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Why Is ADA Compliance Important For Law Firm Websites?
Posted on By Author content@adaforweb.com Categories Law Firms

Why Is ADA Compliance Important For Law Firm Websites?

In this era of technology, it would be hard to find law firms that don’t have websites. Knowing your rights and obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act is important if you happen to own a law firm. Making your website as inclusive as possible should be one of your top concerns since a wide range of people will visit it.

Since it makes your service user-friendly and accessible to everyone, ADA compliance is more important than you might think. It is also an essential element of your marketing strategy and how you present yourself to visitors and potential clients.

The website of your law firm should be designed in a way that makes navigation easy for those with disabilities. This article will dive deep into the reasons why ADA compliance is a must for law firm websites. So, stick around till the end!

Importance Of ADA Compliance For Law Firms

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is a landmark civil rights law. The goal of the ADA is to protect people with disabilities from discrimination in State, and local government services and employment. The reason why ADA for websites is so important is that it takes away the mystery.

Accessibility
ADA Compliance is important because the law firm has legal responsibilities to its clients. Among other things, a law firm must ensure that its clients can utilize all of the firm’s services and products as needed.

Ensuring proper access allows for full access to all of a client’s legal matters, whether in-person or on an electronic device. Without accessibility, many individuals with disabilities are unable to fully participate in processes such as depositions, pleadings, and motions.

Ensures Equality
ADA Compliance is also important because it ensures that all of the firm’s clients are treated equally. One of the fundamentals of the Americans with Disabilities Act is that individuals with disabilities should be afforded the same opportunities as others.

The laws and regulations that require people with disabilities to be able to access buildings and facilities should not be ignored. It is just as important for a law firm, as any other business entity, to serve its customers effectively and efficiently.

Investment
Finally, being ADA compliant is a monetary and reputational investment. In other words, just as a law firm would not solicit clients who do not have proper documentation for legal representation. It should not also solicit clients who have physical impairments if the firm doesn’t take steps to ensure access.

The law firm should make good-faith efforts to provide physical access to all of its offices as needed by individuals with mobility impairments. If a particular office is in an inaccessible space, it should be moved or modified so that it is accessible. The law firm might also consider moving all of its offices to a more accessible location.

How To Know If Your Law Website Is ADA Compliant?
The ADA helps you understand what’s required of you as a law firm, and then you can decide how to implement these features into your website. When people visit your website, they do so with you in mind.

They would like to feel welcomed and connect with you. And when they find that yours is not an ADA compliant website, this has a negative impact on how they view you and your law firm. Here are some general ADA compliance tips that’ll help you identify whether your website is ADA compliant.

Menu Options And Menu Location
Menu options should be listed in a logical order to reduce confusion. The menu should be visible on all parts of the site, including the homepage and inner pages. The menu location has to be high enough for all users to access easily.

Menus should have a character limit long enough to list all options on the same page. Menus should be labeled with general descriptions, not with technical jargon. These general descriptions need to be in a different color and font size/style than the main text on the site.

Text Size
The text should be at least 14 points in size when displayed at 100%. The 14 point minimum is an ideal recommendation, and it’s based on what most users can comfortably read.

Text Contrast
Contrast is the difference between two contrasting colors. They need to have a difference of at least 35%. This concept applies to both images and text. If you’re using a light color for the content, you can consider using a darker color for the background. If you’re using a dark color for the content, use a lighter color to make the reading easier on your users.

Text Color
The text should be 13 to 15 shades of gray. White text on a black or dark background would be fine for your main content, but for footnotes and the like, you should use a darker color that can stand out better against the white background and make it easier to read.

You don’t have to go crazy with the color scheme you choose. For example, if you’re using a blue background with yellow text, this may not be accessible by all users because blue is something they can’t see.
Style, Size, And Location of Links

Users should be able to navigate the website without confusion. When it comes to links, you should describe what is at the other end of the link. This will create non-visual clues that indicate where the link goes.

Having a strong link color coded with the background will help you differentiate between primary content and secondary links. As an example, you can have a light-colored background that is followed by an underline to indicate that it’s clickable.

Tools For Third Party Assessments

There are many ADA compliance software out there that can be useful in evaluating your website accessibility. One thing you have to keep in mind is that they’re not all equal and there are some tools out there that are better suited for certain purposes.

Conclusion
To provide and ensure service for the handicapped, ADA compliance for your website is a must. Now that you are aware of the significance of ADA compliance for law firm websites, don’t waste any time and focus on making your website ADA compliant right away!

Website Accessibility For All—Is Your Company ADA Compliant?
Posted on By Author content@adaforweb.com Categories Learn About Web Accessibility

Website Accessibility For All—Is Your Company ADA Compliant?

In this era of technology, ensuring that your websites are accessible to a diverse range of visitors should be a top priority if you happen to be a business owner. So, if you are wondering whether your company is ADA compliant or not, you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ll discuss how you can check if your company is ADA compliant, along with some other ADA compliance consulting and helpful information you might need.

Why Is ADA Compliance Vital For Your Business?

In designed to safeguard your company from penalties and lawsuits, ADA compliance is essential. Additionally, it helps businesses expand their web presence and improve their reputation.

Businesses that violate the rule also run the risk of paying over $100,000 fines for each violation, as well as being subject to legal action and negative press. The disabled community also values ADA compliance since it enables them to use your products and services both in person and online.

Additionally, having an ADA compliance website increases visitors and profitability. Again, the Internal Revenue Service provides write-offs and tax credits for companies that are accessible to people with disabilities.

For example, a business can benefit from the $5,000 USD Disabled Access Credit, which covers costs incurred to increase accessibility for disabled people. It covers expenditures for both real-world and online locations.

Furthermore, companies can take advantage of the job opportunity credit by actively employing individuals with disabilities. Thus, you can claim a tax credit for a disabled employee’s pay in your first year of employment.

However, ADA compliance is not only legal but also ethically right. Companies must abide by the laws and guarantee that everyone has access to resources. Therefore, ADA compliance is beneficial for your company and brand reputation and also essential to ensure the human rights of your diverse range of clientele.

How To Check If Your Company Website Is ADA Compliant

Regarding ADA website accessibility, there are not any precise guidelines. However, most organizations, including governmental institutions, follow the WCAG standards. You can use automated testing, human testing, or a mix of the two to ensure your website conforms to the ADA standards. The following are a few ways to check if your company is ADA compliant or not:

● Try Using Free Tools
Numerous freely accessible ADA compliance checkers are available for businesses to utilize, which examine your site’s text size, image alt text, color contrast, and other factors. . For example, Lighthouse and WAVE. The drawback is that they only assess a single page at a single time rather than your entire website.
Moreover, anyone wishing to perform an ADA site test can access various other tools. These tools assist in determining whether or not the website complies with the WCAG guidelines. Besides,you may even install ADA compliance plugins if you have access to a WordPress website.

● Requesting A Professional Evaluation
A professional assessment is yet another method you might use to determine whether or not your website complies with the ADA. Some numerous qualified individuals and organizations may analyze your website or websites in-depth and offer advice accordingly.
According to your terms, the agency may make suggestions on your company’s behalf. However, your company will choose if you should spend money on an audit.

● Performing Manual Audits
You can also do a manual audit to check the ADA compliance of your website. To do this, examine the URLs on your company’s website. Using the WCAG, a physical audit entails assessing the usability of each page on the website. Although WCAG seems to be a sizable checklist, it serves as the foundation for ADA compatibility.
However, a manual audit is typically unrealistic for businesses, considering the consequences of not complying with ADA regulations. Using ADA compliance software or spending money on an expert audit ensures your company develops the most acceptable ADA compliance strategy.

● Request Testing From Family & Friends
It’s a less well-known but helpful method of determining whether or not a site complies with the ADA. So, try to select a variety of users, both able-bodied and impaired, and decide whether or not they can easily browse your app or website.

● Compare Your Website To The WCAG Guidelines
You can also use a WCAG test to determine whether your website complies with ADA standards. It will enable you to identify any website areas that don’t adhere to the ADA standards. There are four core principles of WCAG, which further create specific recommendations. These are: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.

How To Develop An ADA-compliant Website
Making sure a new website conforms with the ADA is among the most crucial considerations when launching it. So, now, let’s discuss how to develop an ADA-compliant site for your convenience:

1. Include Image Description
Images on websites are essential for conveying information. However, that will be challenging for those who are blind. Adding “alt text” to every picture is a simple fix.
Well, for someone to use a screening tool to comprehend the intended expression of the picture, alt text offers a detailed description.

2. Activate The Keyboard Navigation
Many disabled people using the internet depend on keyboards or other input devices instead of computer mouses for navigating. People often use the ‘Enter’ and ‘Esc’ keys as keyboard shortcuts for opening and closing drop-down menus, respectively.
They can move between different page items by pressing the “Tab” button.

3. Simplify The Website Visuals
One of the most significant issues people with disabilities face is ill-defined visual features. A business owner must make their material accessible to all clients, regardless of whether they have visual or cognitive disabilities.
Ensure that all your website visuals are simple and have improved color contrast.

4. Offer Video & Audio Content Substitutes
There are other types of media as well as images that need a flexible response solution. For instance, transcripts of audio-only material should provide the same information. Besides, videos ought to include captions.
Another valuable method for facilitating access to media for the deaf is sign language translation.

5. Hire A Professional
Hiring a professional company for the job is the most straightforward choice for most businesses. You may update your website quickly and confidently by working with a reputable expert website design company. Thus, you won’t have to worry about assembling an internal project team or managing enough time.
Although cost is a consideration that every business must recognize when considering employing an agency, you need to evaluate the return on that investment. You risk facing costly fines and legal action if your website isn’t ADA compliant. You may reduce this risk by working with an ADA-compliant website design company.

Conclusion
By now, you’ve got to know the significance of ADA compliance for your business and ways to check it. So, if you are considering hiring a professional company to make your website ADA compliant or need ADA compliance consulting, don’t hesitate to contact ADA for Web. We’re looking forward to doing business with you.

Lawsuits Targeting Business Websites Over ADA Violations Are On the Rise
Posted on By Author content@adaforweb.com Categories Law Firms

Lawsuits Targeting Business Websites Over ADA Violations Are On the Rise

Technology is touching every facet of our lives nowadays. From kids to senior citizens, everyone has access to the internet. And when something is being used by so many people worldwide, the question of accessibility becomes an important conversation.

Failing to match accessibility guidelines can brew serious trouble. So, this guide will be all about the web accessibility lawsuit. We will discuss what you need to know about it and more importantly what you should do if you have a website.

ADA Violations Lawsuits: What You Need to Know

In 2022, having a business website is not an optional thing. Customers are more informed nowadays than ever. And they do their research online and visit company websites. And in some cases, they will directly purchase a product, or service or get information from the company website.

To compete, you need to have a compelling website. That is a basic thing in today’s day and age. However, American law takes things a bit farther than that.

Laws like the ADA Act ensure that people with disabilities in seeing and hearing can use websites properly. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, your website needs to be easy to use and friendly.

Failing to comply with the law can result in website accessibility lawsuits. This can cause harm to your brand both in monetary terms and also its image. Moreover, having an accessible website is the right thing to do.

It allows you to reach more people. Accessible websites make for an inclusive world wide web. Most of the lawsuits are ADA Title III. It allows for a website to be accessible for people with all kinds of disabilities. You can read this article to know more.

ADA Lawsuits Are on The Site: And There is Something You Can Do About It

The thing you need to know is that these lawsuits are on the rise. And chances are they might not stop that soon. Just in 2018, there were nearly 5,000 ADA. The shocking thing? This was just in the first 6 months. Now that is not something websites and business owners would want to hear.

Florida, California, and New York have seen 85% of the federal filings in 2020. And over 8,000 lawsuits have been filed or removed just between 2017 to 2020. If you think about that, that is a staggering number.

An argument that can come up is whether or not these allegations or lawsuits are frivolous. That means are all these lawsuits legitimate or are people abusing the law here. While there is no denying that some lawsuits are indeed frivolous, some are not.

There will be some plaintiffs that are serial litigants. That is not always the case when it is legitimate. And then you need to be ready for it.

In some lawsuits, the plaintiffs did win. For example, in 2017, Juan Carlos Gill’s case went to the federal court.
He sued a supermarket chain because he could not use their website since he has a visual impairment. He won the case.
Companies now need to be extra diligent about their online presence. And inclusivity is pretty important. At the end of the day, it does not matter whether the cases were frivolous or who won.

Accessibility should be a consideration regardless. Making the web more accessible will help everyone all around and the companies will also be able to create a better brand image as well. No matter how you look at it, whether from the point of view of the law or a business perspective, ADA compliance websites are good.

Reducing Your Risk of Accessibility Lawsuits

While the number of lawsuits is rising, there are some actionable steps you can take to reduce your risk of an ADA-compliant website lawsuit. Since ADA website accessibility has guidelines, a good web consulting firm like ADAforweb can help.

Information and expert guidance are the keys to making your website user-friendly and accessible.

ADAforweb helps identify the right strategy for partners just like you. The process is designed to benefit both you and your clients. So, it is a win-win situation for all. Other than that, there are some basic steps you can take.

1. A Responsive Site is a Compliant Site
The first order of business is to have a responsive website. Responsive does not only mean that it is fast and smooth to use. It also refers to the client site device. Your website should be usable (and have the same information) on different devices like desktops and mobile.

2. Easy to Use Buttons and Forms
Any serious company website will have forms and buttons. Ensure these are designed in a user-friendly way and easy to use for the most part. The labels and all input elements should be visible. Any documents or text should be readable as well and it goes the same for forms.

3. Keyboard Navigation
One of the most overlooked features is keyboard navigation. Many websites do not incorporate proper keyboard navigation. Seniors who want to use websites and computers might prefer using a keyboard. This is where it becomes pretty necessary.

4. Color Contrast for Visually Impaired
Honestly, you could put this at the very top of the list. The first thing anyone will see when they visit your website is the design, colors, images, and layout. The color contrast needs to be designed with complementary colors. Contrast for high visibility is always recommended.

5. Conforming with WCAG 2.1 AA
You can reduce the risk of a lawsuit quite a lot by conforming to WCAG 2.1 AA standards. If you don’t know what it includes then you can click here to learn about everything you need to know.

Wrapping Up
With web accessibility lawsuits on the rise, it is now more important than ever to be compliant with ADA standards. Not only is it required by law, but it makes the web more accessible for people.

That in general is the right thing to do. You can get the critical information and expert counseling you need at ADAforweb.

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