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According to the experts at AudioEye, ADA compliance on your website is one of the most important endeavors that you will undertake.
Is your website ADA compliant? Don’t wait and run the risk of a lawsuit in order to find out. Here are some aspects of compliance with the ADA that you should strongly consider:
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About Having An ADA Compliant Website
When you are completing your first website for your business, there is no question that a lot of blood, sweat, and tears go into it.
You might be tempted to just gloss over the steps to make your website ADA compliant. However, this could be a serious mistake simply because it would open your business up to a whole host of financial penalties, lawsuits, and it could even damage your personal brand.
The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals throughout the United States.
The first thing that you need to know is that the ADA doesn’t just apply to brick-and-mortar businesses; it also applies to websites as well. Unfortunately, unlike their brick-and-mortar counterparts, there are no clear guidelines for what makes a website ADA compliant.
How Do You Know If Your Business is ADA Compliant?
Even though there are not any clear guidelines regarding whether your website is ADA-compliant, there are certain characteristics that can help you determine if your website is in compliance with the ADA.
First of all, your website should have an ample supply of modifications for those who are blind. Additionally, it should have accessibility for those who are deaf, and finally, allowances should be made for those who navigate the internet by voice.
A Brief History of Disability Rights
In the 1800s, disabled individuals were considered tragic, meager, and pitiful individuals not able to contribute to society except as objects of ridicule in circuses or entertainment.
They were often forced to enter asylums and institutions, where they would generally be hidden from society. This marginalization of disabled individuals continued until World War I, when veterans expected rehabilitation and vocational training.
This continued until World War II, and disabled individuals saw great advancements with Franklin D. Roosevelt, America’s first disabled president.
The 1960s saw a lot more progress as parents of disabled children began to insist that they get an education like everyone else, and this culminated in the 1972 Rehabilitation Act and the 1975 Education For All Handicapped Children Act, ultimately renamed the Individuals With Disabilities Act (IDEA) in 1990.
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) was also passed in 1990, and now accommodation is the norm rather than the exception.
Ways to Avoid an ADA Lawsuit With Your Website
Of course, after all this, you are probably wondering just how to ensure that you are not running the risk of an ADA lawsuit on your website.
First of all, you need to educate yourself. If not, rest assured that this will become your bible. Additionally, you should consider having your website professionally audited.
An audit can reveal such things as whether the PDF is accessible to assistive technology services. An audit can also fully investigate the alt-tags images of your website as well.
There is now no question in your mind that ensuring your website is compliant with ADA standards is not a luxury, it is a must.
Remember, knowledge is power, and with most ADA-related lawsuits in the $50,000 range, it could save you a tremendous amount of headaches later on.