Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Title III of the ADA (public accommodations) has no small-business exemption. Any business open to the public must comply, regardless of size. Title I (employment) kicks in at 15 or more employees.
No. The ADA has no certification program. A consultant can inspect your property, document it against the 2010 ADA Standards, and produce a report showing what is and is not compliant — but no one can "certify" a site. Be wary of consultants who promise certification.
The ADA is a federal law. WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is a technical standard published by the W3C. DOJ guidance and most court rulings point to WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the benchmark for website compliance under Title III, even though the ADA text predates modern web standards.
Settlements for website accessibility demand letters commonly range from $5,000 to $25,000 plus attorneys' fees. Full litigation can run into six figures. Proactive compliance is almost always cheaper. See the cost guide.
For existing buildings (built before the ADA), Title III requires removing architectural barriers only when "readily achievable" — easily accomplishable without much difficulty or expense. For new construction and alterations, the bar is much higher: full compliance with the 2010 ADA Standards.
No — only reasonable ones. You are not required to fundamentally alter your goods, services, or programs; create a direct threat to safety; or accept an undue burden. You do have to engage in a good-faith interactive process to find a workable accommodation.
Service dogs (and in some cases miniature horses) trained to do work for a person with a disability must be allowed in nearly all public accommodations. Emotional support animals are not service animals under the ADA — they are covered by the Fair Housing Act and the Air Carrier Access Act instead.
Earn the CIAC — Certified Independent ADA Consultant — through ADAConsultant.org. The 6-module core course, capstone, and full document library live there. Once credentialed, you appear on the public CIAC directory here on .com where businesses can find you.
The U.S. Department of Justice for Titles II and III, the EEOC for Title I (employment), and the FCC for Title IV (telecommunications). Private lawsuits under Title III do not require DOJ involvement.
Yes. IRS Section 44 (Disabled Access Credit) gives small businesses up to $5,000/yr back on eligible expenses. Section 190 lets larger businesses deduct up to $15,000/yr for barrier removal. Details on the cost guide.