The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a comprehensive civil rights law, requires certain businesses to make accommodations for people with disabilities. Title III of the ADA mandates that all “places of public accommodation” are legally required to remove any “access barriers” that would hinder a disabled person’s access to a business’s goods or services. Since the act was signed in 1990, it has helped make public places more accessible for the disabled. Accommodations such as elevators, ramps, and handicapped parking spots are available because of the ADA.
Since the importance of the Internet in our everyday lives is continuously increasing, a better online experience for all types of people has become a priority. That’s why in 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule making stating they were going to amend the language in Title III of the ADA to ensure it would also apply to website accessibility. It establishes that web content should be accessible to the blind, deaf, and those who must navigate by voice, screen readers or other assistive technologies.
So which businesses are required to comply with the ADA?
Under Title I of the ADA, businesses with at least 15 full-time employees that operate for 20 or more weeks every year is covered by the law. Under Title III, businesses that fall into the category of “public accommodation,” such as hotels, banks, and public transportation, are also required to comply. This means the entirety of the law applies, from physical considerations to digital accommodations.
There are three levels of accessibility under the Web Consortium Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): Level A (beginner), Level AA (intermediate), and Level AAA (advanced). The more accessible you want your website to be, the more work that needs to be done. At Pierson Media, we aim to achieve Level AA Compliance level of accessibility, which is standard and provides more benefits to a greater number of users than Level A. All modern websites are encouraged to achieve this level. If your website isn’t accessible for all web users, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to build your audience and generate leads. Our team is exceptional at leveraging our clients’ audiences for exponential growth. Find out how we can begin helping your brand grow today!