Is Your Website ADA Compliant?
It may be more important than you think and will help you reach audiences with visual impairments.
There are a lot of things to consider when building a business website, like the content, layout, and design. But another crucial consideration is ensuring your website is ADA compliant and accessible by people with visual impairments.
Small businesses across the country are being sued if their websites don’t comply with ADA regulations for people with visual impairments. Cases are gaining steam in Colorado, with 52 Colorado companies across all industries sued this year by out-of-state lawyers representing blind clients for websites that don’t comply with ADA website protocols.
In lawsuits against businesses, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, or WCAG, are typically used as a benchmark of accessibility. These widely accepted guidelines include using text alternatives for visually impaired people, having an adaptable website, and much more.
Websites that are being targeted typically don’t have the correct content or coding to be accessed with the aid of screen reader technology. The ADA website protocols include numerous other guidelines including photo captions, re-sizing options, and specific headings and labels.
Why Should Your Website Be WCAG Compliant?
At its core, a website should be ADA and WCAG compliant so that is accessible to everyone. Websites that don’t follow ADA guidelines or comply with the regulations can hinder the ability of people with visual disabilities to access the site. A small business website is capable of sharing information to potential clients 24/7 without using extra resources. In many ways, an accessible website opens the doors to more customers of all ability levels.
What Risks Does Your Business Face?
Any business website that doesn’t meet the WCAG is at risk for legal action from customers and members of the public. Legal action can be detrimental to your business by pulling time and resources away from growing your business and can potentially damage your reputation.
There are also financial considerations. According to Nick Pujji, an attorney from the international law firm, Dentons said on average, lawsuits against non-ADA compliant websites can cost between $10,000 and $15,000 to settle, plus legal fees.
Pujji said that his firm has already defended businesses in more than 500 similar cases, mostly on the East Coast. However, recently, he’s seen multiple cases in Colorado.
The average total cost per incident ends up being around $30,000. That large sum can be devastating to a small business and halt any momentum or forward growth the company has been making.
How Can Red Rocket Help?
Red Rocket Web Design has years of experience creating websites that are functional for customers and users of all ability levels. We’ll perform an initial audit to determine to provide what changes need to be made to make a website WCAG compliant.
We’ll then work to make sure your website is viewed properly for those of all ability levels. We’ll even add an accessibility statement to prove your commitment to serving visually impaired customers. No matter the scope of the project, we can assess the situation, provide recommendations, and ensure your website is ADA compliant. Have you clicked on the small wheelchair icon to the top right of this page? Go ahead and play with the settings!
Our services will help your website become more accessible to people with disabilities, but nothing can make you completely immune to these lawsuits. These proactive measures can set the stage for avoiding as much legal action as possible.
Of all the things to consider in your business website, make sure it is accessible by everyone. Red Rocket can help create a compliant site that still meets all the needs of your company.