Mobile apps have become an integral part of modern life, connecting people to essential services like banking, healthcare, education, and commerce. But for many individuals with disabilities, these digital gateways remain closed. When mobile apps are designed without accessibility in mind, they can violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and lead to serious legal consequences for businesses.
Mobile accessibility lawsuits are on the rise, and they’re transforming how companies design and deliver digital experiences. This article explores how these lawsuits unfold, the legal standards behind them, and how a mobile accessibility attorney can help users take action when their rights are violated.
Mobile devices have become a primary way people connect with the world. Yet, millions of users with disabilities struggle to use apps that aren’t compatible with assistive technology.
For instance, a visually impaired user might not be able to read content if an app lacks screen reader labels. A deaf user may be excluded from video content without captions. A person with motor impairments may be unable to complete forms or navigate screens that require precise touch gestures.
These aren’t minor inconveniences; they’re barriers that prevent equal access. Under the ADA, that means they can be treated as forms of digital discrimination.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted in 1990 to eliminate discrimination against individuals with disabilities. While originally focused on physical spaces, courts and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have affirmed that the ADA applies to digital environments as well, including mobile apps.
Under Title III of the ADA, businesses that offer goods or services to the public, such as banks, retailers, restaurants, and healthcare providers, must make those services accessible. Mobile apps are considered “places of public accommodation” in the digital age.
In short: if your business app allows the public to buy, book, learn, or manage accounts, it must be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.
Accessibility issues often arise from poor design decisions or a lack of compliance with technical standards. Common ADA violations found in mobile apps include:
These barriers directly conflict with ADA principles of equal access and usability.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), serve as the most widely accepted standard for mobile accessibility.
While not directly written into the ADA, the DOJ and courts consistently use WCAG as a reference in accessibility litigation. These guidelines require that digital content be:
When a mobile app fails to meet these standards, it often becomes the basis for ADA litigation.
Several high-profile cases have shaped the conversation around mobile accessibility:
Each of these cases demonstrates a clear message: mobile accessibility is a legal obligation, not a design preference.
If you’ve been denied access to an app or digital service because of accessibility barriers, consulting a mobile accessibility attorney is your best next step.
An experienced lawyer can:
By combining legal strategy with accessibility expertise, your attorney ensures your claim has both technical and legal strength.
If you’re in New Jersey, partnering with an ADA attorney in New Jersey offers significant advantages. In addition to federal ADA protections, you’re also protected by the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), which provides additional avenues for legal relief.
Local attorneys understand how to apply both sets of laws strategically, maximizing your chances of success and ensuring that businesses are held accountable for violating accessibility standards.
If you’ve struggled to use a mobile app because of accessibility barriers, you don’t have to face it alone. Every lawsuit helps push the digital world toward greater inclusion.
Contact our firm today for a free consultation with a mobile accessibility attorney. Together, we can hold businesses accountable and make equal access the standard for mobile technology.
Yes. If the app prevents equal access due to disability-related barriers, you may have grounds to file an ADA lawsuit.
Depending on the case, you may be entitled to injunctive relief (forcing compliance), attorney’s fees, and, in some cases, monetary damages under state laws like the NJLAD.
Your mobile accessibility attorney will work with accessibility experts to document and validate the issues before filing a claim.
Yes, and they’re increasing every year as mobile use grows and businesses face more scrutiny for digital accessibility.
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