As a locally trusted business serving Gainesville and surrounding Florida communities, Jackson Stoneworks believes accessibility matters — not just in homes and kitchens, but online as well. With an increasing number of ADA website compliance lawsuits across Florida, many Gainesville businesses are asking the same questions:
What does ADA compliance mean for websites, and how can we avoid legal issues?
This guide breaks it down clearly and provides a practical checklist every local business owner should understand.
What Is ADA Website Compliance?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination. While the ADA was passed before websites became common, courts now widely interpret it to apply to business websites that offer goods or services to the public.
In simple terms, if your business has a website and serves the public, your website should be accessible to users with disabilities, including people who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, captions, or other assistive technologies.
Most courts and legal settlements use WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.1 Level AA as the standard for determining whether a website is accessible.
Why ADA Website Compliance Matters in Gainesville
Gainesville is not immune to ADA-related lawsuits. In fact, Florida is one of the most active states in the country for ADA website claims, and local businesses — including restaurants, retailers, service providers, and home improvement companies — have been named in lawsuits for inaccessible websites.
Many of these cases stem from:
- Missing image alt text
- Inaccessible forms
- Poor color contrast
- Websites that can’t be navigated without a mouse
The cost of ignoring accessibility can include:
- Legal fees
- Settlement costs
- Mandatory remediation under tight deadlines
- Damage to your brand reputation
Being proactive is significantly less expensive — and far better for your customers.
ADA Website Compliance Checklist for Gainesville Businesses
Below is a practical checklist aligned with WCAG 2.1 Level AA, the most widely accepted accessibility standard.
1. Website Navigation
- Your website can be fully navigated using only a keyboard
- Menus, buttons, and links are accessible without a mouse
- Navigation is consistent across all pages
2. Text & Readability
- Text can be resized up to 200% without breaking the layout
- Fonts are easy to read and not overly decorative
- Text is not embedded inside images when it contains important information
3. Color & Contrast
- Text meets contrast standards (4.5:1 for normal text)
- Important information is not communicated by color alone
- Buttons and links are visually distinguishable
4. Images & Media
- All meaningful images include descriptive alt text
- Decorative images are marked properly
- Videos include captions
- Audio content includes transcripts
5. Headings & Page Structure
- Pages use proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3)
- Content is structured logically for screen readers
- Lists and sections use proper HTML formatting
6. Links & Buttons
- Links describe where they go (avoid “click here”)
- Buttons are clearly labeled (e.g., “Schedule a Consultation”)
- Focus indicators are visible when tabbing through content
7. Forms & Contact Pages
- Every form field has a label
- Required fields are clearly identified
- Error messages are easy to understand and accessible
- Forms can be completed using a keyboard
8. PDFs & Downloadable Files
- PDFs are accessible and searchable
- Important information is also available as web text
- Scanned image-only PDFs are avoided
9. Mobile Accessibility
- Website works properly on mobile devices
- Buttons and links are large enough to tap
- Mobile menus are accessible to screen readers
10. Accessibility Statement
- An accessibility statement is published on your website
- It explains your commitment to accessibility
- It provides a way for users to report issues
ADA Compliance Is an Ongoing Process
Website accessibility is not a one-time fix. Every time content is added, images are uploaded, or pages are redesigned, accessibility should be reviewed. Courts often look more favorably on businesses that can show a good-faith effort to maintain accessibility over time.
At Jackson Stoneworks, we work with professional partners who understand the importance of compliance, usability, and long-term maintenance — both in physical spaces and digital ones.
How This Benefits Your Business
Beyond legal protection, an accessible website:
- Reaches more customers
- Improves user experience for everyone
- Supports SEO and search visibility
- Reflects professionalism and inclusivity
Accessibility isn’t just about compliance — it’s about serving your entire community.
Serving Gainesville With Integrity — Online and Off
Jackson Stoneworks proudly serves Gainesville and surrounding Florida counties, helping homeowners design beautiful, functional spaces. We believe the same attention to detail that goes into our stonework should also apply to how businesses present themselves online.
If you’re a Gainesville business owner unsure whether your website meets ADA standards, now is the right time to take action.
