The ADA in the Digital Age: Is a Website Required to Be ADA-Compliant?

Historically, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) governed only physical places. But there is a developing trend of lawsuits that seeks to subject virtual places—websites—to the ADA as places of “public accommodation.” These lawsuits, which are being filed against businesses both big and small, allege that various business websites violate the ADA because they are inaccessible to individuals with disabilities. The law in this area is unsettled, though evolving quickly. Thus, it is imperative that businesses acknowledge this emerging area of the law and consider steps that can be taken to avoid and defend an action related to website accessibility under the ADA.