Residents and businesses in California might not know that ADA compliance is necessary for websites. An accessible website can increase the number of people that a business reaches in today’s market. According to studies, customers with disabilities as well as their families and friends account for a $3 trillion market segment.
What is ADA compliance?
There is a set of guidelines that all websites must meet. Someone who is hearing impaired or visually impaired can still access the website’s goods and services. The World Wide Web Consortium, or W3C, has developed a set of guidelines for web developers and the owners of websites. Some accessible changes to a site include color contrast for those who are color blind and more.
Levels of accessibility include the following: A means it is below acceptable, AA is standard and is where you might want to fall, and AAA means that the website is exceptional. Accepted guidelines for websites may be occasionally updated.
You can increase your website audience
In regard to a business, a lawsuit for non-compliance can cost as much as $150,000. In addition to complying with the law, adding such features as the following can increase traffic and accessibility:
• Alternate text for images
• Video transcripts
• Meta tagging
Compliance benefits the community
Not only does compliance benefit your business by increasing your audience and customer base, it is beneficial to the community. This is mainly because all people can participate since people with disabilities no longer face as many barriers.
Some things of which to be aware
No matter the industry of your business, your website should be compliant. However, you may have someone saying that your website is not ADA compliant. Sometimes, ADA compliance lawsuits can be frivolous; this pertains to websites as well as brick-and-mortar shops. If your business is being targeted for non-ADA compliance, it might be time to speak to an experienced ADA defense attorney.