Back in August 2025, I wrote about Web Accessibility and the growing wave of lawsuits targeting businesses with non-compliant websites.
Since then, I’ve seen several local eCommerce shops and small businesses hit with claims that forced them to pay $5,000 or more simply to make the complaints go away. These cases feel like the digital version of “ambulance chasing”—predatory, opportunistic, and completely avoidable with the right accessibility practices in place.
I could debate the legitimacy of these lawsuits, but the reality is simple: federal accessibility laws exist, and some plaintiffs—paired with attorneys who know how to exploit the system—are taking advantage of small businesses that don’t have the resources to fight back. Most settle immediately. In my opinion, the current digital-compliance landscape has become unnecessarily expensive for established brands and, far too often, a cash grab that catches unsuspecting business owners off guard.
Yes, there are plugins and AI tools that claim to provide ADA compliance. None of them deliver true compliance. Because of this, accessibility must be treated as a top-level priority—just like SEO, page speed, and mobile optimization—when building a new website.
And yes, I understand the irony of warning about accessibility lawsuits while strongly recommending ADA-focused development. But the truth is unavoidable: no website is ever 100% immune. You may never face a claim, but any business, in any industry, could. My goal isn’t to create fear—it’s to help you avoid becoming an easy target in an increasingly aggressive legal environment.
Your Current Website Could Be a Liability
Launch a Legally Compliant, ADA-Tested Website
Across the country, marketing teams, nonprofit leaders, and local government departments are unknowingly sitting on a digital-accessibility problem. Their websites—often central to communication, fundraising, customer service, and public trust—are just one update, audit, or complaint away from becoming a costly legal issue.
Here are the facts most organizations don’t realize:
- 95% of websites fail basic accessibility standards.
- ADA website lawsuits have increased 320% since 2017—and continue to rise.
- AI “accessibility overlay” tools make you more likely to be sued—because they mask problems instead of solving them. They’re a temporary bandage, not a long-term solution.
What Actually Works: Accessibility Built Into the Foundation
The only reliable path to legal protection is to build accessibility correctly from day one—not bolt on a widget after the fact.
A truly compliant website should include:
- WCAG 2.1 AA–level accessibility built into the code and structure
- Real testing by real users with disabilities—no AI shortcuts
- Alignment with privacy laws (GDPR, CPRA, Washington State, and others)
- Documented accessibility practices that show due diligence and protect you legally
No gimmicks.
No magic widgets.
No empty compliance claims.
Just a website you can confidently stand behind—and defend.
Don’t Wait for a Lawsuit. Strengthen Your Website Now.
If your website hasn’t had an accessibility audit in the last 12 months, it’s already at risk.
If your website is more than three years old, it is almost guaranteed to be out of compliance.
The good news? You can address this before a plaintiff’s attorney forces your hand.
Contact us for a free assessment, and let’s discuss upgrading your site with true ADA-level accessibility.
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