For your nonprofit, accessibility isn’t just about meeting a legal obligation. It’s part of your mission.

Your website is often the first door people open to connect with your organization. If that door is locked to people with disabilities, you risk excluding members of the community you’re trying to serve.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures equitable access to government services, public accommodations and telecommunications for individuals with disabilities. With the rise of digital engagement, more websites are considered “places of public accommodation” under the ADA, which means your nonprofit’s online presence should be as accessible as your brick-and-mortar facilities.

Having an ADA-compliant website is crucial for your nonprofit to ensure inclusivity, avoid legal issues and provide your visitors with a better experience. By making your site accessible, you’re staying true to your organization’s values, while opening the door to a wider audience, potentially increasing both donations and volunteer support.

What ADA Compliance Means for Nonprofits

ADA compliance ensures people with disabilities can access and interact with your website on equal terms. That might mean:

• Screen reader–friendly text for blind or low-vision users
• Keyboard navigation for people who can’t use a mouse
• Alternative text (alt text) for images
• Captions or transcripts for videos and audio

For nonprofits, the benefits go beyond meeting legal expectations:

• Mission alignment – Accessibility reflects your values of inclusion and equity.
• Community reach – You welcome more supporters, volunteers, and participants.
• Trust and reputation – Demonstrating accessibility shows you care about all stakeholders.
• Risk reduction – You avoid potential lawsuits, penalties, or costly retrofits.

Does Every Nonprofit Website Have to Be ADA-Compliant?

If your nonprofit receives government funding, offers essential services or provides public programs, you may be legally required to make sure your site meets ADA standards.

Nonprofits are primarily governed by Title III of the ADA, as well as Section 504 and/or 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which align with ADA accessibility requirements.

Websites likely to fall under ADA compliance requirements include:

• Government-funded programs
• Healthcare, education, or housing service providers
• Job application portals
• Nonprofits with public-facing facilities
• Any organization serving people with disabilities

Even if it’s not strictly mandated for your organization, following accessibility best practices is strongly recommended. It’s good both ethically and strategically.

To ensure compliance, nonprofits should adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA, which is the current standard for accessibility under the ADA.

Can a Nonprofit Be Sued for Noncompliance?

Yes. Courts are increasingly interpreting the ADA to apply to websites, and nonprofit organizations aren’t exempt from accessibility standards. Girl Scouts of America was recently named in a class-action lawsuit alleging that its online cookie sales portals aren’t accessible to blind and low-vision users.

A lawsuit might drain your resources and damage the public trust you’ve built. Proactive compliance helps you avoid those risks while showing your community you value accessibility.

Steps to Make Your Nonprofit Website ADA-Compliant

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the gold standard for digital accessibility. Most organizations aim for Level AA compliance, which addresses the most common accessibility barriers.

Key steps to get started:

1. Add alt text to all images so screen readers can describe them.
2. Ensure the color contrast between text and background is high enough to make written content easily readable.
3. Enable keyboard navigation for those who cannot use a mouse.
4. Provide captions or transcripts for all videos and audio.
5. Use descriptive link text (e.g., “Download our annual report” instead of “Click here”).
6. Make forms accessible with clear labels and instructions.
7. Use ARIA landmarks so assistive technologies can understand page structure.

Accessibility Auditing & Monitoring with MadAveCollective

We make ADA compliance simple for nonprofits. Our complimentary website review will identify where your site falls short. Then, we’ll guide you through practical, mission-friendly updates that meet WCAG guidelines.

Accessibility isn’t a one-time fix. It’s an ongoing commitment. So, we also offer ongoing monitoring to keep your website compliant as you grow and add new content.

Let’s make sure your mission is open to everyone. Email us or call 419-725-6500 to get started.