Website ADA Compliance: Understanding ADA and Section 508
What is the ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law enacted in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including websites. Title III of the ADA mandates that businesses open to the public must ensure their services are accessible to people with disabilities. Utilizing a simple accessiBe plugin on your Website will make you compliant and open up more audience opportunities.
What is Section 508?
Section 508 is an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, requiring federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. While it directly applies to federal entities, its standards influence broader web accessibility practices.
The High Cost of Website ADA Non-Compliance
Failing to comply with accessibility standards can lead to significant legal and financial repercussions:
• Target Corporation faced a class-action lawsuit in 2006 for an inaccessible website, resulting in a $6 million settlement.
• Domino’s Pizza was sued by a blind customer unable to use their website and app. The case escalated to the Supreme Court, which declined to hear it, leaving the lower court’s decision in favor of the plaintiff intact.
• Carnival Corp agreed to a $405,000 settlement over accessibility issues, including those on its website and apps.
These cases highlight the importance of ensuring digital accessibility to avoid costly litigation and reputational damage.
Introducing accessiBe: An Affordable Compliance Solution
accessiBe offers an AI-powered solution designed to make websites accessible and compliant with ADA and WCAG 2.1 standards. Its key features include:
• Automated Accessibility Adjustments: accessiBe scans and modifies website content in real-time to ensure compliance.
• User Interface & Design Adjustments: Provides tools for users to customize the website’s appearance to their needs, such as adjusting font sizes and contrast.
• Screen Reader and Keyboard Navigation Optimization: Enhances compatibility with assistive technologies.
• Affordable Pricing: Starts at $49 per month, making it accessible for small to medium-sized businesses.
Comparing accessiBe to Manual Compliance Efforts
Achieving compliance manually involves:
• Hiring Accessibility Experts: Hiring a web development team to get your current website compliant can range from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on website complexity.
• Ongoing Maintenance: Regular updates and audits are necessary to maintain compliance, incurring additional costs.
• Time-Consuming Process: Manual remediation can take weeks or months.
In contrast, accessiBe offers:
• Quick Implementation: Installation can be completed in as little as 5 minutes.
• Continuous Compliance: The AI scans the website every 24 hours to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Significantly reduces expenses compared to manual methods.
Getting Your Business Website ADA Compliance Legal
Ensuring your website is accessible is not only a legal obligation but also a moral one, promoting inclusivity and expanding your customer base. accessiBe offers a practical and affordable solution for businesses to achieve compliance and avoid potential lawsuits. However, combining automated tools with manual reviews is advisable to ensure comprehensive accessibility.
Note: As an agency that has been building and marketing online businesses for over 25 years, we like AccessiBe as a resource. There are options; look around. Remember, this post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for specific legal guidance on ADA and Section 508 compliance.
