ADA Laws for Hospitality in Wisconsin

State Law Summary

Wisconsin Does Not Have a Specific Website Accessibility Law for Private Businesses

Wisconsin does not have a state statute that explicitly requires private business websites to meet accessibility standards.

Instead, website accessibility obligations generally come from the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Two sections of the ADA are most relevant:

• Title II – covers state and local government entities
• Title III – covers private businesses that are considered places of public accommodation

Businesses that typically fall under Title III include:

• restaurants
• retail stores
• hotels
• healthcare providers
• banks
• professional services.

If a website prevents people with disabilities from accessing services or information, it can lead to ADA discrimination claims.

Common issues cited in accessibility complaints include:

• missing alt text for images
• inaccessible forms or checkout processes
• poor keyboard navigation
• low color contrast
• incompatibility with screen readers.

Because the ADA itself does not specify a technical web standard, courts typically use Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 or 2.1 Level AA as the benchmark for compliance.

Website Compliance Rules

Wisconsin Accessibility Policies for Government Websites

Although Wisconsin does not have a specific statute governing private business websites, the State of Wisconsin maintains accessibility policies for government websites and web applications.

State agencies are expected to design websites so they are accessible to people with disabilities. These policies emphasize accessibility features such as:

• text equivalents for images
• accessible forms
• support for flexible font sizes
• keyboard-accessible navigation
• limited reliance on technologies that may block accessibility.

These requirements are largely based on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which sets accessibility standards for government technology.

Damages & Penalties

Accessibility Standards Used by Wisconsin Agencies

Wisconsin government agencies typically align their websites with recognized accessibility frameworks such as:

• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

These standards focus on ensuring digital content works with assistive technologies such as screen readers and keyboard navigation.

Typical WCAG requirements include:

• alt text for meaningful images
• proper heading structure
• keyboard-friendly navigation
• adequate color contrast
• captions or transcripts for multimedia.