ADA Compliance for Websites: What You Need to Know in 2025
Website accessibility is more important than ever. Businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies are expected to ensure their websites are usable by people with disabilities. However, many are surprised to learn that while the ADA requires accessible websites, the Department of Justice (DOJ) still does not provide a single, detailed rulebook explaining what a compliant website must include. This post breaks down what ADA compliance means today and what practical steps your business can take. If you’re updating or rebuilding your site, our custom WordPress website design services can incorporate modern accessibility best practices from the start.
More clients are asking about ADA compliance today than ever before, but the challenge is the ambiguity. The DOJ clearly states that websites must meet general accessibility requirements, but the specifics are left open to interpretation.
“Businesses and state and local governments have flexibility in how they comply with the ADA’s general requirements of nondiscrimination and effective communication.”
U.S. Department of Justice
However, the DOJ also states:
“The Department of Justice does not have a regulation setting out detailed standards.”
So your website must be accessible, but the federal government does not provide an official checklist. This leaves businesses and developers relying on widely accepted industry standards—specifically the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). If some of the terminology is unfamiliar, you can visit our Website Vocabulary Guide for simple definitions.
WCAG: The Practical Standard for ADA Accessibility
Even though WCAG is not formally “the law,” the DOJ strongly references it, and it is the benchmark used in lawsuits, settlements, and professional accessibility audits. WCAG currently exists in several versions:
- WCAG 2.0 – older standard
- WCAG 2.1 – widely used; most lawsuits cite this
- WCAG 2.2 – newest published version (2023)
- WCAG 3.0 – draft stage, not enforceable
WCAG also includes three compliance levels: A (basic), AA (recommended), and AAA (highest, not practical for most websites). Most accessibility audits and legal actions reference WCAG 2.1 AA or WCAG 2.2 AA.
These standards cover dozens of items including color contrast, keyboard navigation, alt text, logical heading structure, form labels, focus order, and more. Reviewing each requirement requires time and expertise, which is why many businesses partner with professionals for accessibility improvements. The DOJ’s latest guidance document is available here if you’d like to read it directly.
Why Accessibility Is Never “Set It and Forget It”
Even if a site meets WCAG standards today, future changes can impact compliance: content updates, plugin changes, browser updates, screen reader improvements, new technologies, and evolving guidelines all affect accessibility.
- New content may introduce issues (e.g., missing alt text or headings).
- Design changes may affect contrast or readability.
- Plugin updates may alter markup or break keyboard navigation.
- WCAG guidelines continue to evolve as technology changes.
This is why accessibility is best viewed as an ongoing practice rather than a one-time achievement. If you want consistent monitoring, our Website Maintenance Plans can help ensure your site stays updated and compatible over time.
Should You Use an ADA Accessibility Plugin?
Many businesses use accessibility overlay tools like Accessibe, UserWay, or EqualWeb. These tools cannot make a website fully compliant, but they can provide:
- User-controlled visual adjustments
- Keyboard navigation helpers
- Contrast and text sizing tools
- A visible demonstration of effort toward accessibility
However, overlays do not fix the underlying code. They may help with mild improvements but are not considered a full accessibility solution. Still, for many businesses, an overlay is a helpful supplemental tool while broader improvements are made.
A Practical Approach to ADA Compliance in 2025
Because there is no single checklist required by law, most businesses take a practical, achievable approach to accessibility:
- Follow WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 AA guidelines where possible.
- Use proper headings, labels, alt text, and color contrast.
- Ensure all functionality works using just a keyboard.
- Fix known accessibility issues proactively.
- Use an overlay plugin only as supplemental support.
- Revisit accessibility during redesigns or major updates.
The goal is not perfection—it’s progress. Showing effort, making improvements over time, and following recognized standards significantly reduces risk and improves usability for everyone.
If you’d like help reviewing or improving your website’s accessibility, our team can assist with audits, remediation, or full redesigns. While no developer or tool can guarantee absolute ADA compliance due to evolving regulations, we can help ensure your site follows modern best practices and moves toward recognized accessibility standards. Get in touch through our contact page to learn more.