Supreme Court Rules ADA Protections Apply to Websites
The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has recently ruled that ADA protections don't just apply to restaurants and stores but also to the websites and apps of those businesses.
Internet accessibility is no longer optional. If your website isn’t already accessible—so people with disabilities of hearing, movement, sight, and cognitive ability can use it—then making it accessible is key to how you market your business online in 2024.
If your business falls under the physical ADA law such as stores, restaurants, hotels, movie theaters, museums, and doctor’s offices, etc., it now falls under the website accessibility law as an extension of the business.
All other businesses currently fall under the Human Rights Act, which stipulates any person deserves access to public venues, and all websites are public. So even if you're a sole proprietor in the service sector, you can easily get sued.
What's The Solution?
You can meet accessibility regulations with the quickest and most cost effective method available! Our code widgets make it easy for users to tailor how they interact with your website online.
Text Reader
The text reader is a built in widget that reads only textual content(s) in the document. The tool addresses users who have difficulty reading various textual content(s) and users with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). By using text reader, the user can control the reading flow using the mouse and/ or keyboard. Moreover, the user has full control of the reading rate and sound pitch of the reader widget.
Keyboard Navigation
Many users with motor disabilities have difficulty using a mouse; and blind or visual impaired users routinely use keyboard navigation. The Keyboard Navigation function meets the WCAG 2.0 standard requirements and provides full accessibility enabling users to navigate through pages using the keyboard alone.
Blinks Blocking
This tool is for users who are susceptible to seizures caused by strobing, flickering, or flashing effects as well as users with learning disabilities. The Blinks Blocking tool eliminates any graphics, news-tickers, marquees, galleries, auto-play, or other animations which may be distracting or cause a photo-epileptic seizure to occur.
Monochrome, Dark High Contrast, Bright High Contrast
In accordance to the WCAG 2.0 guidelines, this tool provides 3 different contrast display options that enable changing the text and background color so that it can be easily read by a user with a visual impairment.
Accessibility Toolbar Additional Functions:
Increase Font Size, Decrease Font Size, Readable Font.
This tool package allows users with low visual impairments the option to increase or decrease text size or to select a basic, simple, easily-readable font without the loss of readability or functionality.
Image Descriptions
Images and graphics make the surrounding content easier to understand. The WCAG 2.0 states that all non-text content should have a text alternative that provides an equivalent meaning as the image. The image description tool follows section 1.4.5 of the WCAG Success criterion to make sure that image information is displayed prominently and the intended concept or meaning of the image is made clear to the users.
Other functionalities to improve usability for low vision users includes: a large white cursor, large black cursor, links and header highlighters.
These suite of accessibility tools, all packaged in one easy-to-install widget, meets the WCAG 2.0 specified conformance level “Triple – A” guidelines.
Accommodating disabled visitors is one of the quickest ways you can reach more prospects. 71% of web users with a disability will simply leave a website that is not accessible to them.
According to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau, 51 million people in the US aged 15 and older have a disability:
19.9 million have difficulty lifting or grasping, impacting use of a mouse or keyboard; and
8.1 million have a visual disability; they might rely on a screen magnifier or a screen reader, or might have a form of color blindness.
The Census Bureau also reports that 7.6 million have a hearing disability; they might rely on transcripts and/or captions for audio and video media.
By making digital content accessible, your organization can reach more customers, increase customer satisfaction, and gain a competitive edge over those who don’t include accessibility features.
Email me today at
rick@kickingassmedia.com
to get started:
1) If you're ready, just provide your name and business name.
I'll email you a proposal for your website.
2) If you have questions or want to discuss in more detail, please
give me your phone number and best time to talk on the phone.
Free vs Paid Widget Features comparison
The Free version does not include some of the most important functions under accessibility regulation:
- Screen reader adjustments
- Keyboard navigation
- Blinks Blocking
- Voice commands
- No Accessibility statements
- No feedback form
Most lawsuits today are filled by blind users which must have the Screen Reader and Voice Command features.
Showcasing your Accessibility statement is also one the best ways to avoid prosecution.
100% ADA Compliance
If you have a high profile website, or one with significant potential liability, or a website that depends on disabled accessibility, getting your website to 100% ADA compliance may be non-negotiable.
We can make that happen, with a $1,000,000 warranty.
This compliance requires significant coding and customization. Your costs will be a minimum of $10,000, depending on the complexity and requirements of your website.
Please contact us for more details and a specific price quotation.
Supported Platforms & CMS
Our accessibility widgets can be used on all the most popular website platforms.
We can help you make your website and all your digital content accessible without modifying your code.
Just insert one-line-of-code for these website platforms, and we will do the rest!
Image Attributions:
Store icon by Icons8
Storekeeper icon by Icons8
