Is your website ADA compliant? Your response could be that you have no idea about your website’s compliance status, and that’s pretty normal.
ADA compliance is a complicated and constantly changing topic that involves technical, design, and color contrast choices determining whether your site passes or fails compliancy.
Even if your site was previously compliant, changes to rules and regulations and any updates that may have been made on your website might introduced new issues. Without a routine process to check ongoing compliance, it’s likely that your site could be out of alignment with current standards.
In this 3-part article series, I’ll:
- Dive into the concept of ADA compliance
- Identify who is required to comply
- See how you can check to see if your site is in compliance
- Provide actionable steps you can take to get your website up-to-date
Let’s begin by examining the most recent updates to these regulations!
Understanding the New ADA Compliance Title II Regulations
In a landmark update, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has revised the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II regulations as of April 24, 2024.
These changes mandate that state and local governments, as well as their third-party contractors and software vendors, must ensure their digital content (even on websites and mobile apps) is accessible to individuals with disabilities.
This new rule aligns with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, specifically at the A and AA levels.
Key Details of the New Title II Rule
The revised regulations require compliance with WCAG 2.1 A/AA standards, which focus on making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. The timeline for compliance depends on the size of the population served:
- Large jurisdictions have two years to meet the new standards
- Small jurisdictions have up to three years
Understanding these requirements is important for organizations to avoid potential legal issues and ensure they are providing inclusive digital experiences for their users.
Want to find out if your website passes ADA compliance standards? Book an appointment with me today for a preliminary assessment of your website with actionable steps to get your website compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions about ADA Compliance
ADA compliance refers to adhering to requirements set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal law designed to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to public services, programs, and facilities.
For digital content, like websites and mobile apps, ADA compliance means meeting specific accessibility standards to make sure that users with disabilities can navigate, interact with, and benefit from these digital resources as effectively as those without disabilities.
Yes! Organizations can face legal action for failing to comply with the updated ADA Title II regulations. Non-compliance can result in lawsuits from individuals who encounter accessibility barriers on your website or app. Legal challenges can lead to costly settlements or judgments and damage your organization’s reputation. You can mitigate these risks and demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity by proactively addressing accessibility requirements.
