7 Myths Around ADA Compliance

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7 Myths Around ADA Compliance

Posted January 07, 2025

AudioEye

Posted January 07, 2025

An accessibility icon is in the middle of a page with a purple line running through it. A textbox labeled 'Fact' is in the upper left-hand corner and another textbox labeled 'Myth' is in the bottom right-hand corner.
An accessibility icon is in the middle of a page with a purple line running through it. A textbox labeled 'Fact' is in the upper left-hand corner and another textbox labeled 'Myth' is in the bottom right-hand corner.

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With how complex the ADA is, it’s not surprising that misconceptions around ADA compliance standards exist. Below, we’ll debunk seven myths about the ADA and how you can ensure your digital content meets compliance standards.

When the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990, it had one goal: to ensure equal access and opportunity for people with disabilities. While the law initially focused on physical spaces, like wheelchair ramps and accessible parking, the act has since evolved to encompass the digital world. Websites, mobile apps, online documents, and other digital platforms are all considered places of public accommodation, as stated by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) — making their accessibility just as critical as a building’s entrance.

It’s also applicable to nearly everyone: Businesses, non-profits, private entities, and government agencies that provide goods or services to the public are expected to be ADA-compliant. That broad scope highlights the ADA’s purpose in breaking down accessibility barriers and providing equal access to both physical and digital spaces.

Despite its importance, ADA compliance — especially in the digital realm — is often misunderstood. There’s many myths and misconceptions surrounding the act which leaves many organizations confused about what’s required and why it matters. 

Below, we’ll explore some of the top myths about ADA compliance and discuss the facts. We’ll also provide some best practices on how to enhance compliance with the ADA.

Why ADA Compliance Matters for Digital Spaces

ADA compliance isn’t just a box to check — it’s vital to creating an inclusive and digital world. More importantly, it’s integral to minimizing your legal risk and avoiding lawsuits. 

Yet, many don’t understand what ADA compliance means for their digital presence. The result? An increase in ADA website lawsuits. In the last few years, businesses of all sizes have faced legal action for failing to meet ADA compliance requirements. These lawsuits highlight a significant gap in awareness about the legal requirements and the consequences of non-compliance.

But compliance isn’t just about avoiding lawsuits. It’s an opportunity to:

  • Reach a broader audience: Around 13% of the U.S. population has a disability. Ensuring your digital content is accessible to millions of people opens your business's digital doors to a larger, more diverse, and highly loyal audience.
  • Enhance the user experience: Accessibility improvements, like clear navigation and alternative text (also called alt text) for images, benefit everyone, not just those with disabilities. 
  • Boost your SEO: Many accessibility best practices align with SEO best practices, meaning you can help your site rank higher in search results by improving accessibility. 
  • Protect your brand: Today’s consumers prioritize brands that demonstrate social responsibility and value inclusiveness. Making your brand accessible strengthens your reputation and boosts trust among customers. 

With the benefits of accessibility in mind, let’s explore the top seven myths about ADA compliance.

A website being checked for ADA compliance

Myth #1: ADA Compliance Only Applies to Physical Spaces

Most people think of physical accessibility — accessible parking spaces, wheelchair ramps, braille signage, etc. — when they think of ADA compliance. However, the DOJ has repeatedly stated that online spaces are considered places of public accommodation and must be accessible by individuals with disabilities. 


To meet ADA compliance requirements, you must adhere to the accessibility standards outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. These guidelines provide technical specifications for making websites and digital content more accessible. Ignoring these requirements can leave you vulnerable to legal action and missed opportunities to connect with a broader audience.

Myth #2: ADA Compliance is Optional for Small Businesses

Many small businesses are under the assumption they do not need to meet ADA compliance standards. The truth? Any company offering services to the public must comply. The only exemptions for ADA compliance apply to private clubs, religious organizations, and small businesses without public access. 

However, even if organizations are technically exempt, creating accessible digital spaces is still a best practice. It ensures all potential customers can engage with your digital content, helping you reach a broader audience and demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity.

Myth #3: Accessible Websites are Unattractive or Hard to Build

Some organizations are concerned that adding accessibility features to their website may slow performance or detract from their web design. In reality, accessible websites actually improve web designs and usually only require minor adjustments to digital content.


For example, ensuring sufficient color contrast not only improves readability for individuals with visual impairments (such as low vision or color blindness) but also makes your site more visually appealing with well-balanced colors and eye-catching text. Another example is structuring your headings in the correct order, which improves navigation for screen readers and creates a cleaner, more organized layout for all users.

Myth #4: ADA Compliance is a One-Time Task

This is arguably one of the most risky myths about ADA compliance. Too many approach it as a one-and-done project when, in reality, it is an ongoing effort that requires regular monitoring. 


Websites frequently change — new pages are added, content is updated, and features are redesigned. Each of these changes can introduce new accessibility issues that put your organization at risk for non-compliance. Regular accessibility audits and testing are essential to maintaining compliance and providing a better user experience.

Myth #5: Using an Accessibility Widget or Overlay Ensures Full ADA Compliance

As mentioned above, accessibility is an ongoing effort. And it’s one that requires more than just one tool. While accessibility overlays and widgets can help you get started on the path to ADA compliance, they can’t bring you into full compliance — no tool can. 

Most accessibility overlays and widgets can only find and fix common accessibility issues — like missing alt text or poor color contrast — and may create additional barriers for users with disabilities. More complex accessibility issues, like screen reader compatibility or how descriptive hyperlinks or alt text are, can only be identified with human intervention. A hybrid approach — combining automated tools with expert testing — is necessary to meet compliance standards and create a seamless user experience.

Myth #6: Only Websites Need to be ADA-Compliant

ADA compliance standards don’t just apply to websites. Compliance also applies to mobile apps, PDFs, and other digital content. This is one of the most common ADA compliance issues and can leave you vulnerable to legal action. 

Put simply, any digital resource your business provides to the public must be accessible. Ensure your mobile apps are navigable with assistive technologies and that PDFs are correctly tagged for screen readers.

Myth #7: If My Website Conforms with WCAG Standards, It’s Immune to ADA Lawsuits

Accessibility constantly changes, so your website may not be entirely immune to ADA lawsuits. Plus, even if your website incorporates most WCAG guidelines, if a user experiences an accessibility barrier, you may be subjected to an ADA lawsuit. 


Here’s the bottom line: digital accessibility is about creating a positive experience, not just checking off a list of requirements. Implementing accessibility features on an ADA checklist can help minimize your legal risk and avoid falling under the assumption that you’re fully immune from an ADA lawsuit. Doing so can cause you to fall behind on the latest accessibility trends and put your organization at risk again. 

Stylized web browser with a text box that reads 'ADA Compliance'; a woman in a wheelchair is sitting next to the web browser.

Beyond the Myths: The Real Impact of ADA Compliance and Accessibility

ADA compliance isn’t always cut and dry — there’s a lot to understand about the act and how it applies to your organization. Understanding the facts about the ADA can help you minimize your legal risk and better prioritize accessibility. Doing so protects your business and creates a better experience for everyone who interacts with your brand.

The best place to get started? AudioEye. At AudioEye, we provide a three-pronged approach to accessibility that helps you achieve industry-leading compliance with accessibility laws like the ADA. We start with AI-driven automation technology that finds and fixes common accessibility issues in real time and supplement that testing with expert audits from accessibility experts and individuals with disabilities. 

With AudioEye, the path to ADA compliance is faster, easier, and cost-effective, giving you peace of mind that your digital content is compliant and accessible. Plus, AudioEye Assurance offers a level of protection that is up to 400% better than consulting or automation-only approaches. 


Start your path to ADA compliance with a free accessibility scan. Or schedule a demo to see how AudioEye can minimize your legal risks.

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