Accessibility Bulletin Week 39 – accessibility news around the globe

01 Oct 2020 | Accessibility Bulletin

Adam Turner
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Our weekly roundup of the media’s key articles on the topic of digital accessibility.

UK | Deadline passed – accessibility for all a legal requirement

With the legal requirement now in place to ensure accessibility regulations adhered to, UK Public Sector faces penalties for failing to meet accessibility requirements, they must also have an accessibility statement on their website. INDEXs’ from last quarter show some way to go, along with an ever-growing level of complacency as to ‘it is all sorted – vendor said so’. Agencies, CMS vendors are not the ones that face litigation – now more than ever important to independently understand if there are any shortcomings – you can try any website for free at: 

https://af.sitemorse.com

US | Book onto the Gallagher / Wilson Elser ADA Compliance Session 

Despite best efforts, over 94% of websites fail to meet web accessibility, often resulting in unintentional discrimination against those with disabilities and exposing your website to threats of legal aggression. A Free Webinar Series from Gallagher, Join as national law firm, Wilson Elser, leads a legal panel created by AAAtraq®, leaders in compliance identification and management services, to raise web compliance under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Oct 8     9:15am–10:00am PST  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4436378095098761231  

Oct 14   9:15am–10:00am PST  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/393278126696686351  

Oct 21   9:15am–10:00am PST    https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/884149595359072271

UK | It’s Time To Escalate The Naming And Shaming Of Inaccessible Websites

The requirements are relatively straightforward — public sector bodies including central government departments, local authorities, NHS Trusts and universities are now compelled by law to conform to a recognized global standard for web accessibility known as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1). 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/gusalexiou/2020/09/28/its-time-to-escalate-the-naming-and-shaming-of-inaccessible-websites/#248057837196

US | Audit Revealed 43 States’ Vote-By-Mail Application Forms Not Accessible 

Deque Systems’ audit of the application forms required for registered voters to vote by mail in November discovered that 43 states’ applications had some level of digital inaccessibility – making them challenging or impossible to complete by many people with disabilities.

https://www.deque.com/blog/vote-by-mail-accessibility/

US | How Businesses Can Defeat Website Accessibility Lawsuits

Despite spending millions of dollars to make their websites accessible, some businesses still encounter a steady stream of these ADA claims. So, when can a business feel confident it has done enough to defend against an ADA website accessibility lawsuit?

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/how-businesses-can-defeat-website-33311/