Navigating the Murky Waters of ADA Compliance in the Internet Age

In recent years, many companies have been swept up in a wave of lawsuits claiming that certain private commercial websites are inaccessible to users with disabilities and thus violate Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For example, blind individuals, who use screen-reader software to access the Internet, have alleged that they are unable to visit certain websites that have not been properly coded to convert visual information to audio translations. Complicating matters is the lack of clear guidance from the government and courts concerning whether websites are considered places of public accommodation under the ADA and, if so, what steps businesses must take to ensure website compliance with the ADA. This has left well-intentioned companies scratching their heads while exposed to the threat of costly litigation.