The Current Status of Web Accessibility
Many brands are confused, uninformed, or fearful about web accessibility compliance and, more importantly, getting sued. Web accessibility is a topic you often don’t think about until it’s too late. The fact is, if you have not already done so, you need to start taking web accessibility seriously. We’ve put together some answers to common questions we get asked all the time.
What Exactly Is an Accessible Website?
Accessible websites are designed and developed for people with disabilities. They provide Internet access for auditory, cognitive, neurological, physical, speech, and visual disabilities.
To put it simply, web accessibility means making your website usable for everyone.
What Are the Current Web Accessibility Standards?
There are two current standards, Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 AA. Section 508 governs accessibility of information technology under the United States Federal government. WCAG 2.0 is a set of web accessibility recommendations set forth by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the main international standards organization for the World Wide Web. Also, the WCAG 2.1 requirements are coming soon — June 2018. Make sure you stay current, there’s a lot at stake.
How Many People Really Need Web Accessibility?
Many people don’t think web accessibility is a priority. They assume that they’re missing a tiny minority of the population. Not true. The Pew Research Center, U.S. Census Bureau, and even Google have identified the number of people with disabilities. In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau found that 8.1 million Americans 15 and older had a vision impairment. 7.6 million had a hearing impairment. And there are millions more with other disabilities. The disabled are a very large group of people who conduct their daily business online.
What’s the News About Web Accessibility Litigation?
The legal issues around web accessibility can no longer be ignored:
- ADA Title III lawsuits increased by 16% in 2017. Website access lawsuits were a major contributor.
- At least 814 federal lawsuits filed in 2017 against companies operating allegedly inaccessible websites.
- The Department of Justice stated that it will most likely adopt the WCAG 2.0 AA in 2018.
Getting on board with web accessibility should be a critical concern for all medium to large sized brands.
What Can I Do to Become Compliant?
- Get educated on the requirements.
- Pick a partner and make your website accessible.
- Get your in-house communications team trained to keep your site compliant.
- Be thankful: you’re not a target for litigation anymore.
The time is now to consider your website’s accessibility. Not only is it right to include the disabled, it could create a major disaster for your brand if you continue to ignore it.
