I Got a Demand Letter Saying My Website Violates the ADA. Is This Real, and What Do I Do Now?

A legal demand letter has just landed in your inbox.

It claims your website is not accessible to people with disabilities and that your business is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Your first reaction might be to assume it’s a scam.

After all, you’ve heard stories about businesses receiving template demand letters hoping they’ll pay a quick settlement.

While some letters are broadly written and sent to many businesses, that does not necessarily mean the legal issue itself is invalid. If your website has accessibility problems, ignoring the letter could expose your business to much larger legal costs. Understanding what the demand means and responding appropriately is often the most important step you can take.

An ADA Demand Letter Should Be Taken Seriously

Many ADA website disputes begin with a demand letter rather than a lawsuit.

The letter usually explains the alleged accessibility barriers and requests that the business respond within a relatively short period.

Response deadlines commonly range from 30 to 60 days. Ignoring the letter does not make the issue disappear and may increase the likelihood of formal litigation.

Even if you disagree with the allegations, reviewing the claims promptly is generally a better approach than allowing the response deadline to expire.

Website Accessibility Is Commonly Measured Using WCAG

Although the ADA itself does not contain detailed technical website accessibility standards, courts and the US Department of Justice frequently rely on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) when evaluating websites.

WCAG 2.1 Level AA is commonly treated as the current working standard, while more recent cases increasingly reference WCAG 2.2 Level AA.

Meeting these guidelines generally involves making websites usable for people who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, and other assistive technologies.

Consumer Websites Face the Greatest Risk

Businesses sometimes assume ADA website claims affect only large national companies. In practice, many different types of consumer-facing businesses have received demand letters.

More than 5,100 ADA website cases were filed during 2025, with industries such as retail, eCommerce, hospitality, restaurants, entertainment, and media frequently targeted.

Any website that sells products or services directly to consumers may therefore face accessibility scrutiny regardless of its size.

Accessibility Problems Are More Common Than Many Businesses Realize

Many business owners believe their websites are reasonably accessible because they function well for most visitors.

Unfortunately, accessibility involves much more than whether a site loads correctly. Only about 4% of websites currently meet recognized accessibility standards.

That helps explain why accessibility demand letters have become increasingly common across many industries.

Accessibility Widgets May Not Solve the Problem

Some companies respond to a demand letter by installing an accessibility overlay or widget that promises immediate compliance.

While these tools may provide useful features, they are not always a complete solution.

Plaintiffs frequently argue accessibility overlays do not correct the underlying code problems and, in some situations, may even create additional usability issues for people using assistive technology.

If accessibility issues exist, addressing the underlying website code is generally more effective than relying solely on an overlay.

Accessibility Should Continue as Your Website Evolves

Modern websites change frequently. New pages, checkout processes, product features, and content are added throughout the year.

Businesses sometimes complete one accessibility review but fail to evaluate future updates, allowing new accessibility issues to appear over time.

Accessibility is therefore most effective when it becomes part of the ongoing website development process rather than a one-time project completed after receiving a demand letter.

Common Founder Mistakes

• Ignoring the demand letter: Missing the response deadline may increase the likelihood of a lawsuit and reduce opportunities to resolve the matter before litigation begins.
• Assuming an accessibility overlay alone solves every issue: Widgets may improve certain features, but they generally do not replace proper accessibility improvements within the website itself.
• Waiting until after receiving a legal complaint to review website accessibility: Identifying and addressing accessibility issues earlier is often much less disruptive than responding after legal action begins.
• Treating accessibility as a one-time project: Websites continue to evolve, and new pages or features may introduce additional accessibility issues if they are not reviewed before publication.

10-Minute ADA Website Accessibility Self Check

• Have I reviewed the demand letter and identified the response deadline?
• Do I know whether my website meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA or WCAG 2.2 Level AA?
• Has the website been tested using both a screen reader and keyboard-only navigation?
• Am I relying entirely on an accessibility overlay?
• Do I have records of previous accessibility testing or remediation?
• Are new website updates reviewed for accessibility before they go live?
• Have I obtained legal advice before responding to the demand letter?

If you cannot answer yes to all of these, you are not ready to respond to that demand letter yet.

Bottom Line

Receiving an ADA website demand letter does not automatically mean your business has violated the law, but it should never be ignored. Understanding the accessibility concerns, reviewing your website against recognized standards, and responding within the required timeframe can significantly improve your ability to resolve the matter while reducing legal risk.

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