Serve Your Audience and Reduce Your Risk of Legal Liability: Adhere to the WCAG 2.1 Guidelines

Ignoring website accessibility is a financial risk that could cost your business tens of thousands in legal fees. Lawsuits over inaccessible websites are skyrocketing, and companies that fail to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are paying the price.

Making your website accessible isn’t just about dodging lawsuits; it’s also about opening your doors to millions of potential customers who rely on accessibility to properly engage with businesses online.

What is ADA Compliance?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a civil rights law that was passed in 1990, and is an important consideration in web design. The goal is to ensure everyone has equal access to information, products, services, and environments in the American marketplace. ADA compliance is the practice of making these things accessible to people with disabilities.

Company websites without these practices risk lawsuits, hefty fines, and reputational damage. Beyond the legal risks, inaccessible websites alienate potential customers, limiting market reach and user engagement. Investing in web accessibility enhances overall user experience, improves brand reputation, and expands market reach.

But how much can a service like this cost?

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

Fixing web accessibility issues isn’t just about complying with the law—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. Analytically, it allows webmasters to track and improve SEO based on this more inclusive user experience.

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.

Our ADA Website Compliance Pricing Guide breaks down the cost of web compliance versus the financial risks of web inaccessibility.

What Factors Determine ADA Compliance Costs?

Understanding the cost to bring your website in line with ADA 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 ADA compliance costs can vary widely depending on several factors:

  • Scope of services: Accessibility audits, remediation, and ongoing compliance 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 compliance, which can drive up costs.
  • Compliance provider’s expertise: Experienced accessibility consultants and agencies may charge more due to their specialized knowledge of ADA compliance 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 ADA Website Compliance Costs Vary by Service Provider

When considering how much to invest in ADA website compliance, 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 ADA Website Compliance Pricing Models

ADA compliance 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 compliance goals.

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

This is a breakdown of how much you’ll pay for the most common accessibility and ADA compliance 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 compliant services as needed.
  • Monthly compliance 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 compliance: 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 ADA compliant.

Hourly ADA Website Compliance Services: When and Why to Use Them

Hourly ADA website compliance 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 compliance 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:

  • ADA compliance audits: If you need a thorough evaluation of your website’s accessibility, an hourly audit can provide a cost-effective way to identify compliance gaps and receive expert recommendations.
  • Consultation and strategy: Businesses seeking to develop an ADA compliance 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 compliance 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 compliance maintenance.

Monthly ADA Website Compliance Packages: A Long-Term Investment

Monthly ADA website compliance 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 ADA compliance package might include:

  • Regular accessibility audits: Monthly scans and manual reviews to identify and address new compliance issues as they arise.
  • Ongoing remediation: Continuous updates to website elements such as alt text, ARIA labels, and navigation improvements to maintain compliance.
  • 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.
  • Compliance 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.

ADA Website Compliance FAQs

What are the current ADA compliance standards for websites in 2025?

All local, state, and federal government websites need to adhere to the WCAG 2.1 AA standard but have 1-2 years to bring compliance up to date depending on the population size the organization serves. 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 do that. Lack of compliance can result in lawsuits and fines.

How do I know if my website is ADA compliant?

If you haven’t actively pursued website compliance, it’s almost certainly not compliant. 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 compliance as your site evolves.

Which organizations are required to comply with ADA website standards?

All businesses: Retail stores, banks, hotels, hospitals, restaurants, and entertainment venues, non-profits, and government websites must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Soon, local, state, and federal government websites will be required to specifically meet the WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, 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 compliance. A staggering 77% of ADA lawsuits in 2023 targeted small businesses with under $25 million in revenue. Compliance 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.