It is not explicitly against ADA compliance to have a website without a built-in text reader, but your website must still be accessible to people with disabilities, including those who use assistive technologies like screen readers.

Here’s what that means in practical terms:

✅ ADA Compliance Requirements (in general):

  • Your site must be compatible with screen readers (not necessarily provide one).

  • It should have:

    • Proper heading structure

    • Alt text on images

    • Descriptive link text

    • Keyboard navigability

    • Contrast ratios for readability

    • Form field labels, etc.

❌ What’s NOT Required:

  • You are not required to embed a text-to-speech tool directly on your site (like those "click to read" widgets).

  • ADA compliance is focused on accessibility, not the inclusion of specific tools.


⚖️ Bottom Line:

As long as your website is coded properly and works well with assistive technologies that users bring with them (like JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver), you're likely meeting the ADA’s expectations—even without a built-in text reader.


Why are others telling me I need a reader? 


Marketers like to sell based on fear. They are simply trying to pit you against your website developer with the hopes that you'll use them. 


Someone told me I'm non-compliant. How can I make sure I'm in compliance, if I don't want to take your word for it? 

Talk to an attorney. However, please know some ADA compliance attorneys have financial relationships with marketing agencies.  If they give you any specific recommendations, you're welcome to forward them to us to analyze and implement. It's highly unlikely an attorney would recommend or advise or mandate a website reader. 



What if I still want a website reader on my website? 

The vast majority of website readers are installed on the user-level, meaning they're a browser plugin installed on individual devices. There are a few that you can purchase to install. As of 2025, the cost ranges from $490 - $1490 annually. https://userway.org/pricing/?tab=accessibilitywidget

If you'd like to purchase this, you can and our team can install it for you. 


Will my Identity Dental Marketing Website be ADA Compliant?



Sources: 

Sources from 2024 and 2025 regarding ADA compliance and website accessibility:

  1. ADA.gov: Final Rule on Web Accessibility for State and Local Governments

    This fact sheet outlines the Department of Justice's final rule, which requires state and local government websites and mobile apps to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.


  2. ADA.gov: Small Entity Compliance Guide

    A guide to help small state and local governments understand and comply with the new web accessibility requirements under Title II of the ADA.


  3. W3C: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview

    An overview of the WCAG standards, including versions 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2, which provide guidelines for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities.


  4. Accessible.org: Understanding WCAG 2.1 AA for ADA Title II Compliance

    A detailed explanation of WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements and their implications for ADA Title II compliance.


  5. Accessible.org: ADA Website Compliance Guide

    A plain English guide outlining the legal requirements, technical standards, and best practices for ADA website compliance as of January 2025.