Access to businesses, services and websites
Access for everyone
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires businesses that are open to the public, such as stores, restaurants, hotels, medical offices and theaters, to be accessible to people with disabilities. Courts in New York have applied these duties to websites and apps connected to those businesses, and the New York State and City Human Rights Laws add their own protections.
Common barriers
- Websites and apps that cannot be used with a screen reader or keyboard
- Missing captions, unlabeled buttons and inaccessible checkout or booking pages
- Entrances with steps and no ramp, narrow aisles, and inaccessible restrooms
- Refusing service animals or reasonable changes to policies
What a case can achieve
Under Title III of the ADA, a court can order the business to fix the barriers and pay attorney's fees. Money damages are not available under Title III itself, but the New York State and City Human Rights Laws allow compensatory damages in many cases.
Frequently asked questions
Does the ADA cover websites?
Courts in New York have held that websites and apps connected to businesses open to the public must be accessible. The law continues to develop, so each case needs review.
Can I get money for an ADA violation?
Not under Title III of the ADA alone, which provides for fixes and attorney's fees. New York State and City law often allows damages as well.