This article is general information, not legal advice. If you receive a demand letter, consult a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction.
Some law firms and advocacy groups send pre-suit demand letters alleging that a public-facing website does not meet accessibility expectations under laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Receipt feels alarming — especially for a solo business — but understanding the pattern helps you respond calmly and invest in the right fixes.
What letters usually claim
Most cite barriers such as missing alt text, poor contrast, keyboard traps, or inaccessible forms. The sender may request remediation within a deadline and sometimes monetary settlement. The technical details vary in quality; some letters are boilerplate.
What to do first
Do not ignore the letter. Forward it to counsel, preserve a copy, and avoid admitting fault in public forums. In parallel, gather facts: what platform hosts the site, when it last changed, and whether you already have an audit trail.
Reducing exposure before and after
Building to WCAG 2.1 AA, publishing an accessibility statement with a contact path, and fixing high-impact issues fast (navigation, forms, checkout) all reduce both practical barriers and negotiation leverage against you. Ongoing monitoring is cheaper than emergency rebuilds.
We help teams prioritise remediation and rebuilds when templates are the bottleneck. Reach out for a confidential conversation.