UnderstandingAccessibility in a digital world

Q: Did you know about the ADA Tax Incentives?

Absolutely. Business owners who invest in accessibility can benefit from a tax credit of up to $5,000. You can access the IRS tax incentive information and tax forms for your tax professional's review.

Is your website ADA & WCAG compliant? Get your Free audit today.

Getting started

What is Accessibility?

In today’s digital landscape, ensuring accessibility is not limited to physical locations but extends to websites as well. Just as businesses are required to provide wheelchair-accessible ramps under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), websites now need to make similar adjustments to accommodate individuals with disabilities. This can include adding image descriptions for screen readers to convey information to blind users.

Accessibility, which encompasses various web accessibility standards like ADA, Section 508, WCAG, AODA, ACA, IS5568, and more, plays a vital role in making websites inclusive for all users. With the increasing importance of online accessibility, it is crucial to be aware of the risks associated with non-compliance and the advantages of ensuring your website meets accessibility guidelines.

Continue reading to learn more about accessibility and get your own site ADA compliance report for free.

Understanding

Why is ADA Compliance important?

1. Mitigate Risk

Reduce Legal Liabilities: In the year 2021, approximately 300,000 website owners (equivalent to about 1% of small businesses) were issued Demand Letters due to non-compliance with website accessibility standards, leading to potential litigation.

With the average settlement amounting to approximately $30,000, ensuring accessibility on your website becomes crucial in mitigating such legal and reputational risks.

2. Competitive Advantage

Maximize your website’s potential and gain a competitive advantage by optimizing its reach. Keeping up with the latest trends is essential, especially when it comes to the rapidly expanding field of accessibility. Websites serve diverse communities, including individuals with disabilities, who make up a significant portion of the population (roughly around 15%).

By ensuring your website is accessible, you can tap into a vast and underserved audience, unlocking new opportunities for growth. Accessibility not only improves user experience but also helps reduce bounce rates, ensuring that all visitors can easily access and engage with your valuable content.

3. It's the right thing to do

By making your website accessible, you demonstrate respect and consideration for the diverse needs of your audience, allowing everyone to fully engage with your content and services. It reflects a commitment to treating all individuals with dignity and fairness, aligning with the principles of social responsibility and ethical conduct.

Lets get some questions answered

FAQs

How can I make my website ADA compliant?

In reality, there are a few approaches you can take to make your website ADA compliant. You can do all of the heavy lifting by coding the entire website by hand. Luckily we have partnered with accessiBe, the industry leaders and pioneers of an AI powered solution called accessWidget. This solution is a cost-efficient software that automates the process making your website vastly more accessible.

Who needs to be ADA compliant?

Any entity that owns or operates a place of public accommodation, such as businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations, needs to be ADA compliant. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and mandates that places of public accommodation must be accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities. This includes both physical locations and digital spaces, such as websites and online services. Therefore, businesses and organizations that serve the public must ensure their websites and other digital assets are ADA compliant to provide equal access and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities.

Examples of businesses being affected the most: Education, Healthcare, Food Industry, Finance Industry, Automotive Industry, eCommerce Businesses, Law firms, Government Agencies.

How much does website accessibility cost?

Making your website ADA compliant can be pretty pricey if you decide to hand code everything. However the cost to implement AccessWidget is $600 per year. This price includes installation, ongoing maintenance, an accessibility statement, monthly compliance audits, and accessiBe’s litigation support package)

Did you know about the ADA Tax Incentives?

Absolutely. Business owners who invest in accessibility can benefit from a tax credit of up to $5,000. You can access the IRS tax incentive information and tax forms for your tax professional’s review.

What is 508 compliance?

508 compliance, also known as Section 508 compliance, refers to adhering to the accessibility standards outlined in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This federal law mandates that electronic and information technology (EIT) used or developed by government agencies must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. In the context of website accessibility, 508 compliance ensures that people with disabilities can navigate, perceive, and interact with online content effectively.

As a service, accessiBe is a leading solution that assists websites in achieving 508 compliance and other accessibility standards. It employs AI-powered tools and automation to make websites more accessible for users with disabilities, providing a seamless user experience and helping businesses meet their inclusivity goals.

Have additional questions regarding
ADA & WCAG compliance?

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