Have you noticed this symbol (above blue circle with man) on websites you visit? The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) accessibility symbol has been used since 1999 with the aim of making the web-based services adhere to the core principle of the ADA, which is to make all “places of public accommodation” accessible to everyone.
While there are still no concrete laws in place for websites (written April 7, 2022) the Department of Justice issued a guidance document on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for website accessibility. The guidance acknowledges that website accessibility can be achieved by abiding by the industry-developed Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 which asserts that web content should be “perceivable, operational, understandable, and robust” for all people.
The World Health Organization estimates about 15% of the global population has some form of disability and when you add in temporary disabilities, such as eye dilation or a sprained wrist, millions of people need access to the internet in a modified way. That means YOUR business should aim to allow individuals, regardless of their disability, to be able to navigate your site freely without obstacles. It’s about fairness – and the ADA accessibility feature is a meaningful tool for achieving it.
It’s never too early or too late to start considering digital accessibility; especially now, in a post-COVID world where customers have come to expect more from business websites. Digital spaces are just as, or even more important than physical locations.
Port City Marketing can help your business be accessible to all your current and potential clients by offering ADA compliance tools and suggestions that will help you improve your site’s accessibility, and take it to the next level.
With Port City ADA Accessibility feature, the majority of your site’s violations will be automatically remediated for users, behind the scenes, with no intervention required. Modifications include a screen reader, dyslexia font, color contrast correction and 40+ more customizations to meet your needs and meet government standards.