ADA & WCAG 2.1 AA VALIDATION

Validate WCAG 2.1 AA compliance before the lawyers do

US courts cite WCAG 2.1 Level AAas the benchmark for ADA website compliance. Scrutia tests every success criterion in a real browser — in 5 minutes.

Validate my site now

Free scan · Full report for $499 · No credit card

4,600+
ADA web lawsuits in 2023
$25K+
Average settlement cost
5 min
Scrutia audit duration

Is your website ADA-compliant?Most businesses don't know until they get sued.

In 5 minutes, Scrutia tests your site against every WCAG 2.1 AA success criterion— the same standard the DOJ and federal courts cite for ADA compliance. Fix issues before a demand letter arrives.

Real browser testing · Keyboard navigation · ARIA validation

Automated WCAG validation vs manual audit

A full manual accessibility audit by a certified expert costs $5,000–$25,000 and takes 2–4 weeks. Scrutia's automated WCAG validation covers the same success criteria in 5 minutes for $499.

Use it as standalone evidence of good-faith ADA compliance efforts, or as a pre-audit to reduce the cost of a manual review. Either way, you fix technical issues before a plaintiff finds them.

Scrutia ($499)Manual audit
MethodAutomated (AI + real browser)Certified human expert
StandardWCAG 2.1 AA (all success criteria)WCAG 2.1 AA
Duration5 minutes2 to 4 weeks
CostFree / $499$5,000 to $25,000
ResultScore + technical report + fix codeAccessibility statement
Use caseADA compliance evidence, pre-auditFull legal compliance

What Scrutia validates

Every WCAG 2.1 AA success criterion — the standard cited in ADA enforcement.

Real keyboard navigation

Full Tab traversal in a real browser. Detection of keyboard traps, invisible focus, non-functional ARIA components — the issues that trigger ADA lawsuits.

Dynamic interaction testing

Clicks, menu opening, Escape key, tab panels. Scrutia interacts with your page like a real user — not just static HTML analysis.

AI-powered context analysis

Link purpose, language attributes, heading structure: AI analyzes semantic context instead of applying binary rules.

Why WCAG validation matters for ADA compliance

The ADA does not specify a technical standard for websites. But US courts, the DOJ, and plaintiff attorneys all rely on WCAG 2.1 Level AAas the benchmark. The DOJ's April 2024 final rule (28 CFR Part 35) formally adopted WCAG 2.1 AA for state and local government websites — reinforcing it as the standard for all ADA web compliance.

Over 4,600 ADA website lawsuitswere filed in 2023. The median settlement ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 — plus $25,000–$100,000+ in legal fees. Demand letters targeting small businesses are increasingly common.

A documented WCAG 2.1 AA audit demonstrates good-faith compliance efforts. It won't guarantee immunity, but it significantly reduces legal exposure and strengthens your position in settlement negotiations.

Related reading: the ADA Compliance Checker, our ADA vs WCAG guide, and what to do if you receive a demand letter.

WCAG validation FAQ

How do I validate my site's WCAG compliance for ADA purposes?
Run an automated WCAG 2.1 AA audit. Scrutia tests every success criterion in a real browser — keyboard navigation, ARIA, colour contrast, form labels, focus management. Because US courts cite WCAG 2.1 AA as the ADA benchmark, a Scrutia report directly addresses your legal exposure.
Is automated testing enough for ADA compliance?
Automated testing catches the majority of technical WCAG violations — the same issues plaintiff attorneys use to build ADA lawsuits. Scrutia covers 100% of WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria. For full legal protection, pair the technical audit with an accessibility statement and ongoing remediation.
What's the difference between WCAG validation and a manual accessibility audit?
A manual audit by a certified expert costs $5,000–$25,000 and takes 2–4 weeks. Scrutia's automated WCAG validation covers the same success criteria in 5 minutes for $499. It identifies issues before a manual audit, reducing cost and duration — or serves as standalone evidence of good-faith compliance efforts.
How much does WCAG validation cost?
Scrutia offers a free single-page scan (score + 3 critical issues). The $499 multi-page audit tests 10 key pages against all WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria and includes a detailed PDF report with fix code. Compare that to $5,000–$25,000 for a manual audit.
Can a Scrutia validation report help if I receive an ADA demand letter?
Yes. A recent WCAG 2.1 AA audit demonstrates good-faith compliance efforts and can support settlement negotiations. The report documents which issues were identified, when, and what fixes were applied. Consult an attorney for legal strategy — Scrutia provides the technical evidence.

Have more questions? Check our ADA compliance cost guide or contact us.

Validate your ADA compliance before a demand letter does

One audit. Every WCAG 2.1 AA success criterion. The same standard courts cite for ADA compliance.

Run my WCAG audit now

Free scan · Full report for $499

No credit card required · Results in 5 minutes