For most people, mobile apps are simply convenient. For individuals with disabilities, they are essential. Everyday tasks, from ordering medication to managing money or attending virtual appointments, often depend entirely on app access.
So what happens when an app instantly shuts you out? What if the “Continue” button won’t read, the login screen is silent, or the checkout never detects your input?
These moments aren’t just frustrating; they can be legally significant. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), companies must ensure their digital services are accessible to people with disabilities. When they fail, you have the right to take action.
An inaccessible mobile app can interrupt essential parts of life.
Some examples include:
These examples all share one thing: the task is possible for nondisabled users, but impossible for users relying on assistive technology.
That difference is what turns a technical bug into a potential ADA violation.
Not every glitch is discriminatory, but certain patterns strongly indicate a violation of the ADA or state laws like the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD).
Here are the signs that an inaccessibility issue may be actionable:
1. You cannot complete a basic function (log in, checkout, submit). If the app blocks essential features, that’s a red flag.
2. Screen readers don’t announce important elements. Buttons, links, fields, or alerts that go silent point to improper coding.
3. The app behaves differently when accessibility tools are active. Crashes, freezes, or navigation loops are common issues.
4. Alternative methods are not available. If there is no accessible backup pathway, that strengthens your claim.
5. You experience emotional, practical, or financial harm. Distress, missed deadlines, failed purchases, or loss of independence all matter legally.
If any of these apply, an accessibility attorney for a mobile app can help determine whether your rights were violated.
Mobile apps provide services that the public relies on every day.
When an app excludes disabled users, the impact can be immediate and deeply harmful:
The ADA protects the right to equal access, meaning companies must prevent these barriers before they harm users.
Before you contact an attorney, a few simple steps can help strengthen your case:
Try to capture:
Even a short note like “Screen reader read nothing on login page at 3:14 PM” can help.
This helps show the impact, such as:
Users often blame themselves, but the fault is almost always in the app’s code. Once you have these notes, it’s time to involve a professional.
A mobile app accessibility attorney brings technical skill, legal knowledge, and experience with disability barriers, allowing them to take clear, strategic action.
Here’s what they do:
The attorney listens to your story and determines whether the barrier meets ADA standards for discrimination.
Professionals recreate your experience using assistive technology. They may uncover multiple barriers you didn’t see, which strengthen your case.
This includes:
This shows not only that the app failed, but why the failure is illegal.
The attorney sends a detailed demand requiring the company to:
This step alone often results in resolution.
If the company ignores or dismisses the issue, your attorney may file a mobile app accessibility lawsuit.
This can result in:
Your attorney’s goal is to remedy the harm, enforce your rights, and create lasting improvements.
Your claim may be particularly strong if an inaccessible app prevented you from:
Apps offering essential services carry higher legal responsibility, meaning stronger claims.
When a mobile app prevents you from completing important tasks, that barrier is not your burden; it is the app developer’s legal obligation. A mobile accessibility attorney can help you understand your rights, pursue compensation, and push companies to treat disabled users with the respect and accessibility the law requires.
If an app denied you equal access, reach out to our legal team, and we’re here to fight for your rights and make digital spaces accessible for everyone.
Yes. Each platform must be independently accessible. An inaccessible app can still be an ADA violation, even if a website exists.
You may still have a valid claim for the harm already caused. Remediation does not cancel past discrimination.
No. Even without documentation, your attorney can test and confirm the barriers.
Depending on the laws involved, you may be eligible for:
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