In a landmark ruling, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York recognized accessWidget as a measure to promote website accessibility.

During the  Erkan v. David A. Hidalgo, MD, P.C. case, the defendant faced allegations that his business’s website was inaccessible and non-compliant with accessibility standards. To counter these claims, the defendant demonstrated accessibility improvements to the website, including accessWidget.

The judge ruled that these measures, “and the site’s use of an accessibility widget”, were “sufficient to assure the Court that there is no reasonable expectation that the [accessibility] issues purportedly identified by Plaintiff will recur.”

This recognition, which contributed to the dismissal of an ADA digital accessibility lawsuit, marks a significant milestone for accessWidget and accessiBe’s broader mission of creating a more inclusive internet. It reaffirms the tangible impact of our AI-powered solution and the commitment we share with our customers to promote accessibility.

You can continue readig about this case and the takaways here.

The number of lawsuits filed against companies for non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding website accessibility has seen significant fluctuations over recent years. Here’s a summary of the data:

• 2023: Approximately 4,605 ADA-related digital accessibility lawsuits were filed in both federal and state courts. info.usablenet.com

• 2024: The total number of such lawsuits decreased to 3,188. Ecomback

It’s important to note that these figures encompass lawsuits filed in both federal and state courts. The variations in numbers can be attributed to several factors, including shifts in legal strategies, changes in filing patterns, and evolving judicial interpretations of the ADA as it pertains to digital accessibility.

Businesses are advised to proactively ensure their websites comply with accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, to mitigate the risk of litigation and to provide an inclusive experience for all users.