who needs a web accessibility audit?

If Your Organization Has a Website, This Applies to You

Web accessibility requirements don't apply only to large corporations or government agencies. Any organization with a public-facing website has a responsibility — and increasingly, a legal obligation — to ensure that the site is usable by people with disabilities.

That said, the urgency and specific obligations vary depending on your organization's type. Here's a straightforward look at who this applies to and why.

Small Businesses

You built your website to attract customers, generate leads, and support your business. If a portion of your visitors can't navigate it, complete a form, or read your content, you're losing business — and potentially exposing yourself to legal risk.

ADA Title III covers businesses that serve the public. Federal courts have applied this to websites, and demand letters and lawsuits targeting small business websites have increased steadily. Most of these cases involve straightforward accessibility failures that could have been resolved for a fraction of the cost of litigation.

A professional accessibility audit gives you a clear picture of where your site stands and what needs to be addressed. It's a practical, proactive step — not a guarantee of perfection, but a meaningful demonstration of good-faith effort toward compliance.

Common issues we find on small business websites: missing image alt text, unlabeled contact forms, poor color contrast, and PDF menus or documents that aren't accessible.

Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofits serve everyone in their communities — including people with disabilities. If your mission is centered on inclusion, equity, or community service, your website should reflect those values.

Many nonprofits receive federal or state funding, which can trigger specific accessibility requirements under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or, for government grantees, Section 508. Even without those requirements, donors, board members, and the communities you serve increasingly expect digital accessibility as a baseline.

We offer reduced-rate audits for verified 501(c)(3) organizations because we understand that nonprofit budgets require careful stewardship. Accessibility shouldn't be out of reach for organizations doing important work.

Common issues we find on nonprofit websites: event flyers posted as images (with text that can't be read by assistive technology), inaccessible donation forms, and video content without captions.

Government Agencies and Municipalities

State and local government entities are subject to clear and enforceable federal requirements. The Department of Justice's 2024 final rule under ADA Title II mandates that state and local government websites conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Deadlines vary based on population size, but the requirement is not optional.

Cities, counties, school districts, special districts, and other public entities need to understand where their websites currently stand, what remediation is needed, and how to maintain conformance over time. An audit report provides the documentation and roadmap to meet that requirement.

We have specific experience with the types of websites common in local government — including sites for parks and recreation, public utilities, planning and zoning, and municipal court — and understand the platform constraints these organizations often work within.

Common issues we find on government websites: PDFs that aren't tagged for screen readers, inaccessible online forms, poor keyboard navigation, and pages that don't meet color contrast requirements.

Schools and Educational Institutions

K-12 schools, community colleges, and educational nonprofits that receive federal funding are subject to both Section 504 and, in many cases, Section 508 requirements. Beyond compliance, schools have a particular responsibility to ensure students, parents, and community members with disabilities can access information.

Professional Service Firms

Attorneys, accountants, healthcare providers, financial advisors, and other professionals often assume their websites are too simple to have accessibility issues. In practice, even a basic five-page website can have multiple failures — and professional liability adds an additional layer of consideration for firms in regulated industries.

Not sure which category fits your organization? Contact us, and we'll help you understand your situation — no sales pitch, just straight information.