10 Essential Website Accessibility Requirements for Small Business Success
Website accessibility requirements are no longer optional—they’re legally required and essential for digital marketing success. If you’re a small business owner, ensuring your website is accessible to everyone—including users with disabilities—is a must for reaching wider audiences, avoiding costly lawsuits, and strengthening your brand’s online presence.
In this guide, we’ll break down the top 10 website accessibility requirements your small business must follow to comply with ADA, WCAG, and state-specific laws like California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act.
📌 Table of Contents
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What Are Website Accessibility Requirements?
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Why Accessibility Matters for Small Businesses
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ADA Compliance
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WCAG Standards
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Section 508 for Government Contractors
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California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act
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New York Accessibility Laws
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How to Audit Your Website
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Benefits Beyond Legal Compliance
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Work With Experts to Meet Website Accessibility Requirements
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1. What Are Website Accessibility Requirements?
Website accessibility requirements are a set of legal and technical standards that ensure people with disabilities can fully access and interact with your website. These include:
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Text alternatives for non-text content (like images and videos)
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Keyboard-only navigation
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Readable fonts and strong color contrast
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Semantic HTML and screen reader compatibility
Your site must accommodate screen readers, voice navigation, and other assistive technologies. If it doesn’t, your business risks being non-compliant with federal and state laws.
2. Why Accessibility Matters for Small Businesses
Meeting website accessibility requirements is not just a legal obligation—it’s a strategic advantage. Over 1 billion people globally live with a disability, representing a massive market. By ignoring accessibility, you’re unintentionally excluding up to 20% of your potential audience.
Plus, accessible websites rank better on Google. Improved navigation, mobile usability, and faster load times all contribute to better SEO performance.
3. ADA Compliance
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to both physical and digital spaces. In 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that business websites are considered “places of public accommodation,” making website accessibility requirements a legal necessity for any organization that sells goods or services online.
Failing to comply with ADA requirements can result in lawsuits, legal fees, and brand damage. In 2023 alone, over 4,500 digital accessibility lawsuits were filed in the U.S.
👉 The ADA’s guidelines are reinforced by federal resources such as the ADA National Network, which provides comprehensive information on compliance and best practices
4. WCAG Standards
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the gold standard for meeting ADA and global accessibility requirements. The latest version, WCAG 2.2, focuses on four core principles:
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Perceivable: Content must be available to all senses
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Operable: Users must be able to navigate and interact
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Understandable: Information and operation must be clear
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Robust: Content must work with assistive tech
Meeting WCAG success criteria—such as text alternatives, color contrast, and logical structure—is crucial for legal compliance and usability. For detailed technical standards, visit the official W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to ensure your website meets accessibility requirements.
5. Section 508 for Government Contractors
If your small business serves federal agencies or works as a subcontractor, your website must meet Section 508 standards. These laws apply to digital platforms funded or used by federal entities.
Section 508 directly aligns with WCAG, so following WCAG 2.2 will help you stay compliant with both regulations. To understand government accessibility requirements, the Section 508 website offers key information and helpful tools for vendors and contractors
6. California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act
Even if your business isn’t based in California, targeting or selling to California residents means you must follow the Unruh Civil Rights Act. This law enforces strict website accessibility requirements and opens the door to civil lawsuits for non-compliance.
💡 One accessibility complaint from a California resident can cost your business thousands. Stay protected by designing with accessibility from the beginning.
7. New York Accessibility Laws
New York also enforces accessibility compliance for digital platforms. If your website offers services, products, or information to New York residents, you must meet WCAG standards to avoid penalties.
8. How to Audit Your Website
You can begin by using free tools like:
While automated scanners are helpful, they don’t catch everything. For full compliance, a manual audit by accessibility professionals is highly recommended.
9. Benefits Beyond Legal Compliance
Accessible websites are easier to navigate, faster to load, and offer better user experiences for everyone—including:
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Older adults
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Mobile users
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People with temporary injuries
Accessibility also boosts your:
✅ SEO rankings
✅ Customer loyalty
✅ Conversion rates
✅ Brand reputation
10. Work With Experts to Meet Website Accessibility Requirements
At Saltech Systems, we specialize in small business web design that fully complies with all website accessibility requirements.
Our accessibility services include:
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Website accessibility audits
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WCAG-compliant development
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ADA and Section 508 remediation
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Ongoing monitoring and updates
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Integration with your digital marketing strategy
We’ll help you build a site that’s legally compliant, beautifully designed, and user-friendly for all.
Ready to Get Compliant?
Protect your business from legal risk and open your digital doors to everyone. Contact Saltech Systems today to schedule a free consultation and meet your website accessibility requirements.