This video covers what happens after an ADA website lawsuit is filed, walking through the typical stages of the process and what organizations can expect at each step.
Once a lawsuit is filed under ADA Title III, the defendant receives a complaint alleging their website is not accessible to people with disabilities. The complaint typically references specific accessibility issues a plaintiff encountered. From there, the organization must respond within a set timeframe or risk a default judgment.
Most ADA website lawsuits settle before reaching trial. Settlement terms usually include a commitment to remediate the website to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA conformance, along with a monetary payment. Some settlements also require periodic reporting or evaluations to confirm ongoing conformance.
After settlement or judgment, the real work begins. Organizations typically engage accessibility professionals to conduct an evaluation, which identifies the specific issues across the site. From there, a remediation plan is developed and executed, followed by ongoing monitoring to maintain conformance over time.
The process from filing to resolution can take months to over a year depending on how quickly parties negotiate. Organizations that already have accessibility programs in place tend to move through the process faster and with lower overall costs.