Why Is Web Accessibility Important? ADA & WCAG Compliance in 2024
Data shows that businesses fail to meet accessibility requirements—putting them at risk of legal issues and missing out on a massive market opportunity. With new regulations coming into effect and courts increasingly siding with users, understanding web accessibility isn't just good practice—it's crucial for your long-term success.
What you'll learn from our comprehensive guide?
Latest ADA and WCAG compliance requirements for 2024
How recent legal changes affect your business
Practical steps to assess and improve your website's accessibility
Industry-specific requirements for e-commerce, SaaS, and content-heavy websites
Strategic action plan for implementing accessibility features
Your website might be turning away customers without you knowing it. A recent study by WebAIM found that 96.3% of websites fail to meet basic accessibility standards—and yours could be one of them.
Web accessibility means making your site work for everyone, including people who:
Use screen readers to hear content
Navigate websites with keyboards only
Rely on captions for videos
Need high-contrast text to read
It's not complex: if someone can't fill out your contact form, read your product descriptions, or make a purchase because of a disability, you're losing business and risking legal issues.
The numbers tell a compelling story. In the US alone:
76 million Baby Boomers benefit from accessible websites
These are your customers, partners, and employees who need to use your website, mobile apps, and business documents.
2024 brings new urgency to web accessibility. The Department of Justice has strengthened its stance on compliance, while courts continue to side with users who can't access business websites.
For development teams, this means clear coding standards. For marketers, it's about creating inclusive content. For business owners, it's an opportunity to serve more customers better.
Making your website accessible is about giving equal opportunities to all – and it also helps everyone. Clear navigation, readable text, and well-structured content don't just help people with disabilities—they make your site better for each user. When you fix accessibility issues, you improve the experience for everyone who visits your site.
96.3%
of websites fail to meet basic web accessibility standards and requirements
WebAIM
Naturaily.com
Understanding Key Accessibility Frameworks - Basic Glossary
Before we explore specific requirements, let's clarify the three major frameworks that shape web accessibility today.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA is a 1990 civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. While created before the internet era, courts now interpret the ADA to include websites and digital services as "places of public accommodation."
Divided into five titles covering different aspects of public life
Title II applies to state and local government services
Title III covers businesses open to the public ("public accommodations")
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
The technical standard for digital accessibility, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) through extensive collaboration with disability advocacy groups and accessibility experts.
The current WCAG 2.2 standard offers three levels of conformance:
Level A (basic),
Level AA (a standard requirement for most businesses),
Level AAA (highest level).
While not law itself, WCAG is the recognized standard court reference when evaluating ADA compliance.
European Accessibility Act (EAA)
Taking effect June 28, 2025, the EAA is an EU directive (2019/882) aimed at improving product and service accessibility across all 27 EU members.
This includes e-commerce platforms, banking services, and digital communications. With penalties of up to three million euros, the EAA affects EU companies and any business selling to European customers, effectively creating a new global accessibility standard.
Accessibility standards like WCAG and ADA are the backbone of accessible web development, giving us a clear set of guidelines to ensure websites are usable for everyone. They streamline the development process by setting reliable, testable criteria that developers can follow consistently.
This structure makes accessibility audits straightforward and helps in providing accurate project timelines and estimates. Beyond the technical aspects, these standards raise awareness of the importance of inclusive design, keeping accessibility at the forefront of every web project.
As the owner of the e-commerce business, you have the requirement to follow the accessibility best practices.
We covered the ways to optimize the e-commerce frontend in one of our articles!
Key Changes in Accessibility Laws for 2024
Major changes to accessibility laws in 2024 affect how businesses approach their web presence. Here are some basic insights for starters and what you need to know about the latest requirements.
New ADA Title II Requirements and Their Impact
In April 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) signed a final rule that sets clear standards for web accessibility. While this rule directly applies to state and local governments, it signals what's coming for private businesses under Title III.
Key Deadlines to Know:
April 2026: Compliance required for organizations serving 50,000+ people
April 2027: Deadline for organizations serving fewer than 50,000 people
What's Required Now?
Websites and mobile apps must meet WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA standards
All digital services must be accessible, including:
Online forms and applications
PDF documents and downloadable files
Multimedia content
Mobile applications
Why This Matters for Private Businesses? The DOJ typically aligns private sector requirements (Title III) with public sector standards (Title II). This means your business should prepare for similar requirements soon. Taking action now helps you:
Stay ahead of upcoming regulations
Avoid potential legal issues
Build accessibility into your digital strategy early
European Accessibility Act (EAA) Considerations
If you do business in Europe—or plan to—the EAA brings additional requirements starting June 2025. This law affects US businesses more than you might think.
What US Businesses Need to Know?
Deadline: June 2025 for full compliance
Penalties: Up to three million euros for violations
Scope: Affects all companies selling to EU customers
The stakes are high. If you sell products or services to EU customers, these requirements apply to you. Even if you're not actively targeting European markets, now is the time to prepare if international expansion is in your future.
Which industries need to pay the most attention?
E-commerce businesses will feel the most immediate impact. Your entire digital presence—from product listings to checkout processes—must meet accessibility standards.
Financial services providers need to ensure their banking platforms and payment systems are accessible.
Transportation companies must make their booking systems and digital ticketing work for everyone.
What technical standards do you need to meet?
The EAA aligns with EN 301 549 standards and WCAG guidelines. This means your websites and apps need to be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
Every customer touchpoint matters, from your main website to your mobile apps and support documentation.
Action Steps for Your Business
Assess if your products or services reach EU customers
Review your digital properties against WCAG 2.2 standards
Plan updates to meet both ADA and EAA requirements
Document your accessibility features and compliance steps
Remember: Meeting these requirements isn't just about avoiding penalties—it's about reaching more customers effectively. The standards set by these laws help create better digital experiences for everyone.
Common Questions About Web Accessibility Compliance
The landscape of web accessibility requirements can seem complex. Let's break down the most pressing questions you're likely asking.
Who Needs to Comply?
Does your business need to meet accessibility standards? The short answer is yes. If you have a website or digital service that customers use, accessibility laws likely apply to you.
What types of businesses are affected?
E-commerce companies: All online stores, regardless of size
SaaS providers: Any web-based software or application
Digital agencies: Both your own website and client projects
Financial services: Banking platforms and payment systems
Healthcare providers: Patient portals and medical information
Educational institutions: Learning platforms and resources
How do requirements vary by business type?
Private businesses fall under ADA Title III requirements. This means your presence must be accessible if you're open to the public. This includes:
Your main website
Mobile applications
Customer service portals
Digital documents and forms
Online checkout processes
What about company size and location?
While larger companies often face more scrutiny, size doesn't exempt you from compliance. Here's what matters:
Small businesses must comply, though implementation might be gradual
International companies need to meet both US and local standards
Companies with physical locations must ensure digital accessibility matches in-store accessibility
Are there industry-specific considerations?
Yes, some sectors face additional requirements:
Healthcare must also comply with HIPAA accessibility guidelines
Federal contractors need to meet Section 508 standards
Educational institutions have specific WCAG implementation requirements
Remember: The goal isn't just checking boxes for compliance. Making your online business accessible opens it to millions of potential customers who might otherwise be unable to use your services.
What Happens If My Website Isn't Compliant?
Non-compliance with accessibility standards isn't just about potential lawsuits—though those numbers are rising. In 2023 alone, businesses faced thousands of web accessibility lawsuits.
What are the immediate financial risks?
Legal settlements: Typically range from $5,000 to $20,000 per case
Legal fees: Can exceed the settlement amounts
Mandatory remediation costs: Often $20,000+ to fix accessibility issues
Multiple complaints: Many businesses face several lawsuits simultaneously
Beyond the legal costs
Non-compliance affects your business in ways that don't show up on legal bills:
Lost customers from inaccessible websites
Damaged brand reputation when accessibility issues become public
Reduced market reach, especially among older consumers
Lower search engine rankings due to poor accessibility
What triggers most lawsuits?
Inaccessible online shopping carts
PDF documents that screen readers can't process
Missing alternative text for images
Videos without captions
Forms that can't be completed using keyboards alone
Did you know? 30% of accessibility lawsuits in 2023 involved websites using overlay widgets—proving that quick-fix solutions often create more problems than they solve.
One of the ways to make sure your online store is WCAG- & ADA-compliant is to go for a custom Shopify e-commerce website.
Check out our article about it!
How Do I Know If My Website Is Compliant?
Checking your website's accessibility isn't a simple yes-or-no process. Automated tools only catch about 30% of accessibility issues, making human testing essential for complete compliance.
While automated scanning helps identify basic problems, you'll need expert reviews to ensure real accessibility.
Common compliance gaps found in most websites include:
Missing alternative text for images
Poor color contrast
Keyboard traps in forms
Unclear heading structure
Missing document language settings
The most common accessibility issues are often simple yet impactful. Missing alt text on images and a poorly structured heading hierarchy can make content inaccessible to screen readers, while low color contrast affects readability for those with visual impairments. Focus management issues create navigation challenges for keyboard users. Missing or incorrect form feedback can confuse users by failing to clearly indicate form errors.
When should you get a professional audit?
Timing matters for accessibility reviews. Schedule professional audits before major redesigns, after significant updates, and at least annually for general compliance checks.
If you're entering new markets or facing increased accessibility requirements, additional audits may be necessary.
What's Required for Different Types of Content?
Your website likely contains various content types, each needing specific attention for accessibility. Understanding these requirements helps you create a more inclusive information structure.
Website Content Requirements
Pages must be properly structured with headings
Navigation must work with the keyboard only
Forms need clear labels and error messages
Interactive elements require keyboard support
Colors must meet contrast requirements
Document Accessibility
Your PDFs and other documents need attention too:
PDFs: Must be tagged for screen readers
Spreadsheets: Require logical structure and headers
Word documents: Need proper heading hierarchy
Presentations: Should include alt text for images
Multimedia Content
For videos and audio content, you need:
Captions for all videos
Audio descriptions for important visual information
Transcripts for audio-only content
Accessible media players
Overly intense animations can also be problematic, as they may not respect users' preferred amount of motion. Such sites mostly don't handle the 'prefers-reduced-motion' CSS media feature in their code. Addressing these issues is a solid starting point to improve your site’s overall usability.
What about third-party content?
You're responsible for the accessibility of any content on your site, even if it comes from third-party sources. Make accessibility a key requirement when choosing vendors or embedding external content.
Document your compliance efforts and maintain regular communication with third-party providers about accessibility standards.
Managing Legacy Content
The DOJ understands the challenges of making older content accessible. Focus first on your most frequently accessed pages and current content. For archived materials - create a plan to make them accessible upon request.
Pro tip: Create a regular testing schedule that combines automated checks with manual reviews. Start with your most critical user journeys and gradually expand to cover everything.
The Business Case for Web Accessibility
The market for accessible services is larger than you might think. In the US alone, 70 million individuals live with disabilities, and 76 million Baby Boomers benefit from accessible design. Together, these groups command a big chunk of discretionary spending—a market too significant to ignore.
Beyond these direct numbers, accessible websites create better experiences for everyone. Think of sticking to web accessibility best practices as a universal design.
When you make your site easier to use for people with disabilities, you improve it for all users—including those using mobile devices, older adults, and people with temporary limitations.
How does this translate to business growth?
Companies with accessible websites report higher customer retention rates, increased customer satisfaction, and broader market reach.
Your investment in accessibility often pays for itself through increased sales, reduced support costs, and improved brand loyalty.
SEO and Digital Performance Benefits
Accessibility and SEO go hand in hand. The same practices that make your site accessible to people with disabilities also make it more visible to search engines.
When you implement proper heading structures, add alternative text to images, and create descriptive link text, you're speaking both search engines and screen readers' language.
Think about mobile users. Many accessibility features, like larger touch targets and clear navigation, directly improve the mobile experience. With mobile traffic dominating many websites, these improvements can significantly impact your conversion rates.
Remember: Every improvement you make for accessibility can bring multiple business benefits:
Clear navigation helps everyone find what they need.
Good color contrast makes your content more readable in all conditions.
Proper heading structure makes content more scannable for all users.
Essential WCAG 2.2 Compliance Components
Understanding WCAG 2.2 doesn't have to be complicated. Let's break down what you need to know about these technical standards.
Technical Standards Overview
WCAG 2.2 is built on four core principles, known as POUR:
Perceivable: Users must be able to see, hear, or touch the information
Operable: Users must be able to navigate and use all features
Understandable: Content and navigation must be clear and logical
Robust: Content must work with various technologies and stay accessible
Which compliance level does your website need?
There are three compliance levels of WCAG 2.2. Most businesses need to meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards. While Level A provides basic accessibility, and Level AAA offers the highest accessibility, Level AA strikes the right balance between usability and practical implementation.
Common Accessibility Barriers to Address
Navigation barriers often create the biggest challenges for users. Your website must be fully usable with a keyboard alone, as many people can't use a mouse. This means no keyboard traps and visible focus indicators for all interactive elements.
Visual content needs clear alternatives. Every meaningful image should have descriptive alternative text. Decorative images should be marked as such. Videos need captions, and complex images like charts require detailed descriptions.
Forms cause frequent accessibility problems. Each field needs a clear label, error messages must be easy to understand, and users should be able to complete forms using just their keyboard. Validation messages need to be announced by screen readers.
Color and contrast matter more than you think. Don't rely on color alone to convey information—this affects colorblind users. The text needs sufficient contrast with its background: 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
Priority fixes to tackle first:
Make your navigation keyboard-accessible
Add alternative text to important images
Ensure forms have proper labels
Fix color contrast issues
Add captions to videos
Remember: Good accessibility isn't about perfection—it's about progress. Start with these essential components and continuously improve your site's accessibility. Regular testing with real users who rely on assistive technologies provides the best insights for improvements.
Implementing Web Accessibility Best Practices
Implementing accessibility isn't a one-time project—it's an ongoing process that should be integrated into your development and design workflows. Here's how to approach it effectively.
Assessment and Audit Process
Start with a baseline assessment of your current accessibility status. While automated tools help identify basic issues, they only catch about 30% of accessibility problems.
A comprehensive audit combines automated scanning, manual testing, and evaluation using assistive technologies.
What should your audit include?
Start with automated scans to catch obvious issues.
Follow up with manual testing by accessibility experts who understand technical requirements and real-world usage patterns.
Include testing with screen readers and other assistive technologies to understand how your site works for users with disabilities.
The frequency of accessibility audits largely depends on how often the site content and structure changes as well as when standards are updated. Each time new features are rolled out or major content changes are made, it’s essential to include accessibility testing in the quality assurance process.
Additionally, whenever standards like WCAG are updated, it’s wise to conduct an audit to ensure continued compliance and to consider adding advanced features that can further enhance accessibility. Regular checks keep the site in line with best practices and ready for all users.
Development and Design Guidelines
Build accessibility into your process from the start. It's much easier—and less expensive—to create accessible features during development than to retrofit them later.
Your development team should understand semantic HTML, ARIA roles, and keyboard navigation principles.
Design with accessibility in mind. This means considering color contrast from the beginning, ensuring text is readable at different sizes, and creating layouts that work well with screen resizes.
Mobile accessibility requires special attention to touch targets, gesture alternatives, and responsive design principles.
Testing should be continuous, not just at project milestones. Integrate accessibility checks into your regular quality assurance process.
Train your team to spot common issues during development and design reviews.
Avoiding Common Implementation Pitfalls
Don't fall for quick-fix solutions. Accessibility overlays might seem tempting, but they're often ineffective and can create more problems than they solve. In fact, 30% of accessibility lawsuits in 2023 involved websites using overlay widgets.
Common mistakes to avoid:
Inconsistent heading structure: Skipping heading levels (like jumping from H1 to H4) or using headings for styling rather than organization
Hidden content for mobile: Using CSS to hide content on mobile views without providing alternatives
Temporary popups without warnings: Adding time-sensitive popups or notifications that disappear before screen readers can announce them
Insufficient error recovery: Creating forms that clear all data when one field has an error, forcing users to start over
Complex menu structures: Building deep, nested navigation menus that trap keyboard users
Inaccessible custom components: Using custom-built elements (like dropdowns or date pickers) without proper ARIA labels or keyboard support
Auto-playing media: Starting videos or audio automatically without user control
Insufficient focus management: Not returning focus to the right location after modal dialogs close or dynamic content updates
Gesture-dependent functions: Requiring complex touch gestures without keyboard or button alternatives
For businesses new to web accessibility, starting with foundational elements makes the biggest impact. Using semantic HTML with correct heading structure provides a structural base that works well with assistive technologies. Appropriate ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles enhance navigability, while accessible color contrast improves readability for all.
Required Documentation
Your accessibility statement isn't just a legal requirement—it's a commitment to your users. It should clearly explain your accessibility efforts, known issues, and how users can report problems or request assistance.
Understanding VPATs and ACRs is crucial for many organizations. These documents detail your compliance with accessibility standards and are often required for business contracts, especially with government entities.
Keep your documentation current. Maintain records of:
Your accessibility policy
Testing procedures and results
Remediation plans and timelines
User feedback and responses
Special Considerations for Different Business Types
Different types of businesses face unique accessibility challenges. Let's explore specific requirements for e-commerce, SaaS applications, and content-heavy websites.
E-commerce Specific Requirements
Your online store needs to work for everyone. Shopping cart abandonment often happens when customers face accessibility barriers—issues you can prevent with proper implementation.
Making your product catalog accessible starts with clear, descriptive product information. Every product image needs an alternative text that describes the item's key features. Color options should include text descriptions, not just swatches. Size charts and product specifications must be readable by screen readers.
The shopping cart and checkout processes deserve special attention. Users need to easily:
Review their cart contents
Modify quantities and remove items
Enter shipping and billing information
Complete purchases using keyboard navigation
Payment processes must be secure and accessible. Error messages should be clear and announced by screen readers. Timeout warnings need to give users enough time to complete transactions. All payment forms must work with password managers and autofill functions.
SaaS and Web Application Compliance
Dynamic content presents unique challenges in SaaS applications. When content updates automatically, screen reader users need to know what's changed. Status messages and notifications must be announced without disrupting the user's current task.
Live updates and form validation require careful handling. Users need clear feedback when their actions trigger changes. Error messages should be specific and helpful, explaining what went wrong and how to fix it.
Consider your application's workflow. Users relying on keyboard navigation or screen readers must be able to:
Navigate between different sections efficiently
Access all features and controls
Understand their current location
Recover from errors easily
Content-Heavy Websites
Managing large content libraries requires a systematic approach to accessibility. Your content management system should support accessibility features like proper heading structure and alternative text for images.
Document accessibility matters. Whether you're sharing PDFs, presentations, or spreadsheets. Besides the basics mentioned earlier, when managing multilingual and diverse content types, consider:
Language declarations: Properly marked language changes within documents for screen readers
Bi-directional text support: Ensuring proper display and navigation for RTL (right-to-left) languages
Regional date and number formats: Supporting different date formats and number systems
Font compatibility: Fonts support extended character sets without breaking layouts
Cultural context matters as much as technical implementation when you're reaching global users.
Alternative text needs cultural adaptation. What might be obvious to one audience could be confusing to another. Each region may require different descriptive approaches to convey the same information effectively.
Multimedia accessibility crosses language barriers. Your content should include synchronized captions in all supported languages, ensuring deaf and hard-of-hearing users across regions have equal access. Consider offering multiple audio tracks for videos and region-specific visual descriptions that make sense to local audiences.
Media content needs proper support. Video players must include:
Keyboard controls
Captions for all content
Audio descriptions when needed
Transcripts for audio content
Test your content with screen readers in each supported language, and work with native speakers who use assistive technologies.
Focus management is also key, especially for modals and pop-ups, as it ensures that keyboard-only users can easily navigate through the site without getting "trapped." These basics go a long way in making websites more inclusive.
Creating an Accessibility Action Plan
Implementing web accessibility can seem overwhelming. Let's break it down into manageable phases to help you create a realistic, achievable plan.
Immediate Steps (0-3 Months)
Start with an accessibility audit to understand where you stand. This initial assessment reveals your most urgent issues and helps prioritize your efforts. Focus first on barriers that directly prevent users from completing essential tasks on your site.
High-priority fixes to tackle first:
Critical navigation issues
Major form accessibility problems
Essential content accessibility
Severe contrast violations
Begin team training immediately. Your developers, designers, and content creators have to understand basic accessibility principles. This early investment prevents new accessibility issues while you fix existing ones.
Document everything you find and fix. Start creating your accessibility documentation now—you'll need it for compliance and to track progress. Include findings from your initial audit and plans for addressing each issue.
Short-Term Goals (3-6 Months)
Build on your initial progress by implementing systematic improvements. This is when you move from fixing urgent issues to creating sustainable accessibility practices.
Focus your efforts on:
Developing clear accessibility guidelines
Implementing automated testing tools
Creating accessible templates and components
Training team members on advanced accessibility topics
Track your progress using both automated and manual testing. Set up regular check-ins to review improvements and identify new challenges. Your documentation should now include detailed policies and procedures for maintaining accessibility.
Long-Term Strategy (6+ Months)
Think sustainability and continuous improvement. Your long-term strategy should focus on making accessibility an integral part of your digital operations.
Establish regular maintenance routines:
Monthly accessibility audits
Quarterly compliance reviews
Annual comprehensive assessments
Ongoing team training updates
Stay current with changing standards. As WCAG guidelines evolve and new technologies show up, your accessibility strategy needs to adapt. Plan for regular updates to your processes and documentation.
Remember: Your action plan should be flexible enough to accommodate new requirements while maintaining consistent progress toward your accessibility goals.
Pro tip: Include key stakeholders in your planning process. When leadership, development, design, and content teams understand their roles in accessibility, implementation becomes more effective and sustainable.
Ready To Take Action on ADA, WCAG and EAA Compliance? We Can Help With That!
Making your online presence fully accessible requires expertise, time, and dedicated resources. Naturaily's team of web development experts can help you build websites, e-commerce stores, and custom headless solutions that comply with ADA and WCAG guidelines from day one.
Whether you're starting a new project or need to make your existing one accessible, our team can help you create an inclusive experience that works for all your users while meeting legal requirements.
Let's talk about web-accessible solutions in your projects!
Contact us and we'll warmly introduce you to the vast world of composable & headless development!
