Avoid Getting Sued: Website Accessibility Laws Translated

Lori Osborne • June 6, 2025

If you're a coach, consultant, speaker, or online entrepreneur, your website isn't just your business card—it's your digital handshake. It's how you show up, connect with your audience, and build trust online.

But what if your website is unintentionally excluding people?

On June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) officially goes into effect. This new law will have major implications for digital businesses, especially those offering services to clients in the European Union (even virtually). (And if you don't offer services to clients in the European Union, keep reading because there are still legal impacts for businesses in the United States!)

And yes, that includes you if you sell programs, courses, or coaching services online.

Let’s break down what the EAA is, who it applies to, what compliance looks like (especially for those in the United States), and why this moment is about more than just regulations - it’s about building an inclusive, professional, and trustworthy brand.

What Is the European Accessibility Act?

The European Accessibility Act is an EU-wide directive requiring certain goods and services - including websites, apps, and digital platforms - to be accessible to people with disabilities.

Its goal is to remove digital barriers for the over 135 million Europeans living with a disability. And while that number is massive, the impact is even bigger: the EAA is pushing for a more inclusive digital world across industries and borders.

Who Needs to Comply?

If you’re a business, organization, or entrepreneur who serves or markets to people in the EU (even if you're based elsewhere), this applies to you.

You’re expected to comply if you:

Sell courses, downloads, or memberships online
Offer virtual coaching or consulting
Host live or recorded webinars
Run a speaking business with global reach
Have an e-commerce component
Serve clients internationally - even digitally

In short: If your site is available to EU users and your services are accessible to them, the EAA matters to you.

But I only Market to People the United States...

In the United States, Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that businesses and nonprofits open to the public provide full and equal access to people with disabilities. While the original 1990 law doesn’t explicitly mention websites, the Department of Justice has clearly stated that it applies to websites of public accommodations. That includes features like online booking, digital forms, and service pages—anything that helps a customer engage with your business. The ADA requires that these digital interactions be usable by people who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, or other assistive technologies. Although there is still some legal gray area for smaller businesses without physical locations, the DOJ’s position is firm: all websites must be accessible. As a result, lawsuits are increasingly targeting digital platforms, with settlements ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 or more, a costly consequence for small businesses that aren’t paying attention.

In 2024, over 4,000 digital accessibility lawsuits were filed across state and federal courts. What’s shifting now is where these lawsuits are being filed. While federal cases remain significant, state-level filings are on the rise, particularly in New York and California. In New York alone, lawsuits can be filed against any website that a resident can access, regardless of where the business is based. The growing use of state-level laws like the California's Unruh Civil Rights Act and New York’s Human Rights Law signals a more aggressive and targeted approach to digital compliance enforcement. And troublingly, nearly half of federal lawsuits in 2024 were filed against businesses that had already been sued, showing that surface-level fixes and delayed action leave businesses vulnerable to repeated litigation.

What Counts as an “Accessible” Website?

Accessibility isn’t just about ticking a box. It’s about making your digital experience usable for everyone, including:

People with visual impairments who use screen readers
Users who navigate with a keyboard, not a mouse
Those with colorblindness, hearing impairments, or cognitive disabilities

To be compliant, your website needs to follow basic accessibility standards like:

Readable fonts and strong color contrast
Keyboard-friendly navigation
Proper heading structure (H1, H2, etc.)
Alt text for all images
Accessible forms and buttons
Clear, consistent layout and design

These align with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)—the same global standards used in ADA compliance here in the U.S.

Why Overlay Tools Can Create Even Bigger Risks

A key issue in many of the US-based lawsuits is the use of accessibility overlays or widgets - tools marketed as instant ADA compliance solutions. In reality, these overlays often introduce new problems: they interfere with screen readers, block keyboard navigation, and fail to correct core WCAG violations in the website’s code. In 2024, over 1,000 lawsuits specifically named overlays as part of the accessibility problem, not the solution. And in a landmark move, the Federal Trade Commission fined overlay provider accessiBe $1 million for deceptive practices, including false advertising and fake reviews. True accessibility requires more than a plugin. It takes manual WCAG audits, expert remediation, and an ongoing commitment to inclusive digital design. Quick fixes might feel convenient, but they put your brand, and your business, at legal and reputational risk.

What Happens If I Ignore This?

If you're not compliant and you operate (or sell) in the EU, you could face:

Fines or penalties
Required changes under tight deadlines
Legal challenges
Loss of trust or reputation

But even if you’re outside the EU, the bigger risk is lost opportunity. People can’t hire you, book you, or learn from you if your site isn’t usable for them.

And let’s be honest—a website that doesn’t reflect your values or serve your full audience isn’t doing its job.

What Should You Do Now?

If you’re not sure whether your website meets accessibility standards, you’re not alone. Most entrepreneurs and even many developers don’t realize what’s required until they’re already behind.

Here’s where to start:

Audit your website for accessibility.
Fix any red flags before June 28.
Get support if you need it.

Accessibility Is More Than Compliance - It’s a Strategic Brand Move

As a Brand Strategist and Website Developer, I help Thought Leaders clarify their message and build websites that don’t just look great - they work hard for your brand.

When we make your website accessible, we’re doing more than following regulations, we are:

Building trust with a broader, more diverse audience
Increasing visibility with search engines
Strengthening your credibility as a professional and a leader

I guide my clients through accessibility-informed strategy and design that reflects their authority and values - because your website should serve everyone it reaches, without exceptions. Let’s make sure your brilliance isn’t blocked by barriers.

Ready to Find Out Where You Stand?

I’m offering a limited number of Complimentary Website Accessibility Reviews to help you assess where your site stands and what changes (if any) you need to make.

✨ Click here to request your free 15-minute Website Accessibility Review

Let’s make sure your website is doing what it’s supposed to do - build your authority, attract aligned clients, serve your audience with clarity and integrity, and protect your business by staying aligned with today’s accessibility laws and standards.

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What is Branding... Really?

By Lori Osborne • May 18, 2025

Branding... If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what “branding” actually means (beyond logos and color palettes), you’re not alone. The word gets tossed around constantly - yet most people only understand a sliver of what it truly entails. So let’s clear the fog. Because true branding - done right - isn’t just pretty visuals. It’s the foundation of your authority and the gateway to attracting your dream clients online. ✨ First, What Branding Is Not Let’s start with the misconceptions I hear all the time: “I designed a logo in Canva, so I have a brand.” “Branding is just picking some fonts and colors, right?” “I don’t need branding; I just need a website.” Wrong. (And if you’ve said any of those before, you’re definitely not alone.) ✨ Branding Is the Soul of Your Business Your brand isn’t just your visuals. It’s the experience someone has when they interact with you - online or offline. Your true brand is made up of: Your Voice – How you communicate and connect emotionally Your Values – What you stand for and what drives you Your Story – The journey that led you here to serve your audience Your Visuals – Fonts, colors, logos, overall consistent design (YES, this still matters!) Your Positioning – What you’re known for and what sets you apart - your Authority Your Ideal Client – The specific type of person you are here to serve It’s how someone feels when they land on your website, hear you speak, or read your posts. It’s what makes them say, “Wow, they get me.” ✨ Why Branding Matters So Much More for Thought Leaders If you're a speaker, coach, consultant, or expert in your field, your brand is your reputation . But a powerful brand isn’t just something you have - it’s something you demonstrate in every space you’re in: Your website. Your social media. Your email signature. Your keynote talk. Your podcast. Even your DMs. So how do you make sure your brand shows up everywhere in a way that builds trust and credibility? Here’s how: Start with your Core Brand Message. Can you clearly say who you help, what you do, and why it matters - in one or two sentences? That message should anchor your About section, social bios, LinkedIn headline, speaker intro, and even your elevator pitch. No more rambling. No more vague jargon. Speak in your Brand Voice. Are you polished and powerful? Warm and conversational? Bold and challenging? Own it - and show up in that voice across every caption, talk, and reply. This helps people recognize you instantly (even before they see your face). Tell stories that align with your message. This is a big one. Whether you’re on stage, on Zoom, or on IG Stories - stories that tie back to your core values and your ideal audience’s struggles are what make you relatable and trustworthy. They move people from passive readers to active fans. Reinforce your authority with proof. Client results, speaking features, media logos, testimonials, frameworks - this is where your credibility comes in. These should be baked into your website, bios, content, lead magnets, and keynotes. ✨ Your Website = Your Authority Hub Social media is rented space while your website is your home base. It should reflect your brand with: A crystal-clear headline that says who you serve and waht you help them achieve - and is not about you Messaging that speaks directly to your ideal client's pain points A visual style that aligns with your voice and audience Clear next steps: opt-in sign-up, booking call, speaking request buttons Your website should not be a digital resume or brochure. It should be a relationship-building machine . ✨ Branding in Action: Authority Amplified I developed The Authority Blueprint™ because too many brilliant Thought Leaders are showing up online with branding that does not reflect their expertise. Inside The Authority Blueprint, we get crystal clear on: Who you are and who you serve Your values and what sets you apart What makes your message magnetic and memorable What matters most to your ideal clients - their pain points, values, goals, what makes them laugh, and what makes them act How to build a brand that attracts, connects, and converts It’s not just a strategy - it’s a system that saves you time and gives you clarity every time you write a post, launch a new offer, or add content to your website. ✨ Branding Is More Than Pretty Fonts & Colors Branding is about clarity and connection . ✨It’s how you build trust ✨ It’s how you create authority ✨ And it’s how you attract ideal clients who are excited to work with you!✨ So the next time someone says, “Oh, branding is just a logo,” just smile… and know you’re playing a much bigger game. (Or better yet - forward them this blog! 😉) Need a brand that actually reflects your brilliance? Let’s build it—together. Book a free strategy call and let’s talk about how your brand can finally match your expertise: 👉 Click here to book a call!

Picture of a stage with colorful lights shining down

What Beyoncé Taught Me About Branding (and How It Applies to Your Website)

By Lori Osborne • April 16, 2025

Beyoncé wouldn't step on stage without a spotlight. So why are YOU hiding behind a website that doesn't show your brilliance? Let’s be real… Thought Leaders, Influencers, and Experts spend years building expertise, but their websites don’t always reflect that. And if your website isn’t clearly showing who you are, who you serve, and why you’re the trusted authority… it’s whispering when it should be commanding the room. Your website is not a brochure. It's your digital stage!

Why Landing Pages Alone Don't Cut It for Thought Leaders

By Lori Osborne • April 2, 2025

Let’s talk about something that comes up a lot in conversations with experienced coaches, consultants, speakers, and experts: “I was told I don’t really need a website as long as I have great landing pages.” It’s a popular belief, and it makes sense why - it’s simple, focused, and easier to implement quickly. And for some businesses or product launches, that’s absolutely true. But for Thought Leaders like you , whose business is built on credibility, personal brand, and long-term relationships... landing pages alone just don’t tell the full story. The Real Job of a Thought Leader Website Your website is not just your “online business card.” It’s not a placeholder. And it’s definitely not just a prettier version of your Linktree. A strategic, authority-building website is your digital headquarters, the one place online that’s fully yours, designed to communicate your value 24/7, even when you’re not in the room. When it's done right, your website will: ✨ Tell your story and why it matters ✨ Speak directly to your ideal clients in their language ✨ Showcase your process, framework, or thought leadership ✨ Offer clear next steps for booking, connecting, or collaborating ✨ Position you as the go-to expert in your space So Where Do Landing Pages Fit In? They absolutely have a place! Landing pages are great for: ✨ Lead magnets or opt-ins ✨ Launches for a specific course, program, or event ✨ Paid ad campaigns with a singular CTA ✨ Narrow-focus promotions where distraction-free content is key But landing pages are focused tools , not foundations. They are like the guest house while your website is the home. Your website is the place your audience comes to get the full picture of who you are, what you offer, and why you are different. If a landing page is where someone says “Tell me more,” your website is where they say, “Okay, I’m ready.” Why This Matters, Especially for Thought Leaders You have most likely spent years building your expertise, speaking on stages, coaching clients, writing books, and creating powerful frameworks. That level of leadership requires a brand presence that communicates the depth of who you are. A basic landing page can’t do that. You need more than bullet points and a single opt-in to stand out in today’s noisy online space. Your audience is discerning. ✨ They want to feel connected. ✨ They want to know you understand them. ✨ And they want to know you're the real deal. Still Wondering If You Really Need a Website? Let me offer a quick checklist that may help. If you want to: ✨ Attract more aligned speaking gigs or media opportunities ✨ Position yourself as a thought leader (not just a service provider) ✨ Convert high-level clients who need to trust you first ✨ Own your platform, content, and audience without relying solely on social media ✨ Showcase multiple offers or audiences without confusion ✨ Future-proof your brand and grow beyond just launches... Then it’s time to move from “just a landing page” to a full authority platform that supports the depth of your work. You Don’t Need Just Any Website—You Need the Right One Not all websites are created equal. If yours is not built strategically - with messaging, SEO, visual branding, and user flow in mind - it can feel like a waste of time and money (and very likely is). That’s why I help Thought Leaders create websites that are: ✨ Clear – so visitors instantly understand your value ✨ Credible – with the right trust-building elements in place ✨ Compelling – so they want to take the next step ✨ Consistent – so your digital presence aligns with your voice and vibe ✨ Conversion-ready – not salesy, but designed to spark the right action Ready to Build a Brand Presence That Reflects the Real You? Whether you’ve been relying on landing pages alone, or you have a website that no longer represents the level you’re playing at, I’d love to help you create a digital home that amplifies your authority and supports your next-level goals. 👉 Book a free Strategy Session here. ✨ And if you know a fellow Thought Leader who's been leaning on landing pages alone, please forward this along. They may just thank you for the nudge!