Accessibility Lawsuits are Expensive, and Universal Design Can Prevent Them
Let’s be blunt: ADA lawsuits aren’t cheap. They’re increasingly common, expensive headaches for businesses of all sizes. And they’re the perfect reminder that universal design shouldn’t be an afterthought.
Here’s the tough reality: waiting for a lawsuit to address design flaws is like waiting for a leak to fix your roof—it always ends up costing more and causing more damage.
The Rising Tide of ADA Lawsuits
In 2023 alone, more than 8200 ADA Title III federal lawsuits were filed. California, New York, and Florida lead the pack, but no business, big or small, is immune. Most of these issues could have been prevented with universal design from the start.
The Real Price of Reactive Fixes
Settlements might start small, but the true cost balloons fast. Once you add legal fees, court costs, remediation, and mandatory training it becomes a six- or seven-figure headache.
- In 2008, the University of Michigan faced a lawsuit over inadequate wheelchair-accessible seating and amenities at Michigan Stadium. They settled, agreed to add 329 wheelchair seats by 2010, and had to upgrade restrooms, concessions, and parking. If universal design had guided those initial renovations, this costly scramble could have been avoided.
- Los Angeles’s $1.4 billion sidewalk settlement shows just how expensive ignoring access needs can become. Starting with universal design would have saved time, money, and public trust
The Hidden Costs No One Talks About
Beyond the checks you write, there’s your reputation. Lawsuits erode trust, disrupt operations, and drain focus. When design works for everyone from the start, your spaces run smoother and your brand stands stronger.
Universal Design: More Than Compliance
Universal design isn’t about ticking off legal boxes. It’s about creating environments that simply work—efficiently, safely, and intuitively—for as many people as possible. ADA sets the floor; universal design sets the vision and the future.
Proactive design choices like regular audits, smart training, and thoughtful upgrades aren’t just good practice. They’re good business.
So, do you really want to wait for a lawsuit to force your hand? Or do you want to lead with a design approach that keeps you ahead of problems and ahead of the curve?
If you’re ready to be more strategic, let’s work on it together this summer.
P.S. Want to go deeper?
On Tuesday, July 15, I will be a panelist at the breakout session “Global Best Practices: Inclusive Design, Accessibility and the Built Environment” at the Disability:IN Conference.
I’ll be joined by leaders from Comcast NBCUniversal, Accenture, and Oracle to share how to make workplaces around the world healthier, safer, and more productive — and how to get leadership on board.
It’s a session you won’t want to miss, moderated by Nidhi Chaudhary, the Global Head of Culture & Community at CSL. Catch us in Coastal A, Level 2, from 10:00am to 11:15am.
