Is Your Website Breaking the Law? Here’s What You Need to Know About ADA Compliance

Holly Michelle
Jun 2
3 min read

If you’ve never heard of ADA compliance for websites or you’ve heard the term and thought, “That doesn’t apply to me" or "I don't know what that is... so I just wont worry about it..." then this post is for you!

Let’s talk about why ADA compliance matters, what it means for your business, and how ignoring it could be costing you clients... or worse, a lawsuit.

What is ADA Compliance?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that people with disabilities have equal access and not just in the physical world, but online too.

So what does that mean for your website? It means your site needs to be accessible to everyone including those who:

Use screen readers
Have visual or hearing impairments
Rely on keyboard navigation
Experience cognitive challenges

If your site isn't built with accessibility in mind, you're unintentionally shutting the door on a whole group of people PLUS putting yourself at legal risk.

States have gotten more strict on the Accessibility Statements and the requirements for websites recently and I make sure to assist my clients with this but I also want others to be aware of this to help protect them aswell.

Why You Can’t Ignore This (Yes, Even If You're a Small Business)

There’s a common myth that ADA compliance only applies to large corporations. This is not true:

More and more small business owners are facing lawsuits for non-compliant websites. And while the law itself isn’t crystal clear, courts are increasingly siding with accessibility as a requirement.

👉 Bottom line: If you operate a business that serves the public, your website should be accessible. And if it’s not... you can be in trouble in multpile areas.

✅ What Makes a Website ADA Compliant?

While full compliance depends on your industry, state and audience, here are some key elements every website should have:

Text that’s easy to read with good contrast
Keyboard-friendly navigation (no mouse needed)
Descriptive alt text on all images
Proper heading structure (H1, H2, H3... not just bold text)
Video captions or transcripts
No flashing or moving elements that could trigger seizures

And that’s just scratching the surface....

Let’s Be Honest... You Didn’t Start Your Business to Worry About This

You started your business to serve your clients, share your gifts, and make an impact...not to learn about accessibility guidelines, contrast ratios, or code compliance.

That’s where I come in.

At HM Digital Design, I create stunning, strategic websites that are not only beautiful and high-converting but also built with accessibility in mind. And for my clients that are signed up for my Website Wellness Plan, I continue to keep up with these standards with each and every update!

Accessibility is so so easily overlooked and most DIYers don't even bother with it and most don't even know about it.

This is way working with a professional is so important!

Accessibility of your website is still your responibility as the business owner, and these laws vary by state, but having a professional (like me!) helping you with this helps ease a worry, save you time AND helps your viewers so your business can grow!

Whether you're a coach, creative, service provider, or small business owner, having an ADA-compliant website isn’t just the right thing to do... it’s also a smart business move.

You don't need to figure it all out alone. You need someone who knows what to look for, what to fix, and how to do it without breaking your site in the process.