WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY COMPLAINT

ADA Digital Accessibility Violation

PART I: COMPLAINT INFORMATION

Complaint Filing Date: _______________________

Filing Method:
☐ U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division
☐ Federal Court (Private Civil Action)
☐ State Court (State Law Claims)
☐ State Attorney General
☐ Agency Complaint (specify): _______________________

PART II: COMPLAINANT INFORMATION

Full Legal Name: _______________________

Street Address: _______________________

City: _______________________ State: _______ ZIP Code: ___________

Telephone Number: _______________________

Email Address: _______________________

Preferred Method of Contact:
☐ Telephone
☐ Email
☐ U.S. Mail

Assistive Technology Used (select all that apply):

☐ Screen Reader (specify software): _______________________
☐ Screen Magnification Software
☐ Voice Recognition Software
☐ Alternative Keyboard/Mouse
☐ Switch Device
☐ Braille Display
☐ Text-to-Speech Software
☐ Other: _______________________

Browser(s) Used: _______________________

Operating System: _______________________

PART III: RESPONDENT INFORMATION

Name of Business/Organization: _______________________

Business Type:
☐ Private Business (Title III Public Accommodation)
☐ State/Local Government Entity (Title II)
☐ Federal Agency (Section 508)
☐ E-commerce Website
☐ Healthcare Provider
☐ Financial Institution
☐ Educational Institution
☐ Other: _______________________

Business Physical Address: _______________________

City: _______________________ State: _______ ZIP Code: ___________

Website URL(s) at Issue:

Mobile Application(s) at Issue (if applicable):

Business Contact Information (if known):

Name: _______________________
Title: _______________________
Email: _______________________
Phone: _______________________

PART IV: COMPLAINANT'S DISABILITY

Nature of Disability Affecting Website Access:

☐ Visual Impairment (blindness, low vision, color blindness)
☐ Hearing Impairment (deafness, hard of hearing)
☐ Motor/Physical Disability (limited mobility, tremors)
☐ Cognitive Disability (learning disability, attention disorder)
☐ Neurological Disability (seizure disorder, vestibular disorder)
☐ Speech Disability
☐ Multiple Disabilities
☐ Other: _______________________

Specific Limitations Affecting Website Use:

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Assistive Technology Compatibility Issues:

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

PART V: WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY BARRIERS

Date(s) Website Access Attempted: _______________________

Purpose of Website Visit:
☐ Purchase goods/services
☐ Access account information
☐ Obtain information about services
☐ Submit application/form
☐ Make appointment/reservation
☐ Access educational content
☐ Other: _______________________

WCAG 2.1 Level AA Violations Identified:

Perceivable (Principle 1)

☐ 1.1.1 Non-text Content: Images lack alternative text (alt text)
☐ 1.2.1 Audio-only/Video-only: No text alternative for audio/video
☐ 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded): Videos lack captions
☐ 1.2.3 Audio Description: No audio description for video content
☐ 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded): Missing audio descriptions
☐ 1.3.1 Info and Relationships: Structure not programmatically determined
☐ 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence: Reading order not logical
☐ 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics: Instructions rely solely on sensory characteristics
☐ 1.3.4 Orientation: Content restricted to single display orientation
☐ 1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose: Input fields lack purpose identification
☐ 1.4.1 Use of Color: Information conveyed by color alone
☐ 1.4.2 Audio Control: Auto-playing audio cannot be controlled
☐ 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum): Insufficient color contrast (less than 4.5:1)
☐ 1.4.4 Resize Text: Text cannot be resized to 200% without loss
☐ 1.4.5 Images of Text: Text presented as images
☐ 1.4.10 Reflow: Content requires horizontal scrolling
☐ 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast: UI components lack sufficient contrast
☐ 1.4.12 Text Spacing: Content breaks when text spacing adjusted
☐ 1.4.13 Content on Hover/Focus: Hover content not dismissible

Operable (Principle 2)

☐ 2.1.1 Keyboard: Functionality not available via keyboard
☐ 2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap: Keyboard focus trapped in elements
☐ 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts: Single character shortcuts cause issues
☐ 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable: Time limits not adjustable
☐ 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide: Moving content cannot be paused
☐ 2.3.1 Three Flashes: Content flashes more than three times per second
☐ 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks: No skip navigation links
☐ 2.4.2 Page Titled: Pages lack descriptive titles
☐ 2.4.3 Focus Order: Focus order not logical
☐ 2.4.4 Link Purpose: Link text not descriptive
☐ 2.4.5 Multiple Ways: Only one way to navigate
☐ 2.4.6 Headings and Labels: Headings not descriptive
☐ 2.4.7 Focus Visible: Keyboard focus not visible
☐ 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures: Complex gestures required
☐ 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation: No mechanism to abort/undo
☐ 2.5.3 Label in Name: Visible labels don't match accessible names
☐ 2.5.4 Motion Actuation: Functions require device motion

Understandable (Principle 3)

☐ 3.1.1 Language of Page: Language not identified
☐ 3.1.2 Language of Parts: Language changes not identified
☐ 3.2.1 On Focus: Focus causes unexpected context change
☐ 3.2.2 On Input: Input causes unexpected context change
☐ 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation: Navigation not consistent
☐ 3.2.4 Consistent Identification: Components not consistently identified
☐ 3.3.1 Error Identification: Errors not identified/described
☐ 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions: Form fields lack labels
☐ 3.3.3 Error Suggestion: No error correction suggestions
☐ 3.3.4 Error Prevention: No review mechanism for submissions

Robust (Principle 4)

☐ 4.1.1 Parsing: HTML/CSS contains errors
☐ 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value: Custom controls lack proper attributes
☐ 4.1.3 Status Messages: Status messages not programmatically determined

PART VI: DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF BARRIERS

Provide specific descriptions of each accessibility barrier encountered:

Barrier 1:

Page/URL: _______________________

Element: _______________________

Description of Issue:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Impact on Access:
_____________________________________________________________________________

WCAG Criterion Violated: _______________________

Barrier 2:

Page/URL: _______________________

Element: _______________________

Description of Issue:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Impact on Access:
_____________________________________________________________________________

WCAG Criterion Violated: _______________________

Barrier 3:

Page/URL: _______________________

Element: _______________________

Description of Issue:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Impact on Access:
_____________________________________________________________________________

WCAG Criterion Violated: _______________________

(Add additional barriers as needed)

PART VII: SCREENSHOTS AND DOCUMENTATION

Evidence Collected:

☐ Screenshots of inaccessible content
☐ Screen recordings demonstrating barriers
☐ Automated accessibility audit reports (e.g., WAVE, axe, Lighthouse)
☐ Screen reader output transcripts
☐ Browser developer tools output
☐ VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) review
☐ Third-party accessibility evaluation
☐ Other: _______________________

List of Attached Exhibits:

PART VIII: PRIOR CONTACT WITH RESPONDENT

Have you contacted the business about these accessibility issues?
☐ No
☐ Yes

If yes, provide details:

Date of Contact: _______________________

Method of Contact:
☐ Email
☐ Phone
☐ Website feedback form
☐ Written letter
☐ Social media
☐ Other: _______________________

Person/Department Contacted: _______________________

Summary of Communication:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Response Received:
☐ No response
☐ Response received (attach if available)

Summary of Response:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

PART IX: HARM AND IMPACT

Describe how the website inaccessibility has affected you:

☐ Unable to complete purchase/transaction
☐ Unable to access essential services
☐ Unable to access account information
☐ Denied equal access to information
☐ Required assistance from others
☐ Forced to use alternative (less convenient) methods
☐ Emotional distress
☐ Time lost attempting to access website
☐ Financial harm (specify): _______________________
☐ Other: _______________________

Detailed Impact Statement:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

PART X: REQUESTED RELIEF

Remediation Requested:

☐ Full WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance
☐ WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance
☐ Specific barrier remediation (detailed above)
☐ Accessible mobile application
☐ Alternative accessible formats
☐ Accessibility statement posted on website
☐ Accessibility feedback mechanism
☐ Regular accessibility audits
☐ Staff training on digital accessibility
☐ Third-party accessibility monitoring
☐ Compensatory damages (where permitted by state law)
☐ Injunctive relief
☐ Attorney's fees and costs
☐ Other: _______________________

PART XI: CERTIFICATION

I certify under penalty of perjury that the information provided in this complaint is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. I personally experienced the accessibility barriers described in this complaint.

Signature: _______________________ Date: _______________________

Printed Name: _______________________

STATE-SPECIFIC NOTES

CALIFORNIA

• Unruh Civil Rights Act: Website accessibility violations may trigger Unruh Act claims with statutory minimum damages of $4,000 per violation.
• Leading Filing Jurisdiction: California is among the top three states for website accessibility lawsuits.
• State Attorney General Enforcement: California AG actively enforces digital accessibility requirements.
• CCPA Intersection: Consider overlap with California Consumer Privacy Act accessibility requirements.

TEXAS

• Texas Human Resources Code Chapter 121: Provides state-level disability protections.
• Growing Litigation: Texas has seen increasing website accessibility litigation.
• State Agency Requirements: Texas state agencies must comply with state accessibility standards.
• No State Monetary Damages: Primary remedies under state law are injunctive.

FLORIDA

• Florida Civil Rights Act: State anti-discrimination protections apply to digital accessibility.
• High Volume Filing Jurisdiction: Florida ranks among the top states for ADA website lawsuits (487 cases in H1 2025).
• Tourism Industry Focus: Significant litigation targeting hospitality and tourism websites.
• Four-Year Statute of Limitations: Longer filing window than some states.

NEW YORK

• Nation's Highest Filing Volume: New York leads the country in website accessibility lawsuits (637 cases in H1 2025).
• NY Human Rights Law: Permits compensatory damages not available under federal ADA.
• NYC Human Rights Law: Even broader protections within New York City.
• Overlay Widget Litigation: Significant litigation against sites using accessibility overlays.

TECHNICAL STANDARDS REFERENCE

WCAG 2.1 Level AA Requirements

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA is the standard referenced in DOJ enforcement and most settlement agreements. Key requirements include:

Perceivable:
- Text alternatives for non-text content
- Captions and audio descriptions for multimedia
- Minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text
- Content reflows without horizontal scrolling at 320px width

Operable:
- All functionality available via keyboard
- No keyboard traps
- Visible focus indicators
- Skip navigation mechanisms
- Sufficient time to read and use content

Understandable:
- Language of page identified
- Consistent navigation
- Form labels and error identification
- Error prevention for legal/financial transactions

Robust:
- Valid HTML markup
- ARIA attributes properly implemented
- Status messages programmatically determinable

DOJ Compliance Deadlines (Title II Entities)

• April 26, 2026: Entities serving populations of 50,000+
• April 26, 2027: Entities serving populations under 50,000

Common Remediation Timelines in Settlement Agreements

• Critical Issues: 10-30 days
• High Priority Issues: 60-90 days
• Medium Priority Issues: 6 months
• Full Compliance: 12-24 months

FILING INFORMATION

Department of Justice

Online: https://civilrights.justice.gov/

By Mail:
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530

ADA Information Line: (800) 514-0301 (Voice) / (800) 514-0383 (TTY)

Important Notes

1. Private Lawsuit Statistics: ADA website lawsuits exceeded 4,000 federal filings in 2024, with a 37% increase in H1 2025.

2. Overlay Widgets Do Not Ensure Compliance: 22.6% of 2024-2025 lawsuits targeted websites using accessibility overlay tools.

3. Automated Testing Limitations: Automated tools catch only 30-40% of WCAG violations; manual testing is essential.

4. Documentation is Critical: Screenshots, recordings, and audit reports strengthen complaints.

5. State Law Damages: While federal ADA does not permit monetary damages in private suits, state laws (CA, NY) may allow damages.

This template reflects website accessibility requirements as of January 2026. The DOJ has adopted WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the technical standard for Title II entities. Courts and plaintiffs commonly use WCAG 2.1 AA as the benchmark for Title III litigation. Consult current guidelines and legal counsel for the most up-to-date requirements.