May, as always, has been a busy month for accessibility news as we celebrated Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on the 19^th. We saw many organizations promoting new technologies, and celebrating GAAD in their own way, aiming to increase awareness of digital inclusivity.

The month has also seen many stories hitting the headlines including class action lawsuits being reported, articles covering the things that make these websites a target for the lawyers and pieces talking about why accessibility is important.

Multiple Class Action Lawsuits

We’ve seen multiple class action lawsuits being reported over the last month across various sectors and including some big names. Here are some of the recent ones:

• https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/marriott-class-action-claims-website-not-accessible-to-blind-visually-impaired/
• https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/all-elite-wrestling-class-action-claims-website-not-accessible-to-blind-visually-impaired/
• https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/pnc-class-action-alleges-website-not-accessible-to-blind-visually-impaired/ 
• https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/uncommon-goods-class-action-claims-website-not-accessible-to-blind-visually-impaired/
• https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/talbots-class-action-claims-website-not-accessible-to-blind-visually-impaired/
• https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/dell-class-action-alleges-website-not-accessible-to-blind-visually-impaired/
• https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/choice-hotels-ada-class-action-claims-website-not-accessible-to-blind-visually-impaired-individuals/
• https://topclassactions.com/es/disability-class-action-lawsuit/whole-foods-class-action-claims-website-not-accessible-to-blind-visually-impaired/
• https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/colgate-university-class-action-claims-website-not-accessible-to-blind-visually-impaired/

Federal rules still fuzzy on website access for disabled

This piece goes into detail about what the recent guidance from the Department of Justice (DOJ) means for people living with disabilities and why class actions may still continue to rise.

https://www.newsday.com/business/columnists/jamie-herzlich/website-accessibility-disabled-lawsuits-justice-department-o8ojhq92

What Is An Accessibility Statement And Why Have One?

An Accessibility statement is an important part of a website, but many organizations don’t know where to start with one, what to include when writing one, or even why they need one. This useful piece sheds some light on them.

https://blog.usablenet.com/what-is-an-accessibility-statement-and-why-have-one-0

Low-Hanging Fruit: 4 Accessibility Issues That Make a Website an Easy Target

There are many things that impact the accessibility of a website, however, there are a couple of things that make websites ‘quick wins’ for lawyers – make sure your website isn’t at risk.

https://www.boia.org/blog/low-hanging-fruit-5-accessibility-issues-that-make-a-website-an-easy-target

U.S. Tennis Association Seeks to Dismiss Disability Bias Suit

This piece covers how serial some plaintiffs are, this particular one, filed 79 nearly identical complaints. Whilst the website may not be compliant, the serial plaintiffs shouldn’t be the winners in cases, the best result would be for organizations to improve their inclusion and improve the experience for users living with disabilities.

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/social-justice/u-s-tennis-association-seeks-to-dismiss-disability-bias-suit

The Importance of Website Accessibility in 2022

In this article, Grant gives not only the legal reasons for putting accessibility in organizations agenda but also the more general business reasons including increasing the customer base.

https://techbullion.com/the-importance-of-website-accessibility-in-2022/

Apple previews innovative accessibility features combining the power of hardware, software, and machine learning

As part of GAAD, Apple announced accessibility features coming later in the year that will provide users with disabilities new tools for navigation, health, communication, and more.

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/05/apple-previews-innovative-accessibility-features/

Digital inequality: Why can I enter your building, but your website shows me the door?

The title says it all. Physical accessibility is, in the main, seamless in society today, for example, ramps next to stairways. Digital accessibility needs to move to this level of seamlessness too.

https://techxplore.com/news/2022-05-digital-inequality-website-door.html