Recently updated on March 1st, 2023
What is ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.
If you are a business that exists to benefit the public, a local or state government agency, or are a private employer with 15 or more employees, you should be compliant with ADA regulations.
Brief History
- Passed in 1990
- Originally for physical accommodations
- Ramps
- Elevators
- Handrails
- Originally for physical accommodations
- 2018 Changes
- Website Content Accessibility Guidelines
- Includes visual and hearing impaired support along with other disabilities that make it difficult to navigate and interact with the web including color blindness
- Websites
- Videos
- Software programs
- Website Content Accessibility Guidelines
- Overview video
4 Main Principles for Compliance
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1
- Perceivable: Able to be seen by a person with visual impairments (through assistive technology), or heard by a person who is hard of hearing or deaf
- Operable: The technology can be operated by a user with a disability.
- Understandable: The technology can be operated by users with varying cognitive abilities
- Robust: The technology is compatible with current assistive technology and is prepared to upgrade for future iterations
What Businesses Need ADA Compliance?
- All state and local government agencies
- Private employers with 15 or more employees
- Businesses operating for the benefit of the public
- Any business that gets regular foot traffic or that will be searched online by the average person
- Retail
- Restaurant
- Hotel
- Software companies
- And many more
- Any business that gets regular foot traffic or that will be searched online by the average person
Why Comply?
- 1 in 4 adults have a disability (CDC Report)
- That could be up to 25% of Your Market
- Your business can be sued
- 2,258 lawsuits in 2018
- National
- Winn-Dixie
- Hobby Lobby
- Five Guys Burgers
- Central Florida
- Gator’s Dockside
- Hollerbach’s Willow Tree
- Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken
- Along with dozens of other local businesses as of February 2018 alone
- It’s the right thing to do!
How to Comply?
- The road to compliance is technical and detailed
- Contact Your Website Professional
- ADA Compliance is an area of need for many businesses and your ad agency, marketing company or website provider should be up to speed on the guidelines to steer you in the right direction.
Help Build a More Accessible World!
Contact Next Horizon for your Digital Marketing and IT needs.
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As society becomes more aware of the importance of accessibility and inclusivity, many businesses and organizations are seeking to ensure that their products and services are accessible to people with disabilities. One way to achieve this is by complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. In this article, we’ll discuss what ADA compliance is, why it matters, and how organizations can achieve it.
What is ADA Compliance?
ADA compliance refers to ensuring that all aspects of society, including public accommodations, employment, and government services, are accessible to people with disabilities. This includes both physical accessibility and digital accessibility.
Physical accessibility involves making sure that buildings, sidewalks, and other public spaces are accessible to people with disabilities. This can involve installing ramps, elevators, and other features that make it easier for people with disabilities to navigate.
Digital accessibility, on the other hand, refers to ensuring that websites, software, and other digital products are accessible to people with disabilities. This can involve designing interfaces that are easy to use for people with vision, hearing, or motor impairments, as well as ensuring that content is presented in a way that can be read by screen readers.
Why Does ADA Compliance Matter?
Ensuring ADA compliance is not only a legal requirement, but it’s also a matter of ethics and inclusivity. By making products and services accessible to people with disabilities, organizations can create a more inclusive environment and provide equal access to opportunities for everyone.
In addition, there are several benefits to being ADA compliant. For example, organizations that are ADA compliant may have a broader customer base, as they can serve people with disabilities who might otherwise be excluded. They may also be more attractive to potential employees with disabilities, who will appreciate the organization’s commitment to inclusivity.
How to Achieve ADA Compliance
Achieving ADA compliance can be a complex process, but there are several best practices that organizations can follow to ensure that they are compliant.
One of the most important steps is to use accessible design. Designers should be aware of the needs of people with disabilities when creating physical spaces or digital products. This can involve using contrasting colors, providing captions or audio descriptions, and ensuring that interfaces are easy to navigate.
Another key step is to conduct accessibility audits. Organizations should periodically review their physical spaces and digital products to identify any accessibility issues. This can involve hiring a third-party auditor or using automated accessibility testing tools.
It’s also important to train employees on the importance of accessibility and how to interact with people with disabilities. This can include training on how to use assistive technologies, such as screen readers or hearing aids.
Finally, organizations should be prepared to provide accommodations, such as sign language interpreters or captioning, to ensure that people with disabilities have access to information and communication.
Conclusion
ADA compliance is an important issue that affects millions of people with disabilities in the United States. By following best practices and guidelines, organizations can help ensure that their physical spaces and digital products are accessible to everyone. At Next Horizon, we’re here to help you achieve ADA compliance and create a more inclusive and accessible environment. Contact us today to learn more!
