Is Website Accessibility a Federal Law?
What is Website Accessiblity?
Website accessibility refers to the practice of making websites and web content usable for people with disabilities. This includes individuals with visual, auditory, physical, cognitive, and neurological impairments, as well as those who use assistive technologies such as screen readers or keyboard-only navigation.
In the United States, website accessibility is governed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The ADA applies to all organizations that are considered “places of public accommodation,” which includes websites and other online properties. This means that if your website is considered a place of public accommodation, it must be accessible to individuals with disabilities.
How Does the ADA Affect Websites?
There are a few key provisions of the ADA that relate to website accessibility. The first is Title III, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation. This includes websites, and it means that if your website is not accessible to individuals with disabilities, you may be in violation of the ADA.
The second key provision of the ADA that relates to website accessibility is Title II, which applies to state and local government websites. Under Title II, state and local government websites must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes both the design of the website and the content on the website, as well as any online services or transactions that are offered through the website.
Finally, the ADA also includes Section 508, which is a specific set of guidelines that apply to federal agencies. Under Section 508, federal agencies must ensure that their websites are accessible to individuals with disabilities, including those who use assistive technologies such as screen readers.
Summary
- Website accessibility is a federal law in the United States.
- It is governed by the ADA, which applies to all organizations that are considered places of public accommodation, as well as to state and local government websites.
- If your website is not accessible to individuals with disabilities, you may be in violation of the ADA and could face legal consequences.
- It is important to ensure that your website is accessible to all users, in order to comply with the law and to provide a positive user experience for everyone.
If you’re not sure if your website meets the minimum accessibility requirements (some do) then we invite you to order a comprehensive web assessment below.
Our Comprehensive Website Assessment will tell you where, on your website, there are visible (and sometimes invisible) areas of concern based on CURRENT requirements. AND, we’ll explain it to you in everyday language so you can make truly informed decisions about the actions you should take (or not).
