5 Accessibility Issues That Get Small Businesses Sued
Over 5,000 ADA web accessibility lawsuits were filed last year. Most targeted small businesses for the same handful of easily fixable issues. Here's what to check on your site today.
1. Missing Image Alt Text
Why it matters: Screen readers can't describe images without alt text. If a blind user can't understand your product photos, that's a clear violation.
The fix: Add descriptive alt text to every meaningful image. For decorative images, use an empty alt attribute (alt="").
❌ Bad:
<img src="product.jpg">
✓ Good:
<img src="product.jpg" alt="Blue cotton t-shirt, front view">
2. Low Color Contrast
Why it matters: Users with low vision can't read light gray text on white backgrounds. WCAG requires a 4.5:1 contrast ratio for normal text.
The fix: Test your text colors against backgrounds. Tools like WebAIM's contrast checker can help. The fix is usually just darkening your grays.
Common culprits: Placeholder text, footer links, disabled buttons, captions.
3. Inaccessible Forms
Why it matters: If a screen reader user can't fill out your contact form or checkout, they can't do business with you. That's discriminatory.
Common problems:
- Input fields without labels (using placeholder text instead)
- Error messages that aren't announced to screen readers
- Dropdowns that can't be navigated with keyboard
- Submit buttons without descriptive text
❌ Bad:
<input placeholder="Email">
✓ Good:
<label for="email">Email</label>
<input id="email" type="email">
4. Keyboard Navigation Broken
Why it matters: Many users can't use a mouse—they navigate entirely with Tab, Enter, and arrow keys. If your site traps keyboard focus or makes buttons unreachable, that's a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Quick test: Try navigating your entire site using only your keyboard. Can you reach every link and button? Can you tell which element is focused?
Common problems:
- Custom dropdowns and modals that trap focus
- Missing focus indicators (the outline when you Tab)
- Skip links that don't work
- Infinite scroll that keyboard users can't escape
5. Videos Without Captions
Why it matters: Deaf users can't understand video content without captions. If you have product videos, tutorials, or promotional content, they need captions.
The fix: Add closed captions to all videos. YouTube and Vimeo have auto-caption features—review them for accuracy. For important videos, professional captioning services cost $1-3 per minute.
Warning: These are the easy targets
Plaintiff lawyers use automated scanners to find these exact issues. If your site has missing alt text or form labels, you're a target. Fix these before they find you.
How to Check Your Site
- Run a free scan: AccessGuard checks for all these issues and more in 30 seconds. You'll get a risk score and prioritized fix list.
- Do a keyboard test: Unplug your mouse and navigate your site. Note anywhere you get stuck.
- Check your forms: Right-click → Inspect on each input field. Does it have a
<label>element connected to it? - Review images: Check that product images and important graphics have meaningful alt text.
See which issues your site has
Get your free accessibility scan in 30 seconds. No signup required.
Scan Your Site FreeThe Bottom Line
The same five issues cause the majority of accessibility lawsuits. They're all fixable, often in a few hours. The businesses that get sued are the ones who don't know they have problems.
Scan your site, fix what you find, and document your efforts. It's the difference between a $50 fix and a $50,000 lawsuit.