ADA Website Demand Letters: What They Mean and How to Respond

Businesses of all sizes are seeing more ADA website demand letters—formal notices alleging that a company’s site isn’t accessible to people with disabilities. These letters can be unsettling, but understanding what they are and how to respond can help you manage risk, protect your brand, and—most importantly—ensure equal access for all users.

What is an ADA website demand letter?

An ADA website demand letter is a notice, usually from a law firm, claiming a business’s website (or app, PDFs, or forms) has accessibility barriers—such as missing alt text, low color contrast, keyboard traps, or content that isn’t compatible with screen readers. The letter typically requests corrective action and may seek a settlement. It isn’t a lawsuit, but ignoring it can trigger one.

Why do businesses receive them?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits disability-based discrimination in access to goods and services. As more commerce and services move online, legal scrutiny of digital accessibility has grown. While the ADA doesn’t set a single technical web standard for private businesses, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has long said the ADA applies to web content. In enforcement actions and settlements, WCAG conformance—most commonly WCAG 2.1 Level AA—is frequently used as the benchmark. States and courts also reference WCAG, and recent DOJ rulemaking made WCAG 2.1 AA mandatory for state and local government websites and mobile apps under ADA Title II.

How to respond—strategically and in good faith

1. Consult experienced counsel.
   Before responding, connect with an attorney who understands ADA and digital accessibility. They can help you assess claims, timelines, and risk.
2. Evaluate your website and digital documents.
   Commission an accessibility audit against WCAG 2.1 AA (or newer, when feasible). Include real-user testing with assistive technologies (e.g., JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver), and review PDFs and online forms—not just web pages.
3. Prioritize and plan remediation.
   Create a written remediation plan with owners, timelines, and milestones. Address high-impact, high-frequency issues first (navigation, forms, contrast, alternative text, focus order, captions/transcripts). Keep work tickets and change logs to document good-faith efforts.
4. Communicate proactively.
   A measured, professional response that acknowledges the concern and outlines your remediation plan can reduce the likelihood of escalation. Avoid admitting legal liability while demonstrating a commitment to accessibility.
5. Make accessibility an ongoing practice.
   Accessibility isn’t “one and done.” Build checks into design/development workflows, train teams, test releases, and monitor continuously. Publish an accessibility statement that explains your standards, known limitations, and a contact channel for feedback.

Turning risk into opportunity

Proactive accessibility reduces legal exposure and unlocks better user experience, broader reach, and stronger SEO. Accessible sites tend to load cleaner, structure content better, and earn more engagement—signals search engines reward. Done right, accessibility strengthens brand trust and loyalty.

Don’t wait

Demand letters are common—and preventable. If you’ve received one, act quickly and transparently. If you haven’t, adopt accessibility now to avoid costly remediation, reputational harm, and missed opportunities to serve more customers.

Download your free guide today and protect your business while building a more inclusive online experience.