Reminder on Website Accessibility and Potential Lawsuits Targeting Small Businesses

DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS (August 23, 2024) – A recent story in The Wall Street Journal reported on a rise in the number of web accessibility lawsuits. Many of these filings are targeted at smaller businesses.

The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) reported on this matter several years ago about web accessibility and the American Disabilities Act (ADA). NSGA reminds its members to take the necessary steps to protect your business, including working with your web development team to make the elements of your website accessible to sight-impaired individuals, and consulting with legal counsel should you receive a demand letter or a lawsuit. Click here for more information about this issue.

The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division provides a Guide on Web Accessibility and the ADA.  In 2024, a new rule with detailed regulations for state and local governments’ websites and mobile apps was released.  This information can be reviewed here.

Finally, consult the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative for strategies, standards, and supporting resources to help you make the web more accessible to people with disabilities.