American Disabilities Act (ADA) and Website Compliance
Did You Know the American Disabilities Act (ADA) Extends To Websites?
*The American Disabilities Act and Website Compliance are two things a lot of people in business don’t know about. With a large increase in lawsuits its time to make sure your website meets ADA standards*
The American Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law which protects those with physical disabilities from discrimination. Amongst other regulations, it requires physical accommodations such as elevators, ramps, and handicap parking be available in most buildings, parks, public and multi-family living spaces.
While most folks are familiar with current ADA regulations, there has been a 181% increase in federal lawsuits filed against websites for ADA non-compliance, so it’s safe to assume most companies do NOT understand that the American Disability Act also ADA extends to websites. Most specifically for those individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Hard to see colors, small or illegible fonts, incomplete ALT text, and the inability for read-aloud program connections can all cause issues for the blind and visually impaired as they navigate the web. Our very own team member, Amber, Is visually impaired and relies on bold colors, larger font, and translation programs to navigate the web with ease.
Who does ADA compliance affect?
- State and government agencies
- Companies operating for the public’s benefit
- Companies w/ 15 or more employees
Even if ADA rules don’t apply to your company, you should still make compliance part of your business plan so everyone is created equal and offered the same level of accessibility.
What if my website isn’t ADA compliant?
- You’re in risk of lawsuits and major fines!
- 1st offense= $55k-$75k fine
- 2nd offense= $150k fine
How do I check my site for ADA Compliance?
- Free online tools including: Lighthouse, WAVE, World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), WordPress ADA Compliance Plugin
- Website Audit: Conduct a page by page manual audit of your website
- Hire a professional for an audit and assessment
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