Your Digital Accessibility Rights
Everyone has the right to access websites and digital services. Learn about your rights and how to advocate for accessibility.
Your Rights Under the Law
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
What it protects:
The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life, including websites and digital services.
What this means for you:
- Businesses and organizations must provide equal access to their digital services
- Websites must be accessible to people using assistive technologies
- Online services cannot deny access based on disability
- Reasonable accommodations must be provided when requested
Covered entities:
- Public accommodations (stores, hotels, restaurants, etc.)
- Commercial facilities
- State and local governments
Section 508
What it protects:
Section 508 requires federal agencies and their contractors to make electronic and information technology accessible.
What this means for you:
- Federal government websites must be accessible
- Federal services and applications must work with assistive technologies
- Government documents must be available in accessible formats
- Contractors providing services to the government must meet these standards
Who it applies to:
- All federal agencies
- Federal contractors and vendors
- Recipients of federal funding in some cases
Common Accessibility Barriers
You may encounter these accessibility barriers when using websites and digital services:
For People with Visual Disabilities
- Images without alt text
- Poor color contrast
- Text that can't be enlarged
- Non-accessible PDFs
- Videos without audio descriptions
- Incompatible with screen readers
For People with Hearing Disabilities
- Videos without captions
- Audio content without transcripts
- Live audio without real-time captioning
- Alerts that are audio-only
- Phone-only contact methods
For People with Motor Disabilities
- No keyboard navigation support
- Time limits on forms or sessions
- Small click targets
- Complex gestures required
- Inability to skip repetitive content
For People with Cognitive Disabilities
- Complex or confusing navigation
- Unclear instructions
- Distracting animations or auto-play content
- Inconsistent layouts
- Unclear error messages
What You Can Do When You Encounter Barriers
Step 1: Contact the Organization
Start by reaching out to the website or service provider directly:
- Look for an accessibility contact email or feedback form
- Explain the specific barrier you encountered
- Request reasonable accommodation or alternative access
- Be specific about the issue and how it affects you
"I use a screen reader and cannot access [specific feature/page] on your website because [describe issue]. This prevents me from [describe what you're trying to do]. Can you please provide an accessible alternative or fix this issue?"
Step 2: Document the Issue
Keep records of accessibility barriers and your attempts to resolve them:
- Take screenshots or screen recordings if possible
- Note the date, time, and specific pages affected
- Save copies of correspondence with the organization
- Document any workarounds you attempted
Step 3: Report to Web Standards Commission
File a report with us to help track accessibility issues and advocate for change:
- Submit a detailed report of the accessibility barrier
- Include information about the organization and website
- Describe the impact on your ability to access the service
- We'll use this information to promote accessibility awareness
Step 4: Know Your Legal Options
If accessibility barriers persist and reasonable accommodations are not provided, you may have legal recourse:
File a Complaint with Government Agencies:
- Department of Justice (DOJ): For ADA violations
Website: ada.gov/filing_complaint.htm - Office for Civil Rights (OCR): For Section 508 violations by federal agencies
Website: hhs.gov/ocr/complaints
Consult with Legal Counsel:
For persistent discrimination, consider consulting with an attorney who specializes in disability rights and ADA compliance.
Requesting Reasonable Accommodations
Under the ADA, you have the right to request reasonable accommodations when digital content is inaccessible:
Examples of Reasonable Accommodations:
- Accessible PDF versions of documents
- Alternative phone or email support for online-only services
- Assistance with completing online forms
- Extended time for time-sensitive processes
- Alternative formats for multimedia content (captions, transcripts, audio descriptions)
What "Reasonable" Means:
Accommodations must be effective but don't need to fundamentally alter the service or cause undue burden. Organizations must engage in an interactive process to find suitable solutions.
Your Rights During the Process:
- Right to request specific accommodations
- Right to timely response and resolution
- Right to appeal if request is denied
- Protection from retaliation for requesting accommodations
Additional Resources
Government Resources
- ADA.gov - ADA information and resources
ada.gov - Section508.gov - Section 508 compliance resources
section508.gov - U.S. Access Board - Accessibility guidelines
access-board.gov
Take Action
Encountered an inaccessible website? Report it and help improve digital accessibility for everyone.