ADA laws in Michigan apply to websites through federal law, not a separate Michigan digital statute. Private businesses with physical locations open to the public fall under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. State and local government entities in Michigan fall under Title II. As of April 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice requires government websites and mobile apps to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA under a binding federal rule. Private businesses are not subject to that specific regulation, but federal courts in Michigan allow ADA website lawsuits when the site is connected to a physical place of public accommodation.
Most website accessibility cases in Michigan are filed in federal court in Detroit or Grand Rapids. Plaintiffs typically seek injunctive relief and attorney’s fees, not compensatory damages. Settlements often require WCAG 2.1 AA remediation, third-party audits, and public accessibility statements. Remediation for a small business website may cost several thousand dollars. Litigation frequently costs more. The law is federal. The exposure is local.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when the website is connected to a physical place of public accommodation such as a store, restaurant, medical office, hotel, or service provider. Courts in Michigan evaluate these cases under ADA Title III.
Michigan does not have a separate state statute that sets a technical website accessibility standard. Most claims rely on the federal ADA. The Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act prohibits disability discrimination but does not define detailed web standards.
Most settlements and court orders reference WCAG 2.0 AA or WCAG 2.1 AA. Government entities in Michigan must comply with WCAG 2.1 AA under the DOJ’s April 2024 Title II rule.
State agencies, counties, cities, townships, public school districts, and public universities in Michigan must comply. Deadlines depend on population size.
Yes. ADA Title III does not include a revenue threshold. Small retailers, restaurants, and professional offices 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.
No. Overlay tools do not correct underlying code issues and have not been treated by courts as a complete defense to ADA claims.
Yes. If a business or government entity offers services through a mobile app, accessibility obligations apply to that platform as well.
Small informational sites may cost several thousand dollars to audit and remediate. Larger ecommerce or government platforms can cost significantly more. Litigation costs often exceed proactive compliance expenses.
Structured WCAG 2.1 AA audits, documented remediation, manual testing with keyboard and screen readers, and ongoing monitoring reduce exposure. Compliance is not a one-time project.
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