State Law Summary
Federal ADA Requirements (Applies to Most Businesses)
Private businesses in Louisiana are primarily regulated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Two sections of the ADA affect website accessibility:
- Title II — applies to state and local government services
- Title III — applies to private businesses open to the public
Under Title III, businesses considered places of public accommodation must provide equal access to their goods and services. Courts increasingly interpret this requirement to include websites and digital services, particularly when the website is connected to a physical business.
Businesses commonly affected include:
- restaurants
- hotels and lodging
- retail stores
- banks
- healthcare providers
- professional services.
The ADA itself does not specify a technical website standard. Courts and settlement agreements typically use the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 or 2.1 Level AA as the practical benchmark for accessibility.
Louisiana Disability Discrimination Law
Louisiana also prohibits disability discrimination through its state civil rights laws.
These laws generally prohibit discrimination based on disability in areas such as:
- employment
- housing
- public services
- public accommodations
Public accommodations include businesses that serve the public, which may include online services or websites if accessibility barriers prevent disabled users from accessing services.
State discrimination claims may be filed through agencies such as the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights, which enforces civil rights protections in the state.
However, Louisiana’s state disability law is less commonly used for website accessibility lawsuits compared with states like California or New York.
Website Compliance Rules
Accessibility Requirements for Louisiana Government Websites
Louisiana has internal policies requiring state government websites and digital services to be accessible.
State agencies aim to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to government services delivered online. Government websites are designed to follow recognized accessibility standards such as WCAG guidelines and Section 508 standards.
For example, Louisiana state portals and agency websites aim to comply with WCAG Level AA accessibility requirements to ensure that people with disabilities can access online services and information.
Some state systems even target WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance for digital services and applications.
Accessibility requirements generally apply to:
- state agency websites
- online public services
- digital documents
- mobile applications.
Federal Rule for Government Websites (2024)
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice finalized a rule clarifying accessibility requirements for government digital services.
The rule states that state and local government websites and mobile apps must meet WCAG accessibility standards under ADA Title II.
Compliance deadlines include:
- April 24, 2026 — governments serving populations over 50,000
- April 26, 2027 — smaller jurisdictions.
This rule applies to:
- Louisiana state agencies
- city and parish governments
- public universities
- public schools.
Damages & Penalties
Website Accessibility Enforcement in Louisiana
Louisiana has relatively low ADA website litigation compared to major states like California, New York, or Florida.
However, businesses can still face lawsuits under ADA Title III if their websites prevent people with disabilities from accessing goods or services.
Typical website accessibility complaints include:
- screen readers unable to interpret page content
- missing alternative text for images
- inaccessible navigation menus
- online forms that cannot be used with keyboards.
Many claims are resolved through settlements requiring website remediation and payment of attorney’s fees.
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