In the fall of 2016, Guillermo Robles, a blind man living in California, tried to do something millions of Americans do every day: order a pizza online. And he ran into a problem many Americans with disabilities still face in 2025: ADA website compliance is too often an afterthought. When he navigated to Domino’s website and mobile app using a screen reader — a tool that converts text to speech for people who are visually impaired — he hit a wall. The ordering system wasn’t built to work with assistive technology.
He couldn’t complete his order. So he sued.
That lawsuit, Robles v. Domino’s Pizza, would become a turning point in the conversation around ADA website compliance — and one that companies can’t afford to ignore today.
The legal landscape has shifted
Robles argued that Domino’s had failed to provide him equal access to its digital services, violating Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Domino’s responded by saying the ADA didn’t apply to its website or app. But in a landmark decision in 2019, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed.
The court ruled that because Domino’s operates physical locations — which are clearly subject to the ADA — its online platforms must also be accessible under the law.
The U.S. Department of Justice has since affirmed this interpretation. According to updated guidance published in 2022, the ADA applies to websites and mobile apps, and businesses are expected to make their digital services accessible.
For companies operating in 2025, the question isn’t whether the ADA applies to your website. It’s what you’re doing about it.
What is ADA website compliance, really?
At its core, ADA website compliance means ensuring your digital experiences are usable by people with disabilities. That includes those who rely on screen readers, use keyboard navigation, or need captions, transcripts, and clear contrast to understand your content.
The best way to meet compliance standards is by following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) — specifically version 2.2. These standards provide a clear framework for accessibility, covering everything from alt text and semantic HTML to color contrast and keyboard focus states.
The DOJ doesn’t prescribe a single checklist, but WCAG 2.2 has become the de facto benchmark for digital accessibility.
What the Domino’s case means for product teams
The court’s ruling in Robles v. Domino’s didn’t just send a legal message. It sent a product message.
If you’re building or managing a customer-facing website, app, or digital service, you are responsible for ensuring it meets accessibility standards. That’s true whether you’re selling pizzas, shipping products, or offering SaaS solutions.
In other words, ADA website compliance is a product concern — not just a legal or PR issue.
Why it matters in 2025
Accessibility lawsuits have skyrocketed. In 2023 alone, more than 4,600 federal lawsuits were filed over inaccessible websites — and many more were settled out of court. Most targets were retail, food service, and healthcare businesses, but no industry is immune. (Accessibility.com, 2023 Lawsuit Report)
But compliance isn’t just about avoiding risk. It’s about building better products. Accessible design:
- Expands your potential audience (26 percent of U.S. adults live with a disability)
- Improves SEO and site performance
- Enhances user satisfaction and trust
- Future-proofs your product as regulations tighten
If you’re trying to scale or build user loyalty, accessibility is a competitive advantage — not just a checkbox.
How to get started with ADA website compliance
Not sure where to begin? Here are five clear steps you can take:
1. Audit your current site or app
Use tools like Axe, WAVE, or Lighthouse to flag issues. But don’t stop with automation — do manual testing with assistive technologies.
2. Follow WCAG 2.2
This is your roadmap. Learn the success criteria for text alternatives, keyboard navigation, visual contrast, and error handling.
3. Prioritize inclusive design in your process
Build accessibility into your design and dev workflows. Don’t bolt it on at the end.
4. Test with real users
Usability testing with people with disabilities reveals real gaps in your UX that tools can’t catch.
5. Publish your accessibility posture
A VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) or accessibility statement demonstrates transparency — and builds trust with enterprise buyers and public agencies.
The bottom line
The Robles v. Domino’s case didn’t just change the legal landscape. It marked a cultural shift in how we think about access in the digital age.
If your business has a website or app and serves the public, ADA website compliance is no longer optional — it’s expected.
That’s not just the law. That’s the cost of doing business in 2025.
You can read the full opinion here https://www.lflegal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/9th-Circuit-Dominos-Opinion.pdf
