How to Choose the Right ADA Accessibility Vendor: 8 Questions to Ask Before You Commit

Digital accessibility is no longer optional. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), digital content is expected to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. That means your organization is responsible for creating online experiences that everyone can use — regardless of ability.

As accessibility becomes a bigger priority, more vendors are jumping in to offer compliance solutions. But here’s the catch: some vendors overpromise and underdeliver. From automated-only tools to vague claims of “ADA compliance”, it’s not always clear who you can trust — or what you’re actually getting.

That’s why asking the right questions is so important before choosing an accessibility service. Whether you’re in the early stages of evaluating vendors or narrowing down your list, the questions below will help you spot red flags, clarify expectations, and choose a vendor set up to support lasting accessibility.

Why Choosing the Right Vendor Matters

Getting accessibility wrong isn’t just a bad look — it can put you in legal trouble. ADA-related lawsuits are rising every year, and digital experiences are under more scrutiny than ever. If your webpages, mobile apps, online documents, or digital products aren’t accessible, your organization could face serious legal, financial, and reputational risks. 

That’s why committing to ongoing accessibility is so important. Real compliance with the ADA takes more than just running an automated scan or installing a plugin. It requires the right mix of technology, hands-on expertise, and a long-term strategy to keep digital accessibility baked into your workflow.

More simply: Website accessibility isn’t a quick fix — and you shouldn’t partner with someone offering one. The right vendor won’t just sell you software. They’ll help you understand where your barriers are, guide you through how to fix accessibility issues, and give you the tools and support to maintain accessibility compliance over time.

Illustration of a person thinking beside a web interface with WCAG, UX labels, and accessibility icons on a red background.

8 Questions to Ask ADA Accessibility Vendors to Find the Right One

Now that you understand how important finding an ADA accessibility vendor is, let’s dive into the top questions to ask each one.

1. Do you combine automated and expert testing?

Automated testing is a great starting point — but it shouldn’t be the only tool in your accessibility toolbox. Most automated tools can only detect common accessibility issues, meaning if a vendor relies on automation-only approaches or only offers accessibility consulting, they’re likely missing critical barriers that affect real users. 

Manual testing is what fills the gaps. It allows human experts — and ideally individuals with disabilities — to identify issues that automation can’t catch, like keyboard traps, screen reader confusion, or poor color contrast, in real-world usage.

The most effective vendors combine both approaches. Look for someone who pairs automated scans with expert audits from accessibility experts. This blended model gives you broader coverage, helps ensure conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines(opens in a new tab) (WCAG), and makes your site more usable for everyone. 

Want to see where else automation-only approaches fall short? Check out our automation-only comparison page here.

2. Can you provide documentation that maps fixes to ADA requirements and WCAG guidelines?

You need more than a list of accessibility errors — you need clear documentation that shows what was tested, what was fixed, and how those fixes align with WCAG standards and ADA requirements.

This level of detail matters. It gives your team visibility into your accessibility progress, helps with internal compliance tracking, and can serve as critical evidence if you ever need to demonstrate a good-faith effort in response to a legal complaint. 

Ask potential vendors if they provide reports after accessibility audits, issue logs, or compliance dashboards that clearly map technical fixes back to specific WCAG guidelines or other accessibility requirements. If they can’t provide that level of transparency, you won’t have much to stand on should you ever face legal trouble.

3. Do you offer ongoing monitoring and maintenance — not just a one-time audit?

ADA compliance is not just a one-time project. Your website and content are constantly evolving — and so are user expectations, assistive technologies, and accessibility standards. A one-time audit might help you catch issues today, but it won’t keep you compliant in the long run. 

That’s why ongoing monitoring is essential. You need a vendor who can track new issues as they arise, flag new issues, and help you stay ahead of accessibility gaps before they become problems. 

Look for a provider that provides more than just a report. The best vendors offer continuous testing, maintenance support, and tools to help your team manage accessibility over time. It’s not just about checking a box — it’s about building a process that lasts. 

4. How do you involve individuals with disabilities in your accessibility testing processes? 

You're not getting the full picture if real users aren’t part of the process. Vendors that test with people who use assistive technologies (including screen readers) every day are far more likely to catch the kinds of usability issues that automated tools can miss. 

Ask vendors if they include people with disabilities in their testing workflows — and how often. The more user perspective involved, the more usable and accessible the final experience will be. It’s one of the most effective ways to ensure your digital content actually provides an accessible user experience. 

5. Can you help me fix issues — not just identify them?

Finding accessibility problems is only half the job. If a vendor hands you a long list of accessibility issues without any guidance or support on how to fix them, you’re stuck doing the heavy lifting — and if your team doesn’t have the accessibility expertise, that can lead to delays, mistakes, or worse, non-compliance.

Look for a vendor that offers hands-on support for fixing accessibility issues — whether directly fixing issues, advising your development team, or providing clear, actionable guidance. Accessibility isn’t about just what’s wrong — it’s about what to do next. The right vendor will help you bridge the gap between audit and action.

Learn more about the limitations of consulting-only approaches here.

6. What kind of training or education do they offer your internal team?

A good vendor won’t just fix issues for you and walk away. They’ll take the time to educate your internal teams so you can create and maintain accessible, compliant content moving forward. 

Ask vendors what type of accessibility training they offer: Is it just a one-off session, or do they provide ongoing education, documentation, and resources or deliverables tailored to your team’s role — whether that’s developers, designers, content creators, or compliance leads? 

When your team understands the “why” and “how” behind what creates an accessible website, you’re in a much better position to make it part of your everyday workflow — and stay compliant over time.

7. Can your solution scale across all my digital content, including mobile apps, PDFs, and videos?

One of the most important things to understand about ADA compliance: It doesn’t stop at your website. Your digital content likely includes mobile apps, digital documents, videos, and other content types — all of which must be accessible.

Many vendors only focus on websites, leaving you at risk for ADA non-compliance. True compliance means addressing every touchpoint your users might encounter. Ask how the vendor handles complex content like downloadable documents, multimedia, and native mobile apps. Do they provide testing, fixes, or tools for those formats?

The right vendor will have solutions that scale — not just across your homepage, but across your entire digital ecosystem.

8. Do you provide support if I receive an ADA complaint or legal notice?

Even with a proactive approach to accessibility, complaints can still happen. The question is: Will the vendor stand with you if you do?

Some providers offer compliance statements, documentation like accessibility policies, or even direct legal support to help you respond to an ADA demand letter or lawsuit. Others go silent the moment things get complicated. 

Take AudioEye, for example. If you receive a demand letter or are facing an accessibility lawsuit, AudioEye will evaluate the claim against you to debunk the alleged issues. We’ll also implement expert fixes through our JavaScript to resolve the issue and deliver a technical report detailing the problems fixed. Our team of experts will support you throughout the entire process, giving you peace of mind that you’re backed by experts. 

Ask vendors upfront what kind of support they offer if you’re challenged legally. Understanding this can save you time, stress, and risk down the line — and ensure you’re not left handling it alone.

Open laptop showing a man wearing glasses; a magnifying glass over an error icon is in the upper left-hand corner and a gear shaft with the accessibility symbol is in the bottom right-hand corner.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Not all ADA accessibility vendors are created equal — and some can do more harm than good. As you evaluate your options, look for red flags that may signal a lack of depth, transparency, or long-term support.

Some red flags to look out for include:

• Vague promises like “100% ADA compliant”: If a vendor claims full compliance without explaining how they get there — or what standards they’re using — be cautious. There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution, and accessibility is never truly “done.”

• Purely automated solutions with no human review: Automation has its place, but without hands-on testing from accessibility individuals — and especially from individuals with disabilities — you’re likely missing critical issues that affect real users. If there’s no mention of human expertise, that’s a major gap.

• No documentation or an unclear fix process: A credible vendor should be able to show you exactly what was tested, what needs fixing, and how to fix it — all tied to WCAG criteria. If that process is fuzzy or hidden behind a dashboard without explanation, think twice. 

• No post-launch support or education: Accessibility is an ongoing process. If a vendor disappears after the audit, leaves your team to figure out fixes alone, or offers zero training, you’re not getting the partnership you need for long-term success. 

The bottom line: If something feels vague, rushed, or overly simplified — it probably is. A trustworthy accessibility partner will be transparent, thorough, and ready to support you beyond the initial sale. 

Don’t Just Buy a Tool. Choose a True Accessibility Solution

Choosing the right accessibility vendor goes beyond just ticking boxes — it’s about protecting your organization, building better digital experiences, and making a real impact for users with disabilities. 

Asking the right questions upfront saves you time, reduces your legal risk, and sets your team up for long-term success. You avoid the quick fixes and empty promises — and instead, partner with someone who can help you do accessibility the right way. 

At AudioEye, we don’t just offer tools. We help you achieve industry-leading compliance with the ADA and other accessibility laws through a three-pronged approach to accessibility. By combining powerful automation, human-assisted AI technology, and testing throughout the web development process, you can detect and fix errors in half the time and for much less. Plus, with AudioEye Assurance, you’ll enjoy legal protection up to 400% better than consulting or automation-only approaches. 

Want to see how AudioEye outperforms other accessibility solutions and testing tools? Check out our comparison page.

Ready to see how accessible your existing content is? Use our free Web Accessibility Checker or schedule a demo with our team — and take the next step toward accessibility done right.