The Kate Show – Episode 301: Interior Design Website ADA Compliance
Host: Kate, Socialite Agency
Date: March 2, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode addresses a pressing concern among interior designers and related professionals: ADA compliance for websites. With a notable surge in ADA-based lawsuits targeting small businesses, Kate cuts through the confusion, providing a practical, no-nonsense guide to understanding what ADA website compliance means, how to assess your own site, which issues to prioritize, and actionable steps for creating a more compliant and accessible online presence.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Lawsuit Landscape and Why ADA Compliance Matters
- Recent rumors and real cases of interior designers being sued for non-compliant websites have spread concern across the industry.
- Over 2,000 ADA website lawsuits were filed in the first half of 2025 alone, with settlements typically ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, in addition to website remediation costs.
- "ADA website lawsuits exploded in 2025 with over 2,000 cases in the first half of the year alone, which was a 37% increase year over year." (08:15)
- Serial plaintiffs are making a business out of seeking out non-compliant sites and filing mass lawsuits.
2. What is Website ADA Compliance? (04:06)
- Under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, websites must provide people with disabilities the same full and equal enjoyment of services.
- The industry benchmark is WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.1 / 2.2 Level AA.
- The four “POUR” Principles:
- Perceivable: Alt text for images, captions for videos, good color contrast.
- Operable: Navigable by keyboard, no seizure-inducing flashes.
- Understandable: Clear form labels, predictable navigation.
- "If your main menu... is super vague... it's actually just a little bit unclear and you need to be very understandable." (06:13)
- Robust: Works with current and future assistive technologies.
- ADA compliance is ongoing—a site must be kept up-to-date as technology and guidelines evolve.
3. How Compliance is Determined (09:12)
- No government agency certifies compliance; courts apply WCAG standards in lawsuits.
- If a disabled visitor is unable to use your site (screen readers, forms, portfolio), you are likely to lose in court.
- An accessibility statement and remediation plan can bolster your legal defense.
4. The Rise of Serial Plaintiffs (11:25)
- 50% of lawsuits in 2025 came from just 31 serial plaintiffs.
- Plaintiffs commonly use screen readers to document failures, filing nearly identical complaints in bulk and using the same law firms.
- Most cases settle out of court, which is often less expensive than litigation.
5. Free and Paid Tools for Compliance Checks (16:20)
- Top Free Tools:
- WAVE (wave.webaim.org): Shows visual errors on live pages.
- Dev Tools: Deep audits with fix recommendations.
- Google Lighthouse: Provides accessibility score (0-100).
- "You’ll need to run these scans on your homepage, services page, portfolio page, contact page..." (18:32)
- Paid tools offer more depth and can help avoid lawsuits by catching issues early.
6. High-Priority and Common Issues (20:00)
- Major problems triggering lawsuits:
- Missing/generic image alt text.
- Keyboard navigation failures.
- Low color contrast (especially with light text or thin fonts).
- Unlabeled forms.
- Lack of captions for videos.
- Manual Self-Check: Test with free screen readers (e.g., NVDA), check tab navigation, color contrast, and form labeling.
- Frequency: Run scans after any major update and quarterly at minimum.
7. Risky Aesthetic Choices in Website Design (25:40)
- Seven common design elements that pose ADA risks:
- Low color contrast (thin, light text on white/earth-tone backgrounds).
- Text overlays on images without a sufficient dark overlay.
- Portfolio images with missing or generic alt text.
- Auto-advancing carousels or sliders.
- Micro-animations on hover (mouse-only reveals).
- Invisible/removed focus indicators for keyboard navigation.
- Decorative or excessively thin fonts, script fonts in headers.
- "These issues... are found on almost 80% of the top 1 million homepages. So, very common issue." (26:00)
- "I can't stand testimonial sliders that change by themselves... you don't have a chance to appreciate your image or to read the testimonial before it changes." (28:55)
- Mitigation Tips:
- Slightly darken overlays, use descriptive alt text, make sliders manual (with pause), show visible focus indicators, minimize script fonts.
- Designer responsibility: "Your website is your responsibility and your liability." (29:51)
8. Sample Accessibility Statement (31:50)
- Kate offers a short, practical example of an accessibility statement to post on your website.
- Example includes outlining steps taken for accessibility and an email for feedback.
- "If you encounter barriers, we welcome your feedback. Please contact us at (email) and we will reply promptly." (33:45)
- Legal note: Not legal advice—consult an attorney if concerned.
9. Best Website Platforms for Natural Compliance (35:25)
- Squarespace: #1 for accessibility support (“naturally get closer to ADA compliance”); offers alt text fields, AI generation for missing alt text, visible keyboard focus, proper HTML structure, easy color contrast controls, media captioning, and labeled forms.
- "When I was researching which website platforms help their users become the most ADA compliant, naturally Squarespace was listed as number one." (36:03)
- Other Platforms:
- Wix – 2nd place.
- WordPress – 3rd place.
- Weebly – last (not recommended).
- Recommendation: If you’re considering a redesign, choose a platform that makes compliance easier.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "We live in a society where lawsuits are thrown around like parade candy." (01:10)
- "Do I think that people with special needs should be able to access sites? Of course I do. But there is a line." (02:02)
- "If a blind visitor is using a screen reader and they can't browse your portfolio, read about your services, or submit an inquiry — in court, you lose." (09:37)
- "Plaintiffs will file templated complaints because they’re doing it in mass, and they will list the same 10 to 15 non-compliance issues..." (13:34)
- "Your website is your responsibility and your liability." (29:51)
- "Squarespace was listed as number one. Now, Squarespace does give you a solid head start with accessibility compared to other builders..." (36:03)
Useful Timestamps
- Lawsuit context, numbers & risks – 00:50 to 04:00
- What is ADA website compliance/WCAG overview – 04:10 to 08:50
- Court cases & serial plaintiffs – 11:25 to 14:45
- Compliance audit tools – 16:20 to 18:45
- Top compliance mistakes to fix first – 20:00 to 24:40
- Risky but common site aesthetics – 25:40 to 31:45
- Accessibility statement sample – 31:50 to 34:30
- Platform recommendations (Squarespace, etc.) – 35:25 to 38:50
Summary & Takeaways
- Understand and Audit: Use free (and consider paid) tools regularly to check your website for ADA compliance, especially after major updates.
- Fix Major Barriers First: Prioritize issues like alt text, keyboard navigation, color contrast, form labeling, and video captions.
- Be Cautious with Aesthetics: Design choices that seem "luxurious" can compromise accessibility—and compliance.
- Consider Platform: Platforms like Squarespace offer built-in help for accessibility, making compliance easier.
- Post a Statement: An accessibility statement with a contact email shows good intent and can help in defense.
- Stay Proactive: Quarterly reviews and continuous improvements are advised; compliance is an ongoing process.
"Check your site, be aware of how compliant you are or are not, and perhaps add the accessibility statement... Just do your due diligence to be compliant." (41:35)
Final Words
Kate encourages interior designers and allied professionals to keep marketing simple, messages clear, and websites compliant—reminding listeners that a complicated legal landscape doesn’t mean compliance itself has to be overwhelming.
For services, further resources, and show notes: www.katethesocialite.com