State Law Summary
Alabama Does Not Have a Separate Website Accessibility Law
Unlike some states (such as California or New York), Alabama has not passed a state law specifically regulating website accessibility for private businesses. Businesses operating in Alabama generally follow federal ADA requirements rather than state-specific rules.
This means:
- No Alabama statute explicitly says “business websites must be ADA compliant.”
- Most enforcement comes from federal ADA lawsuits filed in federal court.
Website Compliance Rules
Federal ADA Law Still Applies in Alabama
Even though Alabama has no separate statute, businesses are still subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The ADA applies to two main categories:
Title II – Government Websites
State and local government websites must be accessible to people with disabilities.
Under new federal rules issued in 2024:
- Government websites must follow WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards
- Compliance deadlines depend on population size
- Large municipalities: April 2026
- Smaller governments: April 2027
These rules apply to:
- State agencies
- County and city websites
- Public school websites
- Online government services
Examples of covered services include things like filing forms, paying tickets, registering for programs, or accessing government information online.
Damages & Penalties
Title III – Private Businesses
Private businesses that are “places of public accommodation” must provide equal access to their services.
Courts increasingly interpret this to include:
- Retail websites
- Healthcare websites
- Hotel booking sites
- Restaurant ordering systems
- Service booking platforms
However:
- The ADA itself does not specify a technical website standard.
- Courts typically treat WCAG 2.0 or 2.1 Level AA as the benchmark.
This is why most ADA website lawsuits reference WCAG violations.
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