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The Costly Lesson of Web Accessibility: What Every Business Owner Should Know

  • Writer: Wili Baronet-Israel
    Wili Baronet-Israel
  • Aug 4
  • 2 min read

Updated: Aug 4

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Did you know that California is one of the biggest hotspots in the nation for web accessibility lawsuits? Because of overlapping state and federal laws—including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Unruh Civil Rights Act—businesses that serve clients in California face an elevated risk of legal action if their websites are not considered disability-friendly.

It’s not just large corporations that are targeted. Small and mid-sized businesses are often on the receiving end of these lawsuits, and the financial and emotional costs can be significant—even if they win.


A Real Story From a Local Business Owner

Take the example of my friend Amy, who owns an electric cart business. She recently found herself on the receiving end of a lawsuit filed by a blind individual claiming her website was not accessible.

Now, here’s the kicker: Amy doesn’t sell online courses or digital services—she sells electric street legal golf carts. But because her business has an online presence, she was still vulnerable. She chose to fight the lawsuit and ultimately won. However, it wasn’t without cost. Hiring an attorney and navigating the legal system still set her back thousands of dollars and took her focus away from running her small business.

Her case illustrates an important reality: winning doesn’t mean it’s free.


Why Web Accessibility Matters

These lawsuits aren’t going away anytime soon. In fact, they’ve been rising year after year, especially in California. And while the legal risks are real, there’s also a huge opportunity here: making your website accessible isn’t just about compliance—it’s about inclusion and good business.

When your website is accessible:

  • You reach more customers. Millions of people in the U.S. have visual, auditory, or mobility impairments.

  • You build trust. An inclusive website shows your business values accessibility and community.

  • You reduce legal risk. Proactively addressing accessibility can help protect your business from costly lawsuits.


What Business Owners Can Do

The good news is that there are clear steps you can take:

  1. Audit Your Website – Use accessibility checkers or hire a professional to identify where your site may fall short.

  2. Follow WCAG Guidelines – The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the global standard for accessibility. Aim to meet at least WCAG 2.1 AA compliance.

  3. Make Quick Fixes – Adding alt text to images, ensuring proper color contrast, and making your site keyboard-friendly are simple but powerful steps.

  4. Get Expert Help – If you’re not sure where to start, work with a web accessibility company that can bring your site up to standard.


Final Thought

Amy’s story is a cautionary tale: even when you win, you can lose—time, energy, and money. But it’s also a reminder that accessibility is more than just a box to check to avoid lawsuits. It’s about making your business more welcoming, more resilient, and more future-proof.

By investing in accessibility now, you not only lower your legal risk—you open your doors wider to the community you serve.


Here are leading web accessibility tools and organizations: 


  1. Level Access- https://www.levelaccess.com/

  2. Deque Systems (axe Suite)- https://www.deque.com/

  3. WebAIM – WAVE Evaluation Tool- https://wave.webaim.org 

  4. AccessiBe- https://accessibe.com/

 
 
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