Top Reasons to Hire a Mobile Accessibility Attorney when an App Denies You Equal Access

Mobile applications have become essential for managing nearly every part of modern life, from shopping, banking, telemedicine, education, transportation, and communication. But for millions of individuals with disabilities, many of these apps remain difficult or impossible to use due to widespread accessibility barriers.

When an app prevents you from completing tasks, accessing services, or using features because of your disability, that isn’t just a technical inconvenience. It may be a violation of your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

This is where an attorney specializing in mobile accessibility becomes crucial. These legal professionals help users identify ADA violations, gather evidence, file claims, and hold companies accountable for digital discrimination.

Below, we break down the most important reasons to consult a mobile accessibility attorney when an app denies you equal access.

Key Takeaways

• Mobile apps must comply with ADA accessibility requirements.
• Screen reader issues, unlabeled buttons, and blocked transactions are common violations.
• Emotional harm and loss of independence are recognized legal impacts.
• A mobile accessibility attorney can enforce your rights and demand app remediation.
• Legal action often improves accessibility for the broader disability community.
  

Your Mobile Rights Are Protected Under the ADA

Although the ADA was written before smartphones existed, courts have consistently ruled that digital services, including mobile apps, must be accessible. Apps that block or hinder users with disabilities may be violating federal and state disability laws.

A mobile accessibility attorney helps you understand your legal rights, reviews your experience, and determines whether an app’s design or functionality amounts to unlawful discrimination.

1. Screen Reader Failures Can Be a Legal Violation

One of the most common and damaging accessibility failures is screen reader incompatibility. For blind or visually impaired users who rely on assistive technology, a nonfunctional app can be completely unusable.

Common violations include:

• Buttons or icons that screen readers can’t identify
• Menus that are skipped, unreadable, or mislabeled
• Content sections that are invisible to assistive software
• Pop-ups or alerts not announced by screen readers
• Entire app screens read as “blank”

When these issues prevent independent use, the app may violate ADA requirements for equal access. An attorney helps document these failures and use them as evidence in a legal claim.

2. Unlabeled Buttons and Controls Create Serious Barriers

Many mobile apps rely heavily on icons instead of text. But without proper coding, assistive technologies cannot communicate what those icons do.

Examples include:

• “Submit,” “Next,” or “Pay Now” buttons with no accessible label
• Menu icons with no description
• Navigation tabs that screen readers identify only as “button”
• Audio players with unlabeled play/pause controls

These barriers can prevent users from completing tasks, submitting forms, or accessing critical features. A lawsuit can force developers to correct these issues and adopt ongoing compliance measures.

3. Blocked Purchases, Bookings, and Transactions Are Actionable

When accessibility failures prevent someone from:

• Checking out,
• Scheduling appointments,
• Purchasing tickets,
• Accessing banking features, or
• Completing identity or verification steps,
  

The harm is more than inconvenience; it can be discrimination with financial and emotional consequences.

Courts recognize that denying disabled users access to the same services offered to others violates the ADA. A mobile accessibility attorney helps prove the link between the inaccessible feature and the resulting harm.

4. Emotional Harm and Humiliation Are Part of the Legal Impact

Being denied access because of your disability can be:

• frustrating,
• isolating,
• embarrassing, and
• emotionally distressing.
  

You are being asked to rely on assistance for tasks that should be fully independent—simply because an app wasn’t built with accessibility in mind.

The ADA prohibits discriminatory experiences that:

• deny dignity,
• reduce independence, or
• create unequal participation.

Your attorney can include emotional damages as part of your legal claim to ensure the full extent of harm is recognized.

5. Legal Action Can Force Companies to Improve Their Apps

Hiring an attorney for a mobile accessibility application does more than help you seek compensation; it often compels companies to fix their apps for everyone moving forward.

Lawsuits can lead to:

• full accessibility audits,
• code remediations for WCAG compliance,
• long-term accessibility monitoring,
• policy changes within the company, and
• improved digital accessibility for thousands of users.

Taking legal action is one of the most effective ways to create systemic change in the digital space.

6. An Attorney Knows How to Build a Strong Accessibility Case

Mobile accessibility lawsuits require both legal and technical expertise. An experienced attorney:

• conducts interviews to understand your experience,
• partners with accessibility experts for testing,
• gathers evidence from screen reader recordings and accessibility audits,
• identifies which ADA and state laws were violated,
• prepares demand letters or files suit if necessary.

These cases can be complex, and having an experienced professional dramatically increases the success of your claim.

7. You Don’t Pay for Initial Case Evaluation

Most mobile accessibility attorneys offer free consultations, meaning you can discuss your experience without cost, pressure, or risk.

This allows you to:

• Understand your rights
• Evaluate your potential claim
• Determine whether the app’s issues qualify as ADA violations

Legal representation is designed to empower you, not burden you.

You Deserve Equal Access to Every Mobile App

When an app excludes you because of accessibility barriers, the law is on your side. A mobile accessibility attorney can help you take action, enforce your rights, and create lasting change for yourself and others. If a mobile app denied you equal access, you don’t have to navigate it alone. 

Contact us today to speak with an ADA-focused legal team ready to protect your rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What qualifies as an ADA violation in a mobile app?

Any barrier that prevents a user with a disability from accessing the same features as others may be a violation. These issues often include screen reader failures, unlabeled buttons, blocked transactions, or inaccessible content.

2. How do I know if I should call a mobile accessibility attorney?

If you couldn’t complete a task independently, such as logging in, making a purchase, or accessing essential features, you should consult an attorney. Even minor barriers can represent unlawful discrimination under the ADA.

3. Can I receive compensation for an inaccessible mobile app?

Yes. Plaintiffs may be entitled to compensation, accessibility corrections, and other remedies depending on the violation and jurisdiction. In many cases, lawsuits also require companies to fix accessibility issues for future users.

4. What evidence should I gather before speaking with an attorney?

Screenshots, screen recordings, and descriptions of what happened are extremely helpful. Your attorney will also conduct accessibility testing to build a strong case, even if you only have minimal documentation.

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