If your website is not ADA compliant, you may face expensive lawsuits.
Website ADA Compliance is now a law
ADA compliance describes the Americans with Disabilities Act for Accessible Design. It states that all digital and information technology including websites, need to be accessible to people with disabilities. Since ADA includes electronic and information technology, ADA compliance impacts mostly all companies and websites.
Who requires to follow ADA requirements?
- State and local government companies
- Private companies with 15 or more employees
- Organizations that operate for the benefit of the public
Important
businesses in the United States that work with a Canadian audience will also need to be compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
What will happen if your website is not ADA compliant?
If you are a website owner, it is your obligation to ensure your site is ADA compliant. Otherwise, you are accountable. A legal action could be filed against your company if individuals with specials needs cannot access or use your website.
Even if your company did not mean to discriminate or exclude individuals with specials needs from browsing or using your website, you could pay thousands of dollars in lawsuits.
Fines for breaking the Americans With Disabilities Act
- $55,000 to $75,000 for first-time violations
- $150,000 for every repeat violation
If your organization receives federal funding, the government may revoke those funds. Even if your company did not intend to make your website inaccessible to people with disabilities, you can still get fined by the federal government. Not to mention, affected parties may file a civil lawsuit against your business as well.
A huge under-estimated global market
People with disabilities represent a large but often underestimated global market. According to the American Institutes for Research® (AIR), working-age Americans with disabilities earn around $490 billion a year in disposable income. However, AIR® argues businesses are not making enough effort to serve this population.
People with disabilities are valuable consumers who influence the spending decisions of other people around them. This relationship shows how ADA compliance can indirectly influence where people spend their money.
Benefits of ADA compliant website
- delights and attracts new customers
- website is easier for search engine indexing
- improve user experience
- avoid expensive lawsuits
- boost customer reach and build a stronger business
Companies should be proud to announce to the public what they have done to make users’ online experience even better. There is absolutely no reason to avoid making your organization’s online content more accessible. It just benefits everybody.
We can help to make your website become ADA compliant?
Achieving ADA compliance for your website can be daunting. Many companies charge expensive monthly or yearly subscription fees. However, we can make your website ADA accessible at a very affordable price. An ADA compliant website not only prevents you from expensive lawsuits but can also expand your audience reach.
Another helpful article
What are ADA requirements?
Contact Us
If you want your website to be ADA compliant without worrying about costly lawsuits, contact us via our contact form or email us at daniel@excellonmarketing.com
