Serve Your Audience and Reduce Your Risk of Legal Liability

Ignoring website accessibility is a financial risk that could cost your business, both financially and and in reputation.

  1. Lawsuits over inaccessible websites are skyrocketing, and companies that fail to make their website accessible to all users are paying the price.
  2. With one in four US adults suffering from some disability, an inaccessible website is missing out on potential customers/clients/patrons who cannot learn more about what you offer.
  3. Government websites will soon be required by the DoJ to conform to the WCAG, 2.1, Level AA criteria to meet a specific accessibility baseline.
  4. Businesses and non-profits face reputational harm if they are sued or publicly exposed for not having an accessible website.

What makes a website accessible?

Simply put, website accessibility means that anyone can use your website, regardless of their disability. It sounds simple enough but there are many factors that make it complicated. Some of the criteria include:

  1. Highly-contrasted text and graphic elements
  2. Multiple ways to move through the site (menus, sitemap, search, etc)
  3. Keyboard and screen reader-accessible navigation and interaction
  4. Alternative text on images/graphics and proper labeling/titling on all elements
  5. Landmarks and semantically structured HTML
  6. Proper heading hierarchy/order

There are several layers to accessibility on the web. In the United States, most organizations are subject to at least some accessibility requirements on their website and the risk of not conforming to accessibility standards can be missed engagement, reputational harm, and civil litigation/penalties. For some organizations, like those that receive government funding or are part of government/municipal entities, the requirements are more strictly enforced and can result in loss of funding or fines.d

The ADA and Other Legal Frameworks

The primary federal law related to accessibility in the United states is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a civil rights law that was passed in 1990. This law requires public accommodations for those with disabilities for business, non-profits, and governmental organizations. This includes in digital spaces. However, since this law was written before the advent of the modern internet, it does not outline specific criteria for success. In spite of the lack of detail, it is still widely accepted to include a requirement for disability accommodations on websites.

Other laws impact specific types of organizations such as the Rehabilitation Act and the Affordable Care Act. The DoJ has set guidance and enforcement rules over the years on top of the written legislation. Individual states have also passed specific requirements for accessibility.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

Since the written laws in the United States do not lay out specific criteria for most organizations in most places, web developers have adopted the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to fill the void. The WCAG has become the gold-standard for website accessibility, cited more often than any other framework by government guidance and in the course of civil litigation.

The BEST way to ensure your website is accessible, both to follow legal requirements and ensure all your visitors can properly and safely use your website is to conform to the WCAG, Version 2.1, Level AA criteria.

Standards & Best Practices

While the WCAG provides criteria and some examples, how these guidelines are practically applied is a matter of regular updates based on industry consensus and the outcome of legal cases. What is the standard practices at any given time for how to apply the WCAG guidelines is what is known as Best Practices. This is where professionals like us can help the most, navigating the ever-evolving space of website accessibility.

Is Your Website a Lawsuit Waiting to Happen? The Cost of Inaccessibility

Fixing web accessibility issues isn’t just about meeting legal requirements—it’s about creating an inclusive digital experience. Features like captions for videos, intuitive navigation, and mobile-friendly designs help users with disabilities feel seen and be able to engage with your site. Analytically, it allows webmasters to track and improve SEO as accessibility is a factor in how a website is ranked in search results.

Issues like missing alt text, poor color contrast, and keyboard inaccessibility make it impossible for users with disabilities to navigate modern website designs. This opens your business up to costly legal consequences should a user choose to take legal action. There are over 4,000 lawsuits per year related to accessibility in the United States. A fourth of those websites are for repeat accessibility offenders.

Our Website Accessibility Pricing Guide breaks down the cost of web accessibility versus the financial risks of web inaccessibility.

What Factors Determine Accessibility Costs?

Understanding the cost to bring your website in line with accessibility best practices begins with recognizing the factors influencing web accessibility, including accessible web design costs. Many variables, such as website complexity, content types, and regulatory requirements, can all impact these costs.

The best accessibility services are upfront about pricing. As a top-tier digital marketing agency, we suggest following these web content accessibility guidelines to help you avoid heavy fines while delivering a seamless and responsive user experience.

Web accessibility costs can vary widely depending on several factors:

  • Scope of services: Accessibility audits, remediation, and ongoing conformity monitoring require varying levels of investment. More comprehensive solutions, such as custom remediation, will incur higher costs.
  • Size of Website: The more pages, content, and media that your website features will incur a larger investment to review and resolve issues.
  • Business size and industry: Larger businesses or those in regulated industries like eCommerce may require greater conformity, which can drive up costs.
  • Accessibility provider’s expertise: Experienced accessibility consultants and agencies may charge more due to their specialized knowledge of the ADA and WCAG guidelines.
  • Geographic reach: Businesses targeting multiple states or operating nationally may need to meet varying state and federal accessibility standards, impacting overall costs.

Why Website Accessibility Costs Vary by Service Provider

When considering how much to invest in website accessibility, be aware that the cost of accessible web design can vary significantly between service providers. This variation often reflects differences in expertise, service scope, and the provider’s overall reputation.

  • Agencies vs. Freelancers: Accessibility agencies typically have larger teams and more resources, leading to higher costs and more comprehensive services. Freelancers may offer more flexible pricing but carry much more risk due to a lack of guideline knowledge for large-scale remediation and ongoing support.
  • Location of the Provider: The geographic location of the accessibility provider can also influence pricing. Agencies based in major cities or regions with a higher cost of living may charge more than those operating in lower-cost areas.

Understanding Different Website Accessibility Pricing Models

Accessibility service providers offer several pricing models for business needs and budgets. When working with an experienced website content accessibility team, pricing or service costs can range from hourly rates to monthly retainers or project-based fees, depending on the complexity of your website and your accessibility and WCAG conformity goals.

Since accessibility is an ongoing process, regular updates and audits are necessary to maintain your website.

This is a breakdown of how much you’ll pay for the most common accessibility pricing models:

  • Hourly accessibility services: Charging by the hour suits businesses needing occasional accessibility support or specific audit services. This model allows clients to pay for website accessibility services as needed.
  • Monthly packages: A monthly retainer is ideal for businesses seeking ongoing accessibility monitoring, updates, and support. This model often includes automated scans, manual reviews, and remediation efforts.
  • Project-based pricing: This model involves a fixed price for a defined accessibility project, such as a complete website audit or remediation effort. It’s suitable for businesses that do not update their website content and do not require continuous support.
  • Performance-based: In this model, the provider’s fees are tied to achieving specific goals, such as WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines. Depending on the service provider’s structure, this can be a high-risk, high-reward approach to making websites conform to the WCAG.

Hourly Accessibility Services: When and Why to Use Them

Hourly accessibility services are a flexible option for businesses that need targeted accessibility solutions or expert guidance on specific issues or web design costs. Companies often reassess their accessibility needs, and hiring an accessibility consultant hourly can be a cost-effective way to address accessibility challenges as they arise.

This approach allows businesses to allocate budgets efficiently without committing to a full-scale project.

This model is ideal for:

  • Accessibility audits: If you need a thorough evaluation of your website’s accessibility, an hourly audit can provide a cost-effective way to identify conformity gaps and receive expert recommendations.
  • Consultation and strategy: Businesses seeking to develop a website accessibility strategy without a long-term contract can leverage hourly services for expert guidance on best practices, policy development, or remediation plans.
  • Urgent accessibility fixes: When a specific accessibility issue arises, such as a legal notice or a user complaint, hourly services can provide quick and efficient resolution.
  • Staff training: Companies can invest in hourly training sessions to educate their team on accessibility best practices and ongoing maintenance.

Monthly Accessibility Packages: A Long-Term Investment

Monthly website accessibility monitoring packages are essential for businesses committed to maintaining long-term accessibility. Investing in ongoing upkeep ensures that your website remains accessible to all users, keeps up with evolving regulations, and reduces the risk of legal challenges.

The cost of these packages varies depending on the specific needs and goals of each business, offering a customized approach to digital accessibility.

A typical monthly accessibility package might include:

  • Regular accessibility audits: Monthly scans and manual reviews to identify and address new accessibility conformity issues as they arise.
  • Ongoing remediation: Continuous updates to website elements such as alt text, ARIA labels, and navigation improvements to maintain accessibility.
  • Content accessibility enhancements: Ensuring that new content, including videos, PDFs, and blog posts, meets WCAG standards.
  • Assistive technology testing: Regular testing with screen readers and other accessibility tools to verify usability for all visitors.
  • Accessibility reporting: Detailed reports on accessibility status, improvements made, and areas requiring attention.

Don’t wait until you’re facing a lawsuit, contact us to invest in web accessibility now and future-proof your business.

Website Accessibility FAQs

What are the current accessibility standards for websites in 2025?

All local, state, and federal government websites need to conform to the WCAG 2.1 AA as of April 2026, with some extensions for smaller municipalities. All other businesses and organizations within the United States are also subject to the ADA and adhering to the WCAG guidelines is the best way to defend against lawsuits and fines.

How do I know if my website is accessible?

If you haven’t actively pursued website accessibility, it’s almost certainly will not work for all users. Automatic scanning tools often generate conflicting and inaccurate results. Many tools available through a Google search are also built as a way for private businesses to generate sales leads so only a trusted web professional can accurately assess and maintain accessibility as your site evolves.

Which organizations are required to conform to accessible website standards?

All businesses: Retail stores, banks, hotels, hospitals, restaurants, and entertainment venues, non-profits, and government websites must conform to the WCAG and are subject to the ADA. Soon, local, state, and federal government websites will be required to specifically meet the WCAG 2.1 Level AA criteria, enforced by the Department of Justice.

Why are ADA lawsuits increasing in 2025?

ADA-related lawsuits are skyrocketing due to evolving standards, the outcomes of lawsuits, stricter enforcement by the U.S. Department of Justice, and businesses still lagging in conformity. A staggering 77% of ADA lawsuits in 2023 targeted small businesses with under $25 million in revenue. Accessibility isn’t just about avoiding lawsuits—it’s about future-proofing your business.

This article was written in collaboration by Warren Greeley (Chief Creative) and Allison Smith (Copywriter) on behalf of CyberOptik.