ADA Website Accessibility and CCPA Privacy Compliance in California

California website compliance guide covering ADA accessibility, CCPA privacy laws, and lawsuit risks for businesses.

7 min read

Overview

California is the second-largest market for ADA litigation, with approximately 2,500 lawsuits filed annually. Additionally, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) creates separate obligations for data handling and privacy. California businesses face a dual compliance burden: ensuring digital accessibility while protecting consumer privacy.

~2,500

Annual Lawsuits

##2 nationwide

National Rank

Stable with seasonal spikes

Trend

Common Targets

• Tech companies and SaaS platforms

• Retail and e-commerce sites

• Travel and hospitality booking sites

• Entertainment and streaming platforms

• Financial technology platforms

Top Plaintiff Firms

• Disability Rights California

• California Foundation for Independent Living Centers

• Vision Enabled

California Accessibility Laws

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III

All private businesses; all public entity websites

Federal law requiring equal access to public accommodations, including websites and digital services.

Penalties: Up to $75,000 per violation; attorney's fees and costs

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

Businesses collecting personal information from California residents earning $25M+ annually or collecting data from 100k+ people

Requires businesses to disclose data collection, allow consumer opt-outs, and provide data access rights. Also requires accessible privacy notices.

Penalties: Up to $2,500 per violation; $7,500 per intentional violation; private right of action

California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)

Large businesses processing personal information of California residents

Expands CCPA with additional consumer rights including data deletion, correction, and opt-out of sale/sharing.

Penalties: Up to $10,000 per intentional violation

WCAG 2.1 Level AA Standards

All websites and digital properties

Industry standard accessibility guidelines adopted by California courts as compliance benchmark.

Penalties: Legal liability; damage awards

Recent Cases & Outcomes

2023Major technology platformSettlement with accessibility and privacy commitments$320,000

2023E-commerce marketplaceJudgment for injunctive relief$158,000

2022Streaming entertainment serviceSettlement requiring video captioning$275,000

2022Travel booking websiteAgreed remediation with monitoring$112,000

* Cases are representative examples. Actual case details may differ.

Compliance Advice for California Businesses

California businesses must balance ADA accessibility compliance with CCPA/CPRA privacy obligations. Ensure your website meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards while implementing compliant privacy notices, data collection practices, and consumer rights mechanisms. Document all accessibility improvements and privacy compliance efforts. Given California's tech-forward plaintiff firms, proactive compliance is more cost-effective than litigation remediation.

CCPA / CPRA: California Privacy Law

California has enacted the CCPA / CPRA, which applies alongside ADA accessibility requirements. Businesses operating in California must comply with both accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA) and privacy regulations. SiteArmor scans for both — check your site now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to comply with both ADA and CCPA requirements?

Yes. If you collect personal data from California residents and operate a website, you must comply with both ADA accessibility standards (Title III) and CCPA/CPRA privacy requirements. Non-compliance with either creates legal liability.

Does an inaccessible privacy notice itself violate ADA?

Yes. If your website's privacy notice is not accessible to people with disabilities, it violates both ADA Title III and CCPA (which requires accessible privacy disclosure). This is a common litigation target.

What are the most common California website accessibility claims?

Image alt text, video captions, keyboard navigation, color contrast, and form accessibility are the most frequently targeted issues. CCPA notices that lack captions or readable text also draw scrutiny.

Can I be sued under both ADA and CCPA in one case?

Yes. Plaintiffs often combine ADA claims with CCPA data-handling claims to increase damages. A single inaccessible form could trigger both accessibility and privacy liability.

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WCAG 2.1

ADA

Privacy