This quick-read guide explains the most common accessibility issues that appear in legal complaints - and how to fix them. Learn how to address missing alt text, broken keyboard navigation, poor contrast ratios, and other frequent causes of lawsuits. Use this resource to stay compliant, protect your business, and create a more inclusive online experience for all users.
What's in this guide
A plain-English summary of the most common website accessibility lawsuits in Australia and the US, the web standards they're based on (WCAG 2.1), and the practical steps businesses can take to reduce legal exposure. Not legal advice - a starting point for understanding your obligations.
Why accessibility lawsuits are increasing
Website accessibility litigation has grown significantly since 2017 - primarily in the US under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but increasingly in Australia under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Courts have consistently held that websites are "places of public accommodation" subject to accessibility requirements. The most common targets are ecommerce sites, hospitality businesses, and financial services.
The majority of lawsuits involve the same handful of issues: images without alt text, videos without captions, forms without labels, and insufficient colour contrast. These are all fixable - and most can be addressed without a full redesign.
The five accessibility fixes with the highest legal risk reduction
(1) Add descriptive alt text to all images. (2) Ensure all form fields have visible labels. (3) Check colour contrast ratios meet the WCAG 4.5:1 minimum for normal text. (4) Make sure all interactive elements (buttons, links) are keyboard-navigable. (5) Add captions to any video content. These five changes address the most frequently litigated issues and are achievable without specialist development work.
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