--- title: How the ADA Applies to Restaurant and Hospitality Websites description: Learn how ADA applies to apps and websites of restaurants, food-service and hospitality companies, and what you can do to maintain web accessibility. image: https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/GettyImages-1035507788.jpg --- - [skip to menu](https://blog.usablenet.com/how-the-ada-applies-to-restaurant-and-hospitality-websites#nav) - [skip to content](https://blog.usablenet.com/how-the-ada-applies-to-restaurant-and-hospitality-websites#main-content) - [skip to footer](https://blog.usablenet.com/how-the-ada-applies-to-restaurant-and-hospitality-websites#footer) Test the accessibility of your website for free! Try UsableNet AQA. [Test now!](https://usablenet.com/automated-accessibility-testing-tool) Close [![UsableNet home](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/logo.png?width=429&height=62&name=logo.png)](https://usablenet.com/) - [Solutions](https://usablenet.com) ## Solutions [UsableNet Assistive](https://usablenet.com/technology/assistive-technology-services) A managed service combining experts, technology and legal support to make your website accessible [UsableNet AQA](https://usablenet.com/technology/aqa) Accessibility management and testing software for designers, developers, and testers [Accessibility Audits & Support Services](https://usablenet.com/services) Expert guidance and training to empower your team to create accessible digital experiences Explore which of our digital accessibility solutions is right for you [Watch a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/choose-a-demo?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1737658630173.1737669055746.199&__hssc=181257784.7.1737669055746&__hsfp=3011104808) - [Resources](https://usablenet.com/resources) ## Resources - [E-books & Guides](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=E-books%20and%20Guides) - [Case Studies](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Case%20Studies) - [Reports](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Reports) - [Webinars](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Webinars) - [Tools](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Tools) - [All Resources](https://usablenet.com/resources) ## Essential Resources ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/resources-1.png?width=100&height=100&name=resources-1.png) [ADA accessibility lawsuit tracker](https://info.usablenet.com/ada-website-compliance-lawsuit-tracker) ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/resources-2.png?width=100&height=100&name=resources-2.png) [Checklist: how to achieve and maintain digital accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/digital-website-accessibility-checklist) ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/resources-3.png?width=100&height=100&name=resources-3.png) [Which remediation approach is right for me?](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz) ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ADA%20Primer.png?width=100&height=100&name=ADA%20Primer.png) [A Primer on ADA and Digital Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/a-primer-on-ada-and-digital-accessibility) The EAA is in Effect — Is Your Website Compliant? [Get Help with EN 301 549 Compliance](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance) - [Who We Serve](https://usablenet.com/strategic-relationships) ## Industry [E-commerce and Consumer Goods](https://info.usablenet.com/e-commerce-accessibility-solutions) [Food Service and Hospitality](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-food-service-hospitality) [Banking and Financial Services](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-financial-services) [Healthcare](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-healthcare) [Technology and Business Services](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-technology-and-business-services) [Public Sector and Education](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-public-sector-and-education) ## Compliance [Canadian Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-canada) [European Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance) [Other International Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-international) [United States Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-united-states) 2026 Midyear report on digital accessibility lawsuits in the US [Download Now](https://info.usablenet.com/2026-midyear-report) - [Pricing](https://usablenet.com/pricing) - [Blog](https://blog.usablenet.com/) - [About Us](https://usablenet.com/about-us) [Get a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/contact) Close Open Menu - Solutions ## Solutions [UsableNet Assistive](https://usablenet.com/technology/assistive-technology-services) A managed service combining experts, technology and legal support to make your website accessible [UsableNet AQA](https://usablenet.com/technology/aqa) Accessibility management and testing software for designers, developers, and testers [Accessibility Audits & Support Services](https://usablenet.com/services) Expert guidance and training to empower your team to create accessible digital experiences Which accessibility remediation approach is right for me? [Take our Quiz](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz) - Resources ## Resources [E-books & Guides](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=E-books%20and%20Guides) [Case Studies](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Case%20Studies) [Reports](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Reports) [Webinars](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Webinars) [Tools](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Tools) [All Resources](https://usablenet.com/resources) ## Essential Resources [ADA accessibility lawsuit tracker](https://info.usablenet.com/ada-website-compliance-lawsuit-tracker?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [Checklist: how to achieve and maintain digital accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/digital-website-accessibility-checklist?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [Which remediation approach is right for me?](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [A Primer on ADA and Digital Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/a-primer-on-ada-and-digital-accessibility?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) The EAA is in Effect — Is Your Website Compliant? [Get Help with EN 301 549 Compliance](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) - Who We Serve ## Industry [E-commerce and Consumer Goods](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-e-commerce-consumer-goods) [Food Service and Hospitality](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-food-service-hospitality) [Banking and Financial Services](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-financial-services) [Healthcare](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-healthcare) [Technology and Business Services](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-technology-and-business-services) [Public Sector and Education](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-public-sector-and-education) ## Compliance [Canadian Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-canada) [European Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-europe) [Other International Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-international) [United States Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-united-states) 2026 Midyear report on digital accessibility lawsuits in the US [Download Now](https://info.usablenet.com/2026-midyear-report) - [Pricing](https://usablenet.com/pricing) - [Blog](https://blog.usablenet.com/) - [About Us](https://usablenet.com/about-us) [Get a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/contact) # How the ADA Applies to Restaurant and Hospitality Websites **By** [Jason Taylor, Chief Innovation Strategist](https://blog.usablenet.com/author/jason-taylor) on Nov 22, 2019 **Topics:** [Web Accessibility](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/web-accessibility), [ADA Website Compliance](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ada-website-compliance), [Restaurants](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/restaurants) 0 Comments - - - ![Student asking how to maintain website accessibility](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/GettyImages-1035507788.jpg) On November 12, 2019, I was joined by Michelle Anderson, Partner at Fisher Phillips for a special UsableNet Webinar on how the ADA applies to Website and Apps of not just restaurant but also food service and hospitality companies.  ## Why Are Hospitality Companies Sued for WEbsite ADA?  The Restaurant and Food Service Industry is the second most frequently targeted by ADA web accessibility lawsuits—10% percent of all federal ADA-based web related filings as of midyear 2019. Equally striking, 72 food service companies (over 16 percent of these legal actions) had previously been sued. The only other industry targeted more was retail in 2018 and 2019 so far is retail.  Restaurant, food service and hospitality websites are popular destinations online for everyone, including members of the disability community. The rise of surfing lawsuits in this area likely follows the popularity going online to complete more tasks in our every-day lives.  When visiting restaurants online, it becomes much faster to visit multiple Websites.  A single customer might check several restaurant Websites to find a gluten-free option for Friday nigt dinner or look at multiple Website pages on menu selections and delivery areas in order to find a restaurant open and willing to deliver wings to their neighborhood for Sunday football. But this also means that a user of assistive technology can begin to encounter the same frustrating accessibility issues again and again from Website to Website and across brands.  Related: Watch Joe Di-Nero, Assistive Technology Specialist with Helen Keller Services for the Blind and a Digital Accessibility Tester for UsableNet navigate a good and bad user experience with his assistive technology. [Watch the On-Demand Webinar Now.](https://info.usablenet.com/on-demand-webinar-a-blind-users-experience-part-2-the-good-the-bad-and-what-makes-the-difference) When a potential customer using assistive technology can't find the information they need, including the phone number our hours to call, that can lead to surges of ADA Websites lawsuits in the [same area](https://blog.usablenet.com/ada-website-lawsuits-in-california-on-the-rise), or by the [same industry](https://info.usablenet.com/2019-ada-web-accessibility-lawsuit-recap-report) and often by the same person who has gone from potential customer to plaintiff.  ## What does the law say?  Title III of the ADA is from 1990 and does not specifically mention Websites. But it's existing DOJ settlements have set a precedent that Restaurants have an obligation to provide digital accessibility. From the plaintiff’s perspective, the argument is simple—there is precedent from past DOJ legal actions where food companies have agreed to update their websites to confirm with digital accessibility standards such as the WCAG requirements. ## Why do plaintiffs sue the same Company multiple times?  Many restaurant and hotel groups have multiple brands with separate websites for each. Unfortunately,  one settlement will not cover all future legal actions.  In 2018, 21 percent of all ADA web accessibility actions were filed against restaurants that had been previously listed in a suit. Some restaurant holding companies have been sued seven times or more over 2017 and 2018.   ## What can a restaurant brand do to prevent or mitigate a lawsuit threat?  When restaurants make digital accessibility a priority, they will not only avoid legal action, but increase their customer base, improve morale, and become an inspiration to others in the industry. **1. Create a plan and tell the world.** Companies should involve legal counsel and key stakeholders from each department who create and maintain their digital properties. Our popular blog post on [how to craft an accessibility statement](https://blog.usablenet.com/when-and-how-to-write-an-accessibility-statement-and-policy-blog) is a good starting point for this.  **2. Start accessibility remediation.** This is crucial whether you in a lawsuit, have recently settled, or are lucky enough to have avoided legal action. The plan should cover your website and mobile apps. No matter your technical skills, UsableNet has you covered for accessibility remediation. [Take our Website Accessibility Remediation Quiz: Which Approach Is Right for Me?](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz) **3. Involve members of the disability community.** Ensure your site navigation and user flows are accessible to the widest possible audience by using both an automated test and manual screen reader verification provided by experienced accessibility reviewers or daily users of assistive technology.  [Related: How and Why to Design your Site for Screen Reader Compatibility \[Blog Post\]](https://blog.usablenet.com/how-why-design-your-site-for-screen-reader-compatibility) **4. Maintain accessibility.** With UsableNet Assistive, we shoulder the burden of monitoring your site and dynamically remediate any issues. If these duties fall to your team, our [free tool kit on Maintaining Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/maintaining-accessibility-tool-sheet-0) may help.  For more on this topic, register to watch the Webinar recording here.  ![](https://play.vidyard.com/HW9P5FXyuEQFRuM7csAW9a.jpg) As a hospitality brand, you know that changes in taste can have an immediate and profound effect on your business. Your digital accessibility goes beyond individual preference and speaks to a higher standard of service, one that embraces people of all abilities. Start by knowing the landscape, as laid out in our 2018 ADA Web Accessibility Lawsuit Recap Report. [![Download the full 2018 report here >>](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3280432/cc0c65c4-75f2-47a1-b36f-cc780ffa74ff.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3280432/cc0c65c4-75f2-47a1-b36f-cc780ffa74ff) ready to get started? Contact us to book your free Website Accessibility consultation. [![Request a Free Consultation and Website Review](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3280432/bc79a8bd-f3a7-4031-9724-339df39996cd.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3280432/bc79a8bd-f3a7-4031-9724-339df39996cd) ![Jason Taylor, Chief Innovation Strategist](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Reuploads%20-%20SEO/Jason%20Taylor.png) ### [Jason Taylor, Chief Innovation Strategist](https://blog.usablenet.com/author/jason-taylor) Jason C. Taylor is the Chief Innovation Strategist and Advisor to the UsableNet CEO with over 20 years of experience in usability and accessibility. Jason is a global technology thought leader for multichannel customer engagement, actively advising leading companies on how to extend their brands across multiple channels for all users. He has been an active member of the accessibility and usability communities since 2001, which started with leading partnerships between UsableNet, Macromedia (now Adobe), and The Nielsen Norman Group. - - - - ### Related posts ![Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-check-in-and-in-stay-barriers-for-blind-guests) Jul 15, 2026 ![Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-browsing-room-options) Jul 14, 2026 ![Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Registration%20-%20Midyear%20Report.png) [Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/inside-the-2026-midyear-numbers-where-digital-accessibility-litigation-is-going) Jul 8, 2026 ![The Low-Cost Moves That Strengthen an ADA Website Defense](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/The%20Low-Cost%20Moves%20That%20Strengthen%20an%20ADA%20Website%20Defense.png) [The Low-Cost Moves That Strengthen an ADA Website Defense](https://blog.usablenet.com/the-low-cost-moves-that-strengthen-an-ada-website-defense) Jun 16, 2026 ### Sign Up for the UsableNet Blog ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-check-in-and-in-stay-barriers-for-blind-guests) Jul 15, 2026 ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-browsing-room-options) Jul 14, 2026 ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Registration%20-%20Midyear%20Report.png) [Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/inside-the-2026-midyear-numbers-where-digital-accessibility-litigation-is-going) Jul 8, 2026 ### Posts by Topic - [Web Accessibility (311)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/web-accessibility) - [User Experience (113)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/user-experience) - [ADA Lawsuits (45)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ada-lawsuits) - [ADA Website Compliance (38)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ada-website-compliance) - [European Accessibility Act (34)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/european-accessibility-act) - [Mobile Web (30)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/mobile-web) - [Mobile Apps (27)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/mobile-apps) - [Retail (27)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/retail) ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Consultation%20Icon.svg) Need to improve digital usability, accessibility or performance? We can help. [Partner with us. 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Stay up-to-date on our insights, the latest tech news and digital trends. ![International Association of Accessibility Professionals logo](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/IAAP-logo.png?width=150&height=81&name=IAAP-logo.png) © 2026 UsableNet Inc. ![International Association of Accessibility Professionals logo](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/IAAP-logo.png?width=150&height=81&name=IAAP-logo.png) © 2026 UsableNet Inc. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Jason Taylor, Chief Innovation Strategist", "url" : "https://blog.usablenet.com/author/jason-taylor" }, "dateModified" : "2023-08-09T18:11:40.732Z", "datePublished" : "2019-11-22T16:44:41.000Z", "headline" : "How the ADA Applies to Restaurant and Hospitality Websites", "image" : [ "https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/GettyImages-1035507788.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.usablenet.com/how-the-ada-applies-to-restaurant-and-hospitality-websites", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/UsableNet%20Logo_Black.png" }, "name" : "UsableNet Inc." } } ```