Organize Your Evidence for an ADA Accessibility Claim
The ramp is missing. The website does not work with your screen reader. Your employer ignored three written accommodation requests. You know your rights were violated -- now you need the evidence organized so an investigator or judge can see it too. Photograph every barrier. Measure every step height. Document every denial.
- 42 U.S.C. section 12182 prohibits discrimination by private businesses that are places of public accommodation, covering restaurants, hotels, retail stores, theaters, and websites.
- 28 C.F.R. Part 36 requires public accommodations to remove architectural barriers where removal is readily achievable, considering the cost of removal relative to the business resources.
- EEOC charges for ADA Title I employment discrimination must be filed within 180 days of the discriminatory act, or 300 days if the state has a fair employment practices agency.
- Website accessibility lawsuits under ADA Title III grew from approximately 800 filings in 2017 to over 4,000 per year, with courts applying the WCAG 2.1 AA standard referenced by the DOJ.
- ADA Title III private lawsuits in federal court allow injunctive relief (barrier removal) but not compensatory damages -- state disability rights laws may provide additional monetary remedies.
- The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 broadened the definition of disability under 42 U.S.C. section 12102 to cover any impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.
- ExhibitPrep processes all documents in the browser -- medical records, EEOC filings, accommodation letters, and disability documentation are never uploaded to any server.
Preview free -- pay only when you download. $4.99 per session.
For people with disabilities and for the attorneys who represent them
For individuals filing ADA complaints
You have been denied access -- to a building, a website, a job, or a government service. You filed a complaint or plan to. The DOJ, EEOC, or court needs to see exactly what happened, backed by organized evidence.
- Label barrier photos and accommodation denials with exhibit numbers
- Combine EEOC filings, medical records, and correspondence into one binder
- Create a table of contents so investigators can reference evidence by number
- Keep sensitive medical records on your device -- nothing gets uploaded
For disability rights attorneys
You handle ADA cases across Title I, II, and III. Some involve a single inaccessible entrance. Others involve years of accommodation denials, expert accessibility audits, and hundreds of pages of medical records. Your exhibit prep needs to handle both.
- Batch stamp barrier photos, audit reports, and WCAG scan results in one session
- Build claim binders with table of contents organized by violation type
- Keep exhibit formatting consistent across your ADA caseload
- No server uploads -- client medical and employment records stay on device
ADA Claim Evidence Types
Barrier documentation and photos
- Photos of architectural barriers with tape measure visible
- Step heights, doorway widths, and counter heights vs. ADAAG standards
- Video of access attempts showing the barrier in real conditions
- Missing signage, blocked paths, and absent curb cuts
Accommodation requests and denials
- Written accommodation requests with dates and specific asks
- Employer or business denial letters and stated reasons
- Interactive process documentation (meetings, emails, follow-ups)
- Evidence of non-response after reasonable waiting period
Medical and disability documentation
- Medical records establishing qualifying disability
- Doctor letters specifying needed accommodations
- Assistive technology records (screen reader, wheelchair, hearing aid)
- Written impact statements describing how the barrier affected you
EEOC and DOJ complaint filings
- EEOC charge of discrimination (Title I employment claims)
- DOJ complaint and acknowledgment letter (Title II and III)
- Right-to-sue letter from EEOC
- State human rights commission filings
Web accessibility evidence
- Screenshots of inaccessible website elements
- WCAG 2.1 AA automated scan results with violation counts
- Screen reader output logs showing inaccessible interactions
- Before-and-after comparisons if remediation was partial
Employment records and expert reports
- Performance reviews before and after accommodation request
- Certified access specialist audit reports
- Cost estimates for barrier removal or accommodation
- Prior complaints or lawsuits against the same business
Medical records and disability documentation stay on your device
ExhibitPrep runs entirely in your browser. Medical diagnoses, EEOC charge forms, accommodation request letters, doctor notes about functional limitations, and employment records never touch a server. No cloud upload, no third-party storage, no account required. That matters when your documents contain medical diagnoses, psychiatric records, employment history, and disability status information.
When exhibit stamps may not be your priority
If your ADA issue is a single clear barrier and you are filing a DOJ complaint online, you can attach photos directly to the form without formal exhibit stamps. But if you are heading to court, building a case with an expert accessibility audit, or presenting evidence across multiple barriers and accommodation denials, numbered exhibits with a table of contents help the judge track each violation.
Free ADA accessibility claim exhibit checklist
Covers barrier photos and measurements, accommodation requests and denials, medical documentation, EEOC and DOJ filings, web accessibility evidence, and expert audit reports. Track what you have gathered and what you still need before your filing deadline.
Batch stamp ADA claim exhibits
Watch how to stamp multiple documents -- barrier photos, EEOC filings, accommodation letters, audit reports -- in a single session.
Get your ADA claim exhibits ready
Upload your barrier photos, accommodation records, and filing documents. Stamp them in minutes. $4.99 per session, no subscription required. Your files never leave your browser.
ADA accessibility claim evidence FAQ
What evidence do I need for an ADA accessibility complaint?
An ADA complaint requires documentation of the specific barrier (photos with measurements for physical barriers, screenshots and WCAG scan results for websites), proof of your qualifying disability under 42 U.S.C. section 12102, records of any accommodation requests and denials, and the impact the barrier had on your access to goods, services, or employment. For Title I employment claims filed with the EEOC, you also need the written accommodation request and the employer response.
What is the deadline for filing an ADA employment discrimination charge?
Under Title I of the ADA, you must file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission within 180 days of the discriminatory act. If your state has a fair employment practices agency, the deadline extends to 300 days. After the EEOC issues a right-to-sue letter, you have 90 days to file a lawsuit in federal court. Missing any of these deadlines can permanently bar your claim.
Can I file an ADA complaint about an inaccessible website?
Yes. Federal courts have increasingly held that websites of public accommodations must be accessible under ADA Title III. The Department of Justice has referenced WCAG 2.1 AA as the applicable standard. Website accessibility lawsuits have grown from roughly 800 filings in 2017 to over 4,000 per year. You do not need to show physical harm -- being unable to independently access goods and services through a website that sighted or hearing users can access is sufficient injury.
What is the difference between ADA Title II and Title III?
ADA Title II (42 U.S.C. section 12131) covers state and local government programs, services, and facilities. Title III (42 U.S.C. section 12182) covers private businesses that are places of public accommodation -- restaurants, hotels, retail stores, theaters, doctors offices, and websites. Title II complaints go to the DOJ or can be filed directly in court. Title III complaints also go to the DOJ, but private lawsuits under Title III allow only injunctive relief (barrier removal), not monetary damages, in federal court.
Are my medical records safe when using ExhibitPrep?
Yes. ExhibitPrep processes all files entirely in your browser. Medical records documenting your disability, EEOC charge forms, accommodation request letters, and doctor notes about functional limitations are never uploaded to any server. Your documents stay on your device from upload through download. This matters for ADA claimants handling sensitive medical diagnoses, employment records, and disability documentation.
Do I need a lawyer for an ADA complaint?
You can file a DOJ complaint or EEOC charge without a lawyer. The DOJ accepts complaints online at ada.gov, and the EEOC has field offices that help with charge filing. For federal lawsuits, many disability rights attorneys work on contingency or through fee-shifting provisions in the ADA. Whether you represent yourself or hire an attorney, organized and numbered exhibits make it easier for investigators and judges to evaluate your evidence.
Related resources
Pro Se ADA Claims Guide
Prepare ADA exhibits without an attorney
ADA Claims Exhibit Checklist
Free document checklist for accessibility claims
Whistleblower Claims Exhibits
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Whistleblower Checklist
Document checklist for retaliation claims
Batch Exhibit Stamping
Stamp multiple documents at once
Trial Binder Mode
Create binders with table of contents