05 Sep 2019 | Accessibility
This week there has been much discussion on the regulations and the number of sites that are still failing. There’s been a lot of discussion about Accessibility, especially relating to social media and Education, this week. As usual 5 of the best are listed below. The summaries and links to the full articles can be found further down the page:
- US | So many still saying ‘we have it sorted’ – 94% actually failing.
Companies that don’t want to spend money making their website compliant are taking a risk. If they are sued they will have to pay a fine and then pay to fix their website.
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. is one of the first to be sued, opening the flood gates – considerable cost and time spent, and what was the end result?… Address accessibility on the site to the WCAG requirement and report as such on an ongoing basis. It’s easy money for a number of law firms across the US, and after the time and expense of a case you are ordered to address compliance.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-flsd-1_16-cv-23020/pdf/USCOURTS-flsd-1_16-cv-23020-1.pdf - UK | Making online public services accessible
UK Public Sector websites have a long way to go until they are compliant with the law.
Regulations mean public sector organisations will soon have a legal duty to make sure websites and apps meet accessibility requirements.
Public sector websites published on or after 23 September 2018 must be compliant by 23 September 2019. Any websites due to be published after this date must be compliant before going live.
Public sector websites published before 23 September 2018 must be compliant by 23 September 2020.
How can so many still be falling then? The Sitemorse Q3 2019 UK Central Government INDEX, shows 23% falling A, 97% failing AA, take a look at the results.
https://accessibility.campaign.gov.uk/ - US | Where are you really? Believe the facts.
The first step towards digital compliance is understanding where you are – it’s time to stop listening to your suppliers and instead gain an independent view.
Lawyers are being seen as overly aggressive – ever wonder why? Easy money…. With the majority of websites failing, things are not going to improve, especially for those the regulations are supposed to be supporting. One key factor it would seem could be service suppliers – everyone wants to believe a great promise! It is now time for management to take steps to independently see where they are at, and they can for FREE – take a risk summary from AAAtraq.
https://aaatraq.com - US | Making business websites ADA compliant
The American Disabilities Act is about ensuring equal access to all people. The web may not have existed in 1990 but it’s important to do the right thing.
Members of the Chamber of Commerce recently received a “business alert” from the agency notifying them of lawsuits being filed regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act non-compliance of business websites. “There’s also been some feeling there are law firms pursuing this just to make a buck,”
Passed in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act’s main goal was to provide equal access and experience to all people. Over time it expanded from physical location requirements into world wide web access that would make content accessible to the blind, deaf, and those who must navigate by voice, screen readers or other technologies that assist users with disabilities.
https://www.montereyherald.com/2019/08/31/making-business-websites-ada-compliant/
- UK | Accessibility Regulations.
What exactly are the Accessibility Regulations in the UK, to whom and when do they apply and not apply?
The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
These Regulations apply to a website or mobile application of a public sector body, except a website or mobile application of—
- public service broadcasters and their subsidiaries, and of other bodies or their subsidiaries fulfilling a public service broadcasting remit;
- non-governmental organisations, unless they provide services that—
- are essential to the public; or
- specifically address the needs of, or are meant for, persons with disabilities; and
- schools or nurseries, except for the content of their websites or mobile applications relating to essential online administrative functions.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/952/contents/made