The Americans with Disabilities Act seeks to protect people with disabilities from discrimination. Having access to information and content on websites is part of those guidelines, and lawsuits grow each year against the organizations that fail to comply with these guidelines. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article,

The number of U.S. lawsuits alleging that websites, apps and digital videos were inaccessible to people with disabilities rose 64% in the first half of 2021 from a year earlier, a new report says.

Plaintiffs filed 1,661 lawsuits claiming digital violations of either the federal Americans with Disabilities Act or California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act between Jan. 1 and June 30, up from 1,012 in the comparable period of 2020, according to the report by UsableNet Inc., a technology firm that offers accessibility-compliance technology and services.

Does Your Site Need to Be ADA Compliant?

While it is recommended that all websites implement the features to become ADA compliant, at the moment it is only required for websites in the following industries: finance, government, education, and healthcare. Any company, business, or organization that receives federal or state money is also required to comply with the ADA’s website guidelines.

The ADA has released a toolkit that outlines specific features that should be made available on your website for those with visual, auditory, and mobility challenges. Here is an excerpt from the ADA’s Tool Kit for Website Accessibility Under Title II of the ADA that shares potential barriers to your website and its information.

B. Online Barriers Faced by People with Disabilities

Many people with disabilities use assistive technology that enables them to use computers. Some assistive technology involves separate computer programs or devices, such as screen readers, text enlargement software, and computer programs that enable people to control the computer with their voice. Other assistive technology is built into computer operating systems. For example, basic accessibility features in computer operating systems enable some people with low vision to see computer displays by simply adjusting color schemes, contrast settings, and font sizes. Operating systems enable people with limited manual dexterity to move the mouse pointer using key strokes instead of a standard mouse. Many other types of assistive technology are available, and more are still being developed.

Poorly designed websites can create unnecessary barriers for people with disabilities, just as poorly designed buildings prevent some people with disabilities from entering. Access problems often occur because website designers mistakenly assume that everyone sees and accesses a webpage in the same way. This mistaken assumption can frustrate assistive technologies and their users. Accessible website design recognizes these differences and does not require people to see, hear, or use a standard mouse in order to access the information and services provided.

If you are interested in building or changing your website to meet current ADA requirements, Ocoos Web Consulting is here to help you! We have been providing quality websites and graphic design to Ocala and the surrounding areas for ten years. We love working with small businesses to make their web presence and branding something they are truly proud of. We also help business owners to implement ADA-compliant features on their websites. We aim to be your one-stop webshop as we provide services such as SEO, virtual tour and drone photography/video, graphic design, content writing, digital marketing, and more! Contact us today to schedule a free consultation!