility fines for digital content.
FAQs About Accessibility Fines
Q1: Can any business get fined for an inaccessible website?
Yes, businesses of all sizes are at risk if their websites are not accessible under federal and state laws.
Q2: What types of fines exist?
Fines vary from administrative penalties to court-mandated settlements, depending on the law and severity of violations.
Q3: How can I protect my business from fines?
Engage professional compliance services that ensure full accessibility under ADA, Section 508, and state laws.
Q4: Do fines apply only to websites?
No, apps and digital services are also subject to accessibility laws and potential fines.
Take Action: Avoid Fines Now
Accessibility compliance is legally required in the U.S., and ignoring it can lead to significant fines. Protect your business, employees, and customers by implementing full accessibility solutions.
Secure your website today with expert accessibility compliance services. Explore our full-service solutions to stay fully compliant and avoid fines.
ADA compliance solutions | Industry-specific resources | Legal case studies