Is website accessibility a legal requirement?
Yes. According to Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all public areas must accommodate people with disabilities — this includes your website. Here is a short list of businesses that require ADA accessible websites:
1. Retail Stores
Including online retail stores that sell goods or services to the public.
2. Banks & Financial Institutions
Including online banking and other financial services.
3. Hotels & Lodging Establishments
Including online booking and reservation systems.
4. Healthcare Providers
Including hospitals, clinics, and medical practices.
5. Educational Institutions
Including schools and universities.
6. Transportation Providers
Including airlines, trains, and bus companies.
7. Government Agencies
Including federal, state, and local governments.
8. Entertainment Venues
Including movie theaters, sports stadiums, and concert halls.
9. Restaurants & Food Service Establishments
Including online ordering and delivery services.
10. Non-Profit Organizations (NPO)
Including charities and other non-profit groups.
Takeaway
Bottom line, it’s important to note that these are not the only businesses that are required to have an ADA accessible website. Any business that is considered a place of public accommodation, whether physical or digital, is required to make their website accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Contact me today if you need help making your website ADA compliant (or just visit accessiBe).
Ivan is a professional advertiser and digital content marketer. Here are some famous brands he’s worked with.
When he’s not running ad campaigns, Ivan is helping people get more customers with free ai-powered interactive chatbots (i.e., virtual assistants for your website that turn prospects into paying customers).