If you’ve heard about businesses being sued because their website isn’t accessible, you’re not imagining things.
Across California and the United States, businesses have increasingly received ADA website demand letters and lawsuits alleging that their websites are not provide equal access to individuals with disabilities. These claims have affected businesses of every size, including dental offices, medical practices, restaurants, retailers, contractors, law firms, and other local service businesses.
Recently, a client came to us after with concern about their website accessibility. Their website had been built on Wix, and after speaking with several web designers, they were told the only solution was to rebuild the entire site.
Their first question was simple:
“Can we just fix our existing website?”
The answer wasn’t a simple yes or no.
It depends on how the website was built, what accessibility issues exist, and whether the current platform can reasonably support the necessary improvements. While some websites benefit from a fresh start, many can be significantly improved without a complete rebuild.
Why Website Accessibility Matters
Website accessibility means designing and developing websites so people with disabilities can successfully access and use your website.
This includes visitors who:
- Use screen readers because they are blind or have low vision.
- Cannot use a mouse and rely on a keyboard.
- Have hearing impairments.
- Have cognitive or motor disabilities that affect how they navigate the web.
Making a website accessible isn’t only about reducing legal risk.
It’s about ensuring everyone has equal access to your products, services, and information. Accessible websites are also typically easier for everyone to use, with clearer navigation, better organization, and more intuitive layouts.
Many accessibility best practices also improve search engine optimization (SEO). Proper heading structure, descriptive links, image alternative text, semantic HTML, and a logical content hierarchy all help search engines better understand your website.
What Are the Current 2026 ADA Standards for Websites?
One of the most common misconceptions is that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) contains a technical checklist for websites.
It doesn’t.
Instead, courts, government agencies, and accessibility professionals generally look to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as the accepted technical standard for website accessibility.
Today, most organizations work toward meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA, while many newly developed websites are also incorporating the newer WCAG 2.2 Level AA recommendations.
These guidelines cover areas such as:
- Color contrast
- Keyboard navigation
- Alternative text for images
- Proper heading hierarchy
- Accessible forms
- Descriptive links
- Visible keyboard focus
- Responsive layouts
- Accessible error messages
- Captions or transcripts for multimedia where appropriate
Accessibility is much more than adding an accessibility toolbar or allowing visitors to enlarge the text. It involves the overall design, structure, code, and usability of the website.
Can You Improve an Existing Website Instead of Rebuilding It?
Often, yes.
Many accessibility issues can be corrected without rebuilding an entire website.
Common improvements include:
- Adding missing alternative text to images
- Correcting heading structure
- Improving color contrast
- Making forms more accessible
- Improving keyboard navigation
- Updating button labels
- Making links more descriptive
- Improving page structure and semantic HTML
- Correcting ARIA attributes where appropriate
However, every website is different.
Some older websites have structural limitations, outdated code, or platform restrictions that make accessibility improvements difficult or expensive. In those cases, rebuilding may actually be the more practical long-term investment.
The key is evaluating the website before deciding on the solution.
Can Wix Websites Be Made More Accessible?
This was exactly the question our client asked.
The answer was yes—to a point.
Wix has made significant improvements to its accessibility features over the past several years, and many accessibility issues can be addressed within the platform.
However, accessibility is only one factor.
If a website also needs improvements in SEO, page speed, content management, scalability, custom functionality, or long-term maintainability, rebuilding on a more flexible platform may provide greater value than continuing to invest in an older website.
That doesn’t mean every Wix website should be replaced.
Each website should be evaluated on its own merits instead of assuming a rebuild is automatically necessary.
Why We Often Recommend WordPress
When rebuilding is the right decision, we frequently recommend WordPress because it offers significantly more flexibility than many website builders.
Using WordPress with Elementor allows developers to create websites with accessibility in mind from the beginning by providing greater control over:
- Semantic page structure
- Keyboard navigation
- Accessible menus
- Heading hierarchy
- Responsive layouts
- Search engine optimization
- Future accessibility improvements
Just as importantly, WordPress gives developers access to the underlying code when accessibility issues need to be addressed or when new accessibility standards emerge.
Should You Install an Accessibility Plugin?
Accessibility plugins are often misunderstood.
They are not a substitute for an accessible website.
However, many accessibility plugins provide useful features such as:
- Text resizing
- Contrast adjustments
- Keyboard enhancements
- Reading guides
- Focus indicators
- Accessibility statements
- Automated accessibility scanning
These tools can improve the user experience and help identify potential issues.
While no plugin can make every website fully accessible on its own, using one as part of a broader accessibility strategy can demonstrate an ongoing commitment to improving accessibility. It should complement—not replace—thoughtful design, quality development, regular testing, and ongoing maintenance.
Accessibility Is an Ongoing Process
One of the biggest misconceptions is that accessibility is something you complete once and never revisit.
In reality, websites constantly change.
New pages are added.
Images are replaced.
Videos are uploaded.
Content is updated.
Plugins change.
Each update has the potential to introduce new accessibility issues.
For that reason, accessibility should become part of your regular website maintenance process rather than a one-time project.
Does an Accessible Website Guarantee You Won’t Receive a Demand Letter?
No.
No web designer, developer, consultant, plugin, or automated scanning tool can guarantee that a website is completely protected from accessibility-related claims.
Website accessibility is an ongoing process. Standards evolve, websites change, and accessibility involves both automated testing and human evaluation.
However, taking accessibility seriously is still one of the best steps a business can take.
Building your website using current WCAG best practices, regularly reviewing accessibility, correcting known issues, and maintaining your website over time demonstrates a genuine commitment to improving accessibility for all users.
Accessibility shouldn’t be viewed only as a legal concern. It is also part of providing excellent customer service and creating a better online experience for everyone.
What Should You Do If You Receive an ADA Website Demand Letter?
If you’ve received a website accessibility demand letter, don’t panic—but don’t ignore it either.
It’s generally a good idea to consult with an attorney familiar with website accessibility matters while also having your website professionally evaluated. In many cases, accessibility improvements can begin immediately while you determine the best long-term approach for your business.
Sometimes targeted improvements are enough.
Sometimes rebuilding makes better financial sense.
The important thing is making an informed decision based on the condition of your existing website rather than assuming every website requires a complete rebuild.
Evaluating Your Website’s Accessibility
If you’re wondering whether your website meets current accessibility recommendations, the best place to start is with an accessibility evaluation.
Every website is different. Some can be improved through targeted updates, while others have structural limitations that make a redesign the more practical long-term solution. The right approach depends on how the website was built, the platform it’s using, and your future goals.
If you’re unsure where your website stands, consider having it reviewed by an experienced web developer who understands both website accessibility and modern web development. A professional evaluation can help identify potential issues, prioritize improvements, and determine whether updates to your existing website are sufficient or whether rebuilding is likely to be the better investment.
The goal isn’t simply to check a compliance box—it’s to create a website that’s more usable, more inclusive, and easier for everyone to access.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is ADA website compliance?
ADA website compliance refers to making a website accessible to people with disabilities. While the ADA itself does not provide technical website standards, courts and accessibility professionals commonly reference the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) when evaluating website accessibility.
What is the current WCAG standard?
Most organizations currently work toward WCAG 2.1 Level AA, while many newly developed websites are also incorporating WCAG 2.2 Level AA recommendations.
Does every business website have to comply with the ADA?
The law continues to evolve, but many courts have found that businesses serving the public should make their websites accessible. Following WCAG best practices is widely considered the industry standard for improving accessibility.
Can I make my existing website ADA compliant?
In many cases, yes. Accessibility issues can often be corrected without rebuilding the entire website. Whether updates are sufficient depends on the website’s structure, platform, and existing code.
Can a Wix website be made accessible?
Yes. Wix has improved its accessibility capabilities significantly in recent years, and many accessibility issues can be addressed within the platform. Whether rebuilding is necessary depends on the overall condition and goals of the website.
Is WordPress better than Wix for accessibility?
Neither platform automatically creates an accessible website. However, WordPress provides developers with greater flexibility and control over the website’s structure and code, making it easier to implement accessibility best practices and future improvements.
Will an accessibility plugin make my website ADA compliant?
No. Accessibility plugins can provide useful tools and identify certain issues, but they cannot make a website fully accessible on their own. They work best as one part of a broader accessibility strategy.
Can website accessibility improve SEO?
Yes. Many accessibility best practices also support search engine optimization. Proper heading structure, semantic HTML, descriptive links, image alternative text, responsive design, and improved usability can all benefit both accessibility and SEO.
Can AI search engines benefit from accessible websites?
Potentially. AI-powered search experiences rely on well-structured, clearly organized content. Websites that follow accessibility best practices often have cleaner HTML, logical heading structures, descriptive content, and semantic markup, which can make information easier for both search engines and AI systems to understand.
How often should a website be tested for accessibility?
Accessibility should be reviewed after significant website updates and periodically as part of ongoing maintenance. Regular evaluations help identify new issues before they become larger problems.
What should I do if I receive an ADA website demand letter?
Don’t ignore it. Consider consulting an attorney familiar with accessibility matters while also having your website professionally evaluated. Understanding the condition of your website is an important first step in determining the most appropriate response.
Is accessibility a one-time project?
No. Accessibility is an ongoing process. As websites evolve through new content, design changes, and software updates, accessibility should continue to be reviewed and maintained over time.
Author’s Note: This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. We are web developers, not attorneys. If you have received an ADA website demand letter or have legal questions regarding website accessibility, we recommend consulting with an attorney experienced in accessibility law while also having your website professionally evaluated.