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Why Should You Scan Your Website Using Compliance Checker?
Posted on By Author ADA Support Categories Articles

Why Should You Scan Your Website Using Compliance Checker?

ADA compliance has grown more crucial with each passing year. So much so that it has become necessary for many online web pages to be ADA-compliant. As a result, using a website ADA compliance checker has become more common in the last few decades. But should you scan your website using an ADA compliance checker?

We are here to answer that question. And help you find out whether using an ADA compliance checklist is a good fit for you and your website.

Why You Should Use An ADA Compliance Checker

With the changing rules and regulations for what ADA compliance means, ensuring your site is ADA compliant is becoming more crucial. But why should you use an ADA compliance checker?

1.    It Gives You A Clear Idea About Your ADA Compliance Level

One of the major selling points of using an ADA compliance checker is that it can give you a clear idea about where your website stands. And the changes you need to make to your website?

It can be challenging to keep up with the constantly changing rules and regulations that make up the standards of ADA compliance. Thus, by using an ADA compliance checker, you can save yourself some time and effort. And quickly find out issues and areas that require adjustment on your website.

2.     Avoid Penalties

At present, all up-to-date pages require, at the very least, a compliance grade of A. The highest grade is AAA. As a result, many very prominent brands and companies have fallen into lawsuits due to a lack of ADA compliance.

Thus, we can see the importance of maintaining a compliant site. So, an ADA compliance checker may come in handy if you want to avoid these consequences.

3.    Attracting A Larger Audience

A website that lacks proper ADA compliance is missing a large audience of users. Resulting in millions upon millions of lost customers or sales due to the inability to use the website properly. It is due to the website not being designed for individuals with disabilities. Thus, it makes it quite difficult for them to use.

The checker can allow you to quite easily see the issues with your current website. Including accessibility issues and how you can make your website more accessible. This allows you to gain access to a new audience and group of potential customers.

4.    Helps With Search Engine Optimization

Not only does the checker allow you to appeal to a much larger audience, but it can even improve the reach of your website. Screen readers are an accessibility tool used by individuals who are visually impaired. These screen readers act similarly to Search Engine crawlers that scour through pages.

As a result, if your website meets the requirement of ADA compliance, then it is equally likely to improve your page’s SEO. Thus, the checker not only acts as a tool to make your website ADA compliant but also as a checker for Search Engine Optimization. As a result, it increases the reach of your website.

5.    Improve Your Website Reputation

With the help of this checker, you have managed to appeal to a new audience and increase your website’s reach. However, that is not the only reason to use this checker. Adopting a more accessible approach can also help spread your website’s reputation.

By making your website more accessible with the help of a checker, you can garner the faith of your user base; these changes and adjustments to accessibility signal to users that you care about their experience on your site. It results in return users and an increase in word of mouth as you build a reputation for your website as an inclusive and welcoming page.

6.    Improvement Of The User Interface

One of the checker’s leading roles is ensuring that the user interface and experience are smooth and usable. As a result, the checker can help to improve the overall website usability. Thus, by using the checker properly, you can make your website ADA compliant and more usable along the way.

Conclusion

An ADA compliance checker has more uses than just meeting the standard set by the ADA and can help your website grow and reach a larger audience. ADA checklists can give you an idea of what you need to do going forward and what changes your website needs to make.

What Is Section 508 Compliance & Why Is It Important?
Posted on By Author ADA Support Categories Articles

What Is Section 508 Compliance & Why Is It Important?

Section 508 is a law that requires all federal agencies and non-profit organizations that receive financial assistance from the federal government to make their electrical, communication, and information technologies inclusive and accessible to all people, including those with disabilities.

It is important because it prevents discrimination against disabled people within a government institution. Making IT-related industries accessible to disabled persons can substantially improve their quality of life because they are crucial to people at all stages of life.

What Is Section 508?

Section 508 is actually a vital law that requires all federal agencies and organizations that receive government funding to provide accessibility for people with disabilities. We’ll be exploring what this means in practice and why it’s so important to have web accessibility.

The term “Section 508” is actually a former section of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which was amended by the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1983. This was a wide-ranging law that introduced many of the electronic accessibility standards we know and love today.

Section 508 guidelines specifically state that any federal agency or organization that receives federal financial assistance must comply with handicapped accessibility standards. It’s important to note that the ADA is a separate law and does not require any federal or non-government organization to comply with the ADA.

It can be interpreted as mandating equal access, but this is not it at all. The technology standards are set by the Access Board under Section 508 to ensure that people with disabilities are given the same opportunities as everyone else. Note that there are differences between Section 508 and ADA compliance.

Section 508 compels any information and communications technology-related agencies that receive federal aid to take the necessary steps to prevent discrimination based on the disabilities of an individual. ADA, on the other hand, is similar to this section but in a broader sense. It compels all agencies, whether government or private, to prevent discrimination in any public accommodation. A separate ruling has now included online assets.

How Does The Government Enforce Section 508?

Section 508’s enforceable portion is largely focused on procurement and is administered through the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Beginning in January 2001, Section 508 was included in the Federal Acquisition Regulations.

This implies that when the government purchases information and communication technology, it must choose the product that best fits accessibility criteria. For example, when a federal agency is buying a vending machine and has narrowed it down to five vending machines that match all the criteria. Section 508 dictates which one the federal agency must buy, the one that’s most accessible to disabled people.

Impacts Of Section 508?

The main impact of section 508 is that it made the government focus on accessibility programs and prioritize individuals with limitations and disabilities. Section 508 reshaped the government’s purchasing habits in its sector.

The private sector also took notes from this change. Another great impact of section 508 is that it forced federal agencies to establish accessibility programs. Government agencies now emphasize a lot more on accessibility and disability programs.

Why Is Section 508 Important?

Section 508 is important because it sets equal rights for people of all sorts in society. No one gets discriminated against because of their disabilities. All the government bodies present equal facilities to the taxpayers.

You cannot expect the private sector to introduce equal accessibility to all people if the federal bodies don’t do it first. Section 508 compels all government agencies and private agencies that receive federal aid to apply equal accessibility to everything related to information and communication technology.

This isn’t limited to just a webpage, but everything it is related to, such as software, mobile applications, documents, and even hardware interfaces like TVs, printers, scanners, etc.

Conclusion

For disabled people, Section 508 is important as it enables them to easily access information and technology-related resources. It compels federal agencies to abide by accessibility programs and ensures equal rights for all people. It is not limited to something trivial; it applies to everything related, from hardware like TVs, fridges, printers to websites, web content, eCommerce sites and everything in between.

ADA For Web is dedicated to ensure that website and client interactions follow accessibility guidelines. Contact us now to get a website accessibility audit.

What Are Accessibility Lawsuits? Things You Need To Know
Posted on By Author ADA Support Categories Articles

What Are Accessibility Lawsuits? Things You Need To Know

The web and the internet are essential in our daily lives nowadays. Everyone needs to use the web in some capacity. And that also includes people with disabilities. That’s why websites are required to be accessible under the ADA law.

There was a record number of ADA accessibility lawsuits last year. So, here is all you need to know about the ADA-compliant website law and more. If you have a website, there’s never been a better time to check how accessible your website is.

What Are Accessibility Lawsuits?

ADA web accessibility law states that places of accommodation should have equal access to their services, goods, and facilities. And this includes people with disabilities as well. Websites also fall under this rule; they are also considered “places of accommodation’ according to the law.

So, an accessible lawsuit can be filed by a private plaintiff if they feel like a website has not been designed or coded to be accessible. However, in some cases, the justice department can also file lawsuits.

If there is a “general public importance”, which means that if an act of violation affects a lot of people, the DOJ can start investigating themselves.

Recently we have seen a hike in ADA complaint lawsuits. Especially during the Biden administration. The DOJ has increased its web accessibility enforcement activities.

Is The ADA Law Being Exploited?

Business owners who also happen to have a website might think about whether it’s all a scam or not. And are these plaintiffs abusing the law to gain some kind of monetary benefit? Well, while the ADA doesn’t allow any kind of monetary gain for plaintiffs, state laws might vary.

For example, in California, the Unruh Civil Rights Act gives out $4,000 in monetary damages for each offense. Sometimes, the ADA can allow the plaintiff to cover the cost of legal services from the business.

No matter how you look at it, fighting a lawsuit can be very expensive. And this is regardless of whether you choose to settle or litigate it. Protracted litigation can go into the six figures—around $100,000. Settling can be around $14,000.

Of course, these are solid numbers. These are just from past cases. The cost will most definitely vary from case to case.

How To Ensure That Your Website Is ADA Compliant?

This is where things get a bit tricky. ADA does not provide any kind of guidelines for creating an accessible website. This makes things a bit challenging.

But the WCAG 2.1 guidelines help a lot. It stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, and it is accepted as a reasonable standard when creating an accessible website. The bottom line is that if your website conforms to the WCAG 2.1 guidelines, your website will be accessible to most users.

However, private plaintiffs can file a lawsuit for any reason. But according to historical data, most lawsuits will cite the failure to meet WCAG guidelines as the primary issue. An expert web accessibility consulting service can help you with your ADA compliance.

You need to ensure that you meet the criteria and guidelines of WCAG 2.1. And accessible websites for law firms are even more important.

Web Accessibility Is Worth It

Although web accessibility lawsuits can be a hassle, at the end of the day, an accessible web is better, whether you’re an eCommerce site or any kind of site. You might argue that web accessibility for law firms is even more important.

The point of the matter is that the internet is so ubiquitous nowys that companies and brands should provide an accessible experience. Because in the long run, this will contribute to the goodwill of the company.

Having an inaccessible website can create a negative image of the brand. At least for disabled customers. And the brand can lose a large chunk of the potential customer base in that sense. Which can result in more revenue loss in the long run compared to a lawsuit.

Wrapping Up

ADA compliant website laws help disabled people enjoy an inclusive web experience. And it’s always in a company’s best interest to give all of its potential customers a smooth experience.

Our experts at ADA for Web can help you in achieving that. So, don’t be shy to get in touch with us for a website accessibility audit.

WCAG 3.0: What You Need To Know About The Future of Accessibility Standards
Posted on By Author ADA Support Categories Articles

WCAG 3.0: What You Need To Know About The Future of Accessibility Standards

The laws and guidelines regarding accessibility standards are changing constantly. Web content accessibility guidelines have always been the standard. But what can you expect from it as we move forward?

In this article, we will give you an idea of what the new web accessibility terms will look like going forward. And what benefits of web accessibility these new guidelines will provide in the long run.

The Future Of Accessibility And WCAG 3.0

WCAG 3.0 is not too far into the future. And will end up entirely changing the landscape of accessibility standards going forward. But, what do these changes mean?

What You Need To Know

WCAG will bring about a whole new grading system for website accessibility. The new system will replace the old A/AA/AAA grading system. Furthermore, the new grading system will be easier to understand. Using bronze/silver/gold to replace the older format.

This new grading system aims to be much simpler and easier to understand for both experienced and inexperienced users. Additionally, these newer guidelines will be more thorough. As a result, WCAG 3.0 will aim to solve issues for a more comprehensive array of people with disabilities. Instead of concentrating on the more prominent forms of disabilities.

The future of WCAG hopes to be more flexible, using an outcome-based model. Older versions of the guideline used a pass-fail model. Thus, you cannot claim that the website follows the AAA guidelines if it fails any requirements for AAA guidelines.

The new model is outcome-based, meaning that it will rate the outcomes for each standard of WCAG 3.0. Furthermore, it will score these outcomes on a 0-4 scale. Thus, if the site faces a significant error in meeting a specific standard, that outcome will get a 0.

Why Do We Need WCAG 3.0

Like anything else, a new version always has changes and improvements over its predecessor. That is why a new version exists, to improve on the current version. WCAG 3.0 exists for that exact reason to bring much-needed change and improvement to the current version.

Advancements In Technology

One of the significant reasons for an upgrade to the existing guidelines is the advancement of technology. Technology is becoming more and more advanced with each passing year. And more so now, WCAG 2.1, which arrived in 2018, is starting to become outdated due to the advancement of technology.

As a result, we need a new and improved guideline compatible with the current technology. And WCAG 3.0 is the answer.

This guideline version will focus more on IoT technologies like wearable gadgets and mobile devices. Furthermore, they are also looking into working with augmented and virtual reality.

Due to this focus on a vast array of web accessibility, WCAG 3.0 is named in such a fashion, compared to prior versions being called 2.0, as it is more along the lines of being a W3C accessibility guideline.

More Inclusion

Initially, WCAG focused on a limited number of disabilities when creating this guideline. As a result, numerous individual disabilities did not match these specific disabilities. Thus, they could enjoy the benefits that others have received through these guidelines.

So, the Accessibilities Guideline Working Group is committed to covering them in the new guideline version. The functional categories of disability below are likely to be added.

  • Sensory and Cognitive Intersections
  • Mental Health
  • Executive
  • Memory
  • Learning
  • Literacy and Language
  • Attention
  • Speech
  • Sensory and Physical Intersections
  • Motor
  • Mobility
  • Sensory Intersections
  • Auditory and Hearing
  • Visual and Vision

Improved Readability

One of the significant issues with the earlier version of WCAG was its readability. Many users found the old guidelines harder to understand. It results in frequent mistakes by users attempting to work on the accessibility standards.

However, mistakes in the new version are far less likely. It is due to the diverse cast of stakeholders working on it together. With their specific knowledge of the technical sphere, they should be able to create simple and easy-to-understand guidelines for users to follow.

Conclusion

Going into the future of web accessibility terms may seem daunting. But this new version of WCAG is sure to benefit users all around the world. And make using the internet more accessible to all. We here at ADA For Web help businesses achieve all sorts of accessibility standards including WCAG.

So, if you are in need of such services, get in touch with us right away.

Qualities To Look For In An ADA Consultant
Posted on By Author ADA Support Categories Articles

Qualities To Look For In An ADA Consultant

With each passing day, there is a growing ADA compliance for websites. As a result, several consultancy services have appeared in the last decade. Consequently, this has resulted in a rise in demand for ADA website compliance consultants and ADA consulting services. As a result, a number of consulting services have emerged over the past decade.

However, this presents its own problem. With so many ADA companies, which should you pick? In this article, we’ll give you a list of the best qualities to look for in an ADA consultant.

What To Look For In Your ADA Consultant?

Whether you are looking for an ADA consultant for your own website or a company website, you should know what to look for. And the signature qualities to identify a qualified ADA consultant?

1.    Substantial Knowledge Regarding WCAG

The web content accessibility guidelines are the cornerstone to ensuring your website meets the standard of the ADA. It has been regarded as the standard by the Department of Justice. As a result, it sees usage by both consultants and web professionals alike.

There is more to accessibility than just using alt text. It goes beyond using media, adjusting text size, color, etc. So, if your consultant lacks substantial knowledge of WCAG, you should keep looking.

One of the most common mistakes made by these types of consultants is overlooking documentation, as accessibility does not stop at just your website. It goes beyond that to documents that they can find on your websites. These include price sheets, brochures, and other documents that users can download from your site.

All of which need to be accessible to those with disabilities. Thus, having a consultant who knows the WCAG in detail can save you from making such mistakes.

2.    Qualification

Just like any other job, qualifications matter, especially for ADA consultants. Looking into their qualifications is crucial as one can become an ADA consultant through various means. Thus, before hiring any consultant, ensure that their expertise and capabilities meet your needs.

A great way to learn about a consultant’s abilities is by checking if they belong to any professional organization. Belonging to one, such as the International Association of Accessibility Professionals, guarantees that they are up to date with changes in regulations.

So, hire an individual with the proper credentials and professional association to vouch for it to ensure the future of your website.

3.    The Consultants Process

Whichever consultant you choose to hire, you have to be able to understand their process. As an employer, understanding the consultant process gives you a benchmark to measure them up against. Furthermore, their approach can help you figure out your current website’s shortcomings and how you can improve upon them.

So, sit down with them and discuss how they can help you. And the kind of process they follow. It can help you determine if they are a good fit for you.

4.    Testimonial And Case Studies

When hiring a consultant or a team, you need to see what kind of work they have done before this. A good reputation is crucial for a consultant. The best way to do this is through testimonials. These testimonials give you an idea of what you can expect from them when you go into business with them.

Case studies also play a crucial role in this. They can show you how they can help you and your website through case studies. And how they solved similar issues that prior clients may have had.

5.    Understanding Your Unique Needs

Each company, individual, or organization is unique. Thus, they require special attention. The same is true when making a website more accessible. It needs to meet both your specific users’ needs.

Thus, a qualified ADA consultant must have an understanding of your needs. And be able to make your website ADA compliant and meet your needs. So, when looking for a consultant, ensure that he has at least some prior experience in your industry.

Conclusion

Finding the right ADA consulting services can prove to be a challenge. Considering the numerous ADA website compliance consultants currently available, you need to know what to look for. Hopefully, the qualities we mentioned will guide you through the process. However, if you have any other questions about ADA or inclusive web design, feel free to contact us.

Needs For A Web Accessibility Conformance Statement
Posted on By Author ADA Support Categories Articles

Needs For A Web Accessibility Conformance Statement

A web accessibility conformance statement serves as an evidence that your website is accessible. There are tons of benefits for this, starting from legal to company goodwill. The internet today is ingrained in every facet of our lives.

Different people from all walks of life rely on it in one way or another. And that also includes disabled people. With a conformance statement, you are officially ADA compliant. Here’s all you need to know about an ADA compliant website.

What Is Web Accessibility And A Conformance Statement

The ADA requires websites to be accessible for disabled users under Title III. It states that places of accommodation need to provide equal access to users. And websites are categorized as places of accommodation.

So, according to the law, a website in 2022 needs to be accessible to all kinds of users. This includes people with disabilities ranging from hearing, visual, and also cognitive.

Private plaintiffs can file a lawsuit if they find a website inaccessible. This is where a conformance statement comes in. What does conformance mean then? A conformance statement is just a simple proof that you’re doing it right.

It means that your website is accessible. To be more specific, it’s compliant with WCAG 2.1 guidelines. ADA doesn’t have any formal guidelines or criteria as to what guidelines a website should follow for ADA compliance. But the WCAG 2.1 guidelines are used as a general standard.

The Importance Of A Conformance Statement

A web accessibility conformance statement not only saves you from legal liability but also works to create goodwill as well. Legal fees for accessibility cases can skyrocket. Although most companies usually settle. And that can be around $14,000.

Litigation, on the other hand, can cost around $100,000. But the long-term impact is much more. If your website is not accessible, you might be losing potential customers. Simply because they are just unable to use your website. And that can end up costing much more.

It’s always in the best interest of any company or individual that owns a website to have an accessible one. It shows you care about your visitors. And this creates brand goodwill. In this hyper-competitive market, goodwill is priceless. That’s why an ADA compliant website, along with a conformance statement is crucial.

A Deeper Dive Into The Conformance Statement

A conformance statement is written by a third party who has thoroughly tested your websites. This is done to avoid any conflict of interest.

But that isn’t all. To receive a conformance statement, you need to keep in mind a couple of things. Let’s break these down further.

WCAG 2.1 Guideline Levels

WCAG 2.1 has multiple levels. A, AA, and AAA. A is the minimum level of accessibility requirement level. But it’s risky to only aim for the minimum. A lawsuit can be very costly. So, to cover all liabilities, companies should aim for at least AA.

Multiple Pages

Some might think that only the home page needs to be accessible. That isn’t the case though. If a visitor needs multiple pages to complete a task. All of those pages need to be compliant. For example, if a visitor is to sign up to your website.

They might need to click the sign-up button on the home page. And then navigate to a page where they will create an account. And finally, finish signing up. All the pages involved in this process should be accessible. That means it needs to follow WCAG 2.1 guidelines.

Third-Party Content

If your website has third-party content, it needs to be compliant and accessible as well. Monitoring systems will help identify any parts of the website that don’t meet ADA compliance.

This will help companies to catch liabilities much more quickly. An expert ADA compliance consultancy service can also be very helpful. You can check the WCAG 2.1 guideline yourself for specific web accessibility terms.

Wrapping Up

An accessible website creates a better and equal opportunity for everyone. At ADA for Web, our experts can help you with everything related to web accessibility and ADA compliance. When you have the right partner, then you don’t need to worry about accessibility-related issues.

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