ADA laws in Minnesota apply to websites through federal law, primarily Title II and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Private businesses with physical locations open to the public are evaluated under Title III when their websites block access to goods and services. State and local government entities in Minnesota are governed by Title II and, as of April 24, 2024, must comply with a binding U.S. Department of Justice rule requiring WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance for websites and mobile apps.
Minnesota does not have a separate state statute that sets a technical website accessibility standard. The Minnesota Human Rights Act prohibits disability discrimination but does not define digital coding requirements. Most website accessibility lawsuits in Minnesota are filed in federal court and seek injunctive relief and attorney’s fees. Settlements typically require WCAG-based remediation, third-party audits, and documented accessibility policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when the website is connected to a physical place of public accommodation such as a retail store, restaurant, medical office, hotel, or service provider. Courts in Minnesota evaluate these claims under ADA Title III.
Minnesota does not have a separate statute that establishes technical website standards. Most digital accessibility claims rely on the federal ADA. The Minnesota Human Rights Act addresses disability discrimination more broadly.
Most settlements and court orders reference WCAG 2.0 AA or WCAG 2.1 AA. Under the DOJ’s April 24, 2024 rule, Minnesota state and local government entities must comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
State agencies, counties, cities, townships, public school districts, and public colleges and universities must comply. Compliance deadlines depend on population size.
Yes. ADA Title III does not include a revenue-based exemption. Small and mid-size businesses have been defendants in website accessibility cases.
Under federal Title III, private plaintiffs generally seek injunctive relief and attorney’s fees. Compensatory damages are not typically available in private ADA Title III cases.
Yes. If a business or public entity provides goods or services through a mobile app, accessibility obligations extend to that platform.
No. Overlay tools do not correct underlying code barriers and have not been treated by courts as a complete defense to ADA claims.
Small informational websites may cost several thousand dollars to audit and remediate. Larger ecommerce or government platforms can require significantly higher investment. Litigation often costs more than proactive remediation.
Documented WCAG 2.1 AA audits, code-level remediation, manual keyboard and screen reader testing, and ongoing monitoring reduce exposure. Compliance requires maintenance, not a one-time fix.
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