Website accessibility is no longer just a best practice—it’s a legal requirement. Many special districts are finding themselves caught in unexpected and costly ADA compliance lawsuits. While website accessibility tools and widgets promise easy solutions, they often fall short, leaving districts vulnerable to legal challenges.
Mac Clemmens, CEO of Streamline, has been actively involved in helping special districts navigate these challenges. Recently, he shared a real-world example of how one district faced an ADA lawsuit over a non-compliant website they were in the process of transitioning. They had invested in an accessibility widget, assuming they were covered, only to find that it failed to meet legal standards. With the help of expert legal counsel, they were able to reduce their settlement from $17,500 (originally demanded) to $5,000 to $2,500—but this case highlights an important lesson: automated accessibility solutions are not enough to mitigate risk.
Mac also noted another case in which a request for accommodation escalated into a full legal complaint involving not just the district, but the county and a related government agency. Because the district acted quickly and had a structured compliance process in place, they avoided paying any legal fees.
The Growing Risk of ADA Website Lawsuits
Website accessibility lawsuits are increasing at an alarming rate. One legally blind athlete alone has filed over 175 lawsuits against organizations with inaccessible websites (Palm Beach Post). The 2023 Annual ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuit Report confirms that thousands of businesses and government agencies are being targeted (EcomBack).
For special districts, this trend is particularly concerning. Even if your district doesn’t intentionally exclude individuals with disabilities, accessibility widgets and low-cost website providers may fail to fully meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), increasing your legal risk.
What to Consider When Choosing a Website Provider
Not all website providers are created equal when it comes to accessibility. Some offer low-cost solutions that lack customization, accessibility expertise, and reliable customer support. Here are key factors to consider:
AI Isn’t Perfect—And That’s Okay
Here’s the thing: AI isn’t flawless. Sometimes it can misinterpret information or make mistakes. That’s why it’s critical to keep a human in the loop. Think of AI as your over-eager intern—it can do a lot, but it still needs your guidance to ensure accuracy and professionalism. As a matter of fact, all the images in this blog were created by AI. That's right—AI talking about AI, illustrated by AI. 🤖
And let’s not forget about ethics and security. AI tools rely on data,
and it’s up to you to use
Best Practices for AI Use in Special Districts
Provide practical tips on using AI responsibly:
Streamline + AI: A Match Made for Special Districts
AI should work for you—not the other way around. We’re exploring ways to integrate AI into our platform, giving districts the tools they need to communicate better, work smarter, and serve their communities more effectively.
Want to see how AI can transform your district’s operations? Let us guide you through the possibilities. It’s all about using technology to make your life easier while keeping the human connection front and center, because robots are great, but they’re no substitute for you.
Ready to dive deeper? Check out Streamline’s YouTube channel for the webinar “ AI: Opportunities and Risks for Districts” —your guide to smarter, more efficient operations: