3 Reasons Your Website Should Be ADA Compliant
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination. While websites and other digital content online are still not explicitly mentioned in the ADA, regulations and court orders show that the ADA does apply to web content.
Simply put, being ADA compliant means you have made your website accessible for everyone, regardless of their ability. Not complying means individuals with a disability such as a visual impairment can’t access your website as it’s intended – and leaves you vulnerable to potential lawsuits.
With the right tools, the steps required to get compliant are easy, whereas the consequences of being inaccessible can be costly. That’s why Hanna Creative Co. has partnered with Userway. Userway is an ADA compliant software company that provides compliance solutions to Fortune 1000 companies and small businesses. Pricing plans start at $490 per year and you can receive a 5% discount by using HANNACR5 at checkout.
Userway’s flexible design capabilities let you position the Userway icon on your site on desktop and mobile views and customize it by color. The accessibility screen pops up for a streamlined view. For designer-driven websites like the ones we create, this is a perfect option to have it work seamlessly with your brand.
Here are three reasons why your company’s website should be ADA compliant:
1) It’s The Right Thing To Do
The most important reason your company’s website should be ADA-compliant is that it’s the right thing to do. Many people worldwide have a disability, visual or neuromotor, which may make them unable to use your website without the accommodation of it being built for a screen reader.
Here are the facts when it comes to disability:
1 in 5 Americans has a disability.
80 million Europeans have a disability.
Globally, more people are disabled than the number of people who live in China.
2) Mitigate Legal Risk
Not complying means individuals with a disability such as a visual impairment can’t access your website as intended, leaving you vulnerable to potential lawsuits. If an individual with a disability claims they cannot access your website, your company may be hit with legal fees, a possible settlement, or a potential public relations issue.
3) Promote a Culture of Empathy & Inclusiveness
A company’s approach to digital accessibility is a great way to foster diversity in their work and company culture. Ignoring accessibility issues until you’re penalized can disenfranchise employees and send the wrong message to current and potential customers with impairments. Web accessibility is the next frontier of the civil rights movement and perhaps the most explicit form of inequality in the U.S. today.
Disability inclusion not only requires us to address stigmas and taboos but is integrally dependent on the presence of and access to special accommodations.
