The Americans with Disabilities Act, enacted in 1990, prohibits discrimination based on an individual’s disabilities. In recent years, courts across the country have interpreted Title III of this law, which governs access to public accommodations, as applicable to websites. This means that companies whose websites have many components inaccessible to persons with disabilities may be in violation of the ADA.
How Do You Know if Your Website Is Compliant?
At present, there are no laws explicitly governing website accessibility in the private sector. However, the World Wide Web Consortium has developed the Website Content Accessibility Guidelines, a document explaining how to make websites more accessible for persons with disabilities. This can serve as a helpful reference when you are reviewing your website for ADA compliance.
What Do You Do if You Are Still Uncertain of Your Website’s Compliance Status?
The WCAG is an excellent resource, but it is a technical guide and the terms and concepts found in it can be difficult to understand. If you have read through the recommendations and still feel unsure of your website’s status, an ADA web compliance agency can help. Their trained experts can review your website and ensure that it meets the requirements. Most agencies offer annual maintenance plans at different price points to meet the needs of organizations of every size.
Being found in violation of the ADA can lead to costly lawsuits. This said website compliance can be complicated. Hiring an agency to make sure your website meets the WCAG standards can save your company time and money.