When we think about web accessibility, most people picture large corporations, e-commerce platforms, public agencies, or high-traffic websites. But in reality, small business owners ask one of the most practical questions: as a sole proprietor or micro-enterprise with low income, am I actually required to make my website accessible?
It's an important question because digital accessibility isn't just a technical website issue. It sits at the intersection of legal obligation, business responsibility, the rights of people with disabilities, and genuine uncertainty among small business owners about what's actually required of them.
Let's be clear from the start: There are situations where a small business may indeed be exempt from making their website accessible. For instance, a sole proprietor generally isn't required to make their website accessible. Similarly, an authorized business with low revenue that meets certain conditions may qualify for an exemption. But—and this is an important but—exemption from web accessibility doesn't automatically mean exemption from all accessibility obligations.
That's exactly where clarity is needed.
Sole Proprietors and Websites—What You Actually Need to Know
If you're a sole proprietor, that's great. In many cases, sole proprietors aren't legally required to make their websites accessible under the regulations. In other words, if you have a small branding site showcasing your services, contact details, a gallery, or a few information pages, you likely don't need to undergo a full website accessibility audit.
The reasoning is straightforward: lawmakers recognized that small businesses can't bear the same financial burden as large enterprises, established companies, or organizations running complex platforms. So exemptions exist for certain small businesses meeting specific criteria—designed to lighten their load without imposing costs that don't match their business scale.
That said, exemption doesn't mean ignorance is bliss. Being a sole proprietor doesn't give you permission to ignore accessibility entirely or assume everything's fine. It's worth verifying your status, understanding if you truly meet the exemption criteria, and ensuring it's properly documented.
What About Authorized Businesses with Low Revenue?
This gets more nuanced. Some professionals can't be sole proprietors, even if their actual income is relatively low. For example, a lawyer doing small projects and earning modest income still must be an authorized business by nature of their profession.
That's why we can't just ask "Are you a sole proprietor or authorized business?" We also look at revenue scale. Someone might be classified as an authorized business but have annual revenue low enough to potentially qualify for an accessibility exemption—subject to relevant conditions.
The logic is clear: Not every authorized business is inherently large. Some professionals are categorized as authorized businesses for legal or professional reasons, yet their actual operations are quite limited. So it's crucial to examine the specific circumstances rather than relying on business classification alone.
Exemption from Website Accessibility ≠ Exemption from All Accessibility Obligations
This might be the most important point in this entire article.
Being exempt from making your website accessible doesn't mean you're exempt from all accessibility matters. Accessibility doesn't begin and end with a website. It can also apply to the services you provide, the physical location where you meet clients, how you communicate with people with disabilities, and other obligations that might apply based on the nature of your business.
Take a cosmetologist operating from home as an example. Suppose she's a sole proprietor with a small website she's not required to make accessible. Now a deaf client books an appointment. Does the website exemption mean she has zero accessibility obligations? Not necessarily.
There may be other legal requirements still applying to her. She might need to understand how to provide accessible service, enable adapted communication, or meet accessibility standards based on the service type and where it's delivered. So don't conflate exemption from website accessibility with blanket exemption from every accessibility responsibility.
So Exactly What Is a Small Business Exempt From?
When discussing website accessibility exemptions for small businesses, we need to be precise with terminology.
The relevant exemption for small businesses typically concerns the financial burden of making a website accessible. In other words, the law allows certain businesses meeting specific revenue or status thresholds to skip the full website accessibility process.
But this exemption doesn't mean you can delete accessibility from the conversation entirely. It also doesn't mean you're off the hook for explaining your site's accessibility status to the public. In fact, even when exempt, it's appropriate—and advisable—to display an accessibility statement on your website.
In an accessibility statement, you can note that your site is exempt from accessibility requirements under applicable regulations and explain why. This way, visitors understand your site's status, and you demonstrate transparency and compliance.
Why Include an Accessibility Statement If You're Exempt?
An accessibility statement isn't just for large enterprises or fully accessible sites. Even a small business exempt from accessibility can—and should—explain its situation. If your site remains unmodified because you qualify for an exemption, state that clearly.
Such a statement protects both your users and your business in potential legal situations. Instead of leaving your site with no accessibility mention, you openly disclose your status upfront, explain the exemption, and show you're following regulations rather than ignoring them.
As we like to say: accessibility is fundamentally a right. Even with a website exemption, it's worth taking the subject seriously, transparently, and responsibly. That's the right approach both toward the public and as prudent business practice.
How to Back Up Your Exemption Properly
Since exemptions often hinge on revenue thresholds or business status, don't rely on saying "I'm a small business, so I'm exempt." That might be true, but it needs documentation.
Our recommendation: contact a certified accountant and ask them to conduct a thorough review.
An accountant can verify whether your business met the exemption threshold over the past three years. For example: Were you a sole proprietor throughout that period? Did your annual revenue stay below the relevant cap?
After the review, your accountant can provide a signed, formal letter documenting the findings. This way, if someone later challenges your site's accessibility status, you can present a formal document showing the review date, your qualifying status, and the data supporting your exemption claim.
Remember: The Exemption Isn't Permanent
One critical point: exemptions aren't a one-time check-and-forget situation. If you've verified your exemption status and received approval, it's valid for a limited forward period.
After three years, you must verify again. Your business may have grown, revenue may have changed, your business status may have shifted, or circumstances may have evolved. If so, the exemption might no longer apply, and you'd need to reassess your accessibility obligations.
That's why systematic management matters. Keep your accountant's letter, note the review date, update your accessibility statement accordingly, and conduct a fresh review every three years.
Running a Small Business? Don't Assume You're Exempt—Get a Professional Review
Web accessibility for small businesses may seem straightforward at first glance, but there are subtle distinctions worth understanding. A sole proprietor might be exempt from web accessibility. An authorized business with modest revenue might also meet certain exemption conditions. Yet exemption from website accessibility doesn't automatically exempt you from other accessibility duties.
That's where professional review becomes essential—not just on the technical website side, but also from business, service, and legal angles:
- What type of business do you operate?
- Where do you provide your service?
- Do you serve the public?
- Are there additional obligations that apply to your business?
- Is your exemption backed by formal documentation?
- Do you have an accessibility statement on your site?
When in doubt, don't guess. Before concluding your site is exempt and moving on, consult a professional. That way you'll know what's truly required of you, avoid unnecessary exposure, and operate correctly, responsibly, and methodically.
Consult With Us
Do you run a small website and aren't sure if you're required to make it accessible? Are you a sole proprietor, authorized business with low revenue, or professional service provider wanting to understand your real obligations?
User Accessibility is here to help. We can review your site's status, explain what an exemption actually means, guide you on accessibility statements, and help you understand the right path forward for your business. Get in touch by phone or submit a contact form.