Legal tech accessibility is about making legal software, client portals, documents, and services usable by everyone — including people with disabilities. From what I’ve seen, many firms think accessibility is a checkbox: run a scanner, fix a few errors, move on. That rarely cuts it. This article walks through the why, the how, and the practical steps law firms and vendors should take to build inclusive legal tech that meets users’ needs and regulatory expectations.
Why accessibility matters for legal tech
Access to justice depends on access to information. If a court portal, contract review tool, or client intake form isn’t usable by someone who relies on a screen reader or keyboard navigation, that person is effectively excluded.
Legal tech accessibility boosts client trust, reduces legal risk, and expands your market. And yes, it often improves UX for all users.
Legal risk and compliance
Regulations and case law are evolving. The U.S. Department of Justice enforces the ADA for digital services, and other jurisdictions have similar expectations. See guidance from the ADA website for official context.
Business and ethical reasons
Accessible design equals better client relationships. Inclusive tools reduce support calls and speed up workflows. In my experience, teams that prioritize accessibility ship clearer interfaces.
Core principles of accessible legal tech
Start small, think systemically. These principles guide design and development:
- Perceivable: Information must be available to senses people use.
- Operable: Interfaces must work via keyboard and assistive tech.
- Understandable: Language and workflows should be clear.
- Robust: Content works across browsers, devices, and assistive tools.
These mirror the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are the de facto standard. Read the W3C’s WCAG resource: W3C WAI.
Where accessibility often fails in legal tech
Knowing common failure points helps prioritize fixes. Typical issues include:
- Poorly labeled form fields (client intake, billing)
- Scanned PDFs without readable text
- Complex table-heavy documents without semantic markup
- Dialogs and modals that trap keyboard users
- Inaccessible e-signature and video conferencing tools
Practical checklist for law firms and vendors
Here’s a short, usable checklist you can adopt. I’ve split items by priority.
Quick wins (1-4 weeks)
- Run automated scans, then prioritize manual fixes.
- Ensure all form fields have clear labels and error messages.
- Provide text alternatives for images and icons.
- Convert scanned PDFs into accessible PDFs or provide HTML alternatives.
Mid-term (1-3 months)
- Implement keyboard navigation and focus management.
- Review color contrast and typography for legibility.
- Create accessible templates for pleadings and contracts.
- Train client-facing staff on basic accessibility checks.
Strategic (3+ months)
- Embed accessibility into product roadmaps and procurement.
- Run user testing with people who use assistive tech.
- Adopt continuous monitoring and remediation processes.
Comparing document and interface accessibility
Sometimes you need a quick comparison to decide where to invest. This table helps.
| Area | Typical Issue | Business Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Client portal | Poor keyboard access, unlabeled controls | High: affects onboarding and payments |
| PDF pleadings | Scanned images without text, no tags | High: court access and client comprehension |
| Contract review tools | Non-semantic highlights, inaccessible tooltips | Medium: reduces efficiency for some users |
Real-world examples
Startup X (pseudonym) added accessible templates for client letters. Support requests dropped by 18% and intake completion rose. That’s the sort of tangible ROI people miss.
A county court portal I audited forced file uploads only as images. After remediation to allow searchable PDFs and HTML summaries, pro se litigants reported fewer filing errors.
Tools and testing methods
Use a mix of automated, manual, and user testing.
- Automated: Axe, WAVE, Lighthouse for quick scans.
- Manual: Keyboard-only checks, screen reader passes.
- User testing: Recruit participants who use assistive tech.
Also read background on assistive devices and users’ needs on Wikipedia’s Assistive Technology page.
Accessibility for legal documents and PDFs
PDFs are a huge pain point. A searchable, tagged PDF improves navigation for screen reader users.
- Add headings and bookmarks
- Tag tables and lists semantically
- Include a simple HTML summary when possible
Pro tip: Always keep master documents in accessible formats (Word or HTML) so exports to PDF are clean.
Procurement and vendor management
Buy accessible products. Don’t accept accessibility as a future promise. Ask vendors for:
- WCAG conformance level and test reports
- Accessibility roadmaps and remediation commitments
- References from clients with accessibility needs
Treat accessibility like security: include it in RFPs and SLAs.
Training and culture
Tools alone won’t fix accessibility. You need people who care. Train designers, developers, and paralegals on plain language, labeling, and testing.
From what I’ve seen, short workshops plus ongoing checklists work better than a single marathon training day.
Measuring success
Track both technical metrics and user outcomes:
- Number of WCAG violations by priority
- Support tickets from users with disabilities
- User satisfaction in accessibility-focused testing
Where to get official guidance and updates
Government resources and standards bodies provide the clearest guidance. The U.S. Department of Justice posts ADA materials at ADA.gov, and the W3C provides the WCAG guidance at W3C WAI. Both are valuable for policy and technical direction.
Next steps for your firm (action plan)
Start with a small, measurable project:
- Pick a client touchpoint (portal, intake, or contract templates).
- Run an automated scan and a keyboard/screen reader pass.
- Fix high-impact items and test with real users.
- Document the process and add accessibility to procurement policies.
Final thoughts
Accessibility in legal tech isn’t a one-off task. It’s ongoing design and governance. If you approach it iteratively and involve actual users, you’ll see benefits across client satisfaction, risk reduction, and operational efficiency. I think starting with documents and client-facing portals gives the fastest wins.
Further reading and references
For more context on accessibility principles, see the WCAG standards. For legal and regulatory perspective, consult U.S. ADA guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Legal tech accessibility means designing legal software, portals, and documents so people with disabilities can use them effectively, including compliance with standards like WCAG.
The ADA requires public accommodations to be accessible; courts and many legal services are covered. Firms should follow guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice and aim for WCAG conformance.
Documents used for public-facing information or filings should be accessible. That often means searchable, tagged PDFs or HTML alternatives so assistive tech can read them.
Quick wins include adding descriptive labels to form fields, providing alt text for images, ensuring keyboard navigation, and fixing major color contrast issues.
Combine automated tools (Lighthouse, Axe) with manual keyboard and screen reader testing, and include user testing with people who use assistive technologies.