"Is my website ADA compliant?" It's a question every business owner should ask—and one that can feel overwhelming if you don't know where to start.
The good news: checking your website for ADA compliance isn't as complicated as you might think. You don't need to hire an expensive consultant or understand complex code. With the right approach, you can assess your site's accessibility in under an hour.
This guide will show you exactly how to check if your website is ADA compliant, using a combination of free automated tools and simple manual tests anyone can perform.
What Does ADA Compliant Mean for a Website?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses to make their services accessible to people with disabilities. While the original law focused on physical spaces, courts have consistently ruled that websites count as "places of public accommodation" under Title III.
In practice, ADA compliance for websites means following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Most courts and the Department of Justice reference WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the standard for compliance.
Quick definition: A website is ADA compliant when it can be used by people with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive disabilities—typically achieved by meeting WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
Step 1: Run an Automated Accessibility Scan
The fastest way to get a baseline assessment is to run your website through an automated accessibility scanner. These tools crawl your pages and flag common issues like missing alt text, low color contrast, and improperly labeled form fields.
Automated scanners can catch 30-50% of accessibility issues instantly. They won't catch everything (more on that later), but they're an excellent starting point.
Try RatedWithAI (Free)
Get a comprehensive accessibility report in under 60 seconds. Our AI-powered scanner checks for WCAG 2.1 violations and provides specific, actionable fixes.
Scan Your Site Free →Other Free Tools to Try:
- •WAVE — Browser extension that highlights issues directly on your page
- •axe DevTools — Chrome extension popular with developers
- •Lighthouse — Built into Chrome, includes accessibility audit
Step 2: The 5-Minute Keyboard Test
This is the single most important manual test you can do. Many people with disabilities navigate using only a keyboard—no mouse at all. If your site fails the keyboard test, it's not ADA compliant.
How to test:
- 1Put your mouse in a drawer (seriously—don't touch it)
- 2Use Tab to move forward through your page
- 3Use Shift + Tab to move backward
- 4Press Enter to activate links and buttons
- 5Use Arrow keys to navigate menus and forms
What to look for:
- ✓Can you see which element is focused at all times?
- ✓Can you reach every button, link, and form field?
- ✓Does the focus order make sense (top to bottom, left to right)?
- ✓Can you escape from modals and dropdowns?
- ✓Can you complete a purchase or submit a form?
Related: WCAG 2.1.1 Keyboard Accessibility
Step 3: Quick Screen Reader Check
Screen readers convert on-screen content to speech for blind and low-vision users. You don't need to become an expert, but spending 10 minutes with a screen reader reveals issues no automated tool can catch.
Mac Users
VoiceOver is built in. Press Cmd + F5 to activate.
Windows Users
Download NVDA (free) or use the built-in Narrator.
Listen for these issues:
- ✗Images announced as "image" or "graphic" — Missing alt text (WCAG 1.1.1)
- ✗Buttons announced as "button" with no label — Missing accessible names
- ✗Form fields with no context — Missing labels (WCAG 1.3.1)
- ✗Links that all say "click here" or "read more" — Unclear link purpose
Step 4: Visual Accessibility Checks
Some accessibility issues are visible to the naked eye. Here's what to look for:
Color Contrast
Text must have sufficient contrast against its background. Light gray text on white backgrounds is a common violation.
Test it: Use a contrast checker tool or RatedWithAI's scanner to verify your color combinations meet the 4.5:1 ratio requirement. Learn more about WCAG 1.4.3
Zoom Test
Users with low vision often zoom to 200% or more. Your content shouldn't break or require horizontal scrolling.
Test it: Press Ctrl/Cmd + Plus to zoom to 200%. Can you still read and use everything?
Flashing Content
Content that flashes more than 3 times per second can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Avoid it entirely or provide a way to pause/stop.
🚩 Red Flags That Mean Your Site Isn't ADA Compliant
If any of these are true, your website likely has ADA compliance issues:
- ✗You can't Tab to all clickable elements
- ✗Images don't have alt text descriptions
- ✗Videos don't have captions
- ✗Form fields don't have visible labels
- ✗Error messages only appear in red with no text explanation
- ✗You can't see which element is focused when using Tab
- ✗Your site breaks when zoomed to 200%
- ✗You get stuck in a modal or menu with no way to escape
What to Do If You Found Issues
Don't panic. Every website has accessibility issues—the goal is continuous improvement, not perfection overnight.
1. Prioritize Critical Issues First
Focus on issues that completely block users: keyboard traps, missing form labels, and inaccessible checkout flows.
2. Fix the Low-Hanging Fruit
Adding alt text and improving color contrast are quick wins that make a big difference.
3. Create an Accessibility Statement
Publish a page describing your commitment to accessibility, known issues you're addressing, and contact info for users who encounter problems.
4. Schedule Regular Audits
Accessibility isn't one-and-done. New content and features can introduce new issues. Scan your site monthly or after major updates.
State-Specific ADA Lawsuit Risk
ADA lawsuits aren't evenly distributed—some states see significantly more filings than others. New York and California account for over 70% of all federal ADA website lawsuits.
If your business serves customers in these states (even online), your risk is higher. Check our state-by-state guides for specific information on lawsuit trends and regulations in your area.
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