ADA Compliance Checklist for Websites: Free, Interactive

How to use

Confirm your obligation and audit

Start with groups 1 and 2: confirm Title III applies, adopt WCAG 2.1 AA, then run a site scan, a keyboard-only test, a screen reader pass and a check of PDFs and mobile pages.

Work through the technical fixes

Groups 3 to 5 list WCAG 2.1 AA fixes with criterion numbers, from alt text and 4.5:1 contrast to flashing content, form labels and status announcements. Tick each one when verified, or mark it needs work with a note.

Document and export

Finish with group 6: statement, feedback channel, vendor rules, re-scans and training. Then use Copy as Markdown, CSV or PDF for a dated copy, or Save progress file to continue later.

Why ADA Website Compliance Checklist

43 items covering the Title III process and technical WCAG 2.1 AA fixes.
Each technical item tagged with its WCAG criterion and a W3C reference link.
Four statuses and notes per item; progress saved in the browser or a file.
Export as Markdown, CSV or a dated PDF. Free, with no account.

Title II vs Title III: who this checklist is for

The ADA splits public-facing obligations between two titles. Title III covers private businesses open to the public, such as shops, restaurants, hotels, banks, medical offices and online stores. This checklist is built for them. There is no Title III regulation with a web standard or deadline, so the obligation applies now and WCAG 2.1 AA is the working benchmark.

Title II covers state and local governments, including public schools and universities. The DOJ has a separate rule for them with a formal WCAG 2.1 AA standard, compliance dates and a list of exceptions. If you work for a public entity, use our ADA Title II Compliance Checker instead, which includes a deadline calculator and an exceptions self-check. The technical fixes are largely the same under both titles, since both point to WCAG 2.1 AA.

Barriers commonly cited in ADA website claims, by industry

Claims tend to focus on the task a customer could not complete. The table lists barriers that often come up in each sector. Use it to decide which journeys to test first with a keyboard and a screen reader.

Industry	Barriers often cited	Checklist items to start with
Retail and e-commerce	Product images without alt text, unlabeled filters, checkout that fails with a keyboard	Alt text, form labels, keyboard access
Restaurants	Image-only PDF menus, online ordering widgets	PDFs and menus, vendor requirements
Hotels and travel	Booking engines that cannot be used without a mouse, missing details about accessible rooms	Keyboard access, forms, error messages
Healthcare	Appointment forms, patient portals, untagged PDF forms	Form labels, error messages, PDFs
Banking and finance	Login steps, session time-outs, low-contrast text	Time limits, contrast, custom controls

Common questions

Does the ADA apply to business websites?

The DOJ's web accessibility guidance says businesses open to the public must make their websites accessible under Title III. The ADA text does not mention websites, and courts have disagreed about sites with no physical location. In practice, businesses of all kinds receive ADA web claims every year.

What WCAG level does ADA website compliance require?

Title III has no formal technical standard for websites. WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the standard DOJ settlements and court orders usually reference, and it is the standard the Title II rule adopted for governments. This checklist uses it throughout.

Are small businesses exempt from ADA website rules?

No. Title III has no employee-count threshold for businesses open to the public. The 15-employee threshold many people remember comes from Title I, which covers employment. Small businesses do receive web accessibility claims.

What are the penalties for an inaccessible website under the ADA?

In a private Title III lawsuit, the court can order you to fix the site and pay the plaintiff's attorney fees; federal Title III does not give private plaintiffs money damages. Some state laws do, such as California's Unruh Act, which sets a minimum of $4,000 per violation. The DOJ can also seek civil penalties.

Does an accessibility overlay make my site ADA compliant?

No. Overlay widgets add a toolbar on top of your site but do not fix the underlying code, and businesses using them still receive lawsuits. Fixing the items in this checklist in your actual code is the approach that holds up.

Do I need an accessibility statement for ADA compliance?

The ADA does not require one. A statement is still useful: it names your standard, lists known issues and gives people a way to report barriers. Our Accessibility Statement Generator builds one from a short form.

How often should I audit my website for ADA compliance?

The law sets no schedule. This checklist suggests a scan every quarter and after every redesign, plus a manual check when you add a new template, form or third-party widget. Keep the dated reports.

Do restaurant menu PDFs cause ADA website problems?

Often. A menu scanned as an image PDF cannot be read by a screen reader, and it is a common complaint. Publish the menu as an HTML page or a properly tagged PDF.

Can finishing the ADA compliance checklist guarantee I won't be sued?

No checklist can promise that, since anyone can file a claim. A completed, dated checklist does show a real remediation effort, and it removes the barriers claims cite most often.

What is in the ADA checklist PDF download?

The PDF shows the date, your overall progress, and every item with its WCAG criterion, its status (Done, Needs work, Not applicable or Open) and any note you added. Progress is stored in your browser and never uploaded, so the PDF reflects what you marked on this device or loaded from a progress file.