The federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires certain businesses to make accommodations to people with disabilities. There are no clear federal accessibility guidelines to make websites comply, however businesses still must provide an accessible website that takes into account users with disabilities. Title III of the ADA requires businesses to maintain an accessible website.
Businesses considered "public accommodations" are required to comply; the list is immense (i.e., banks, restaurants and bars, health care providers, schools, hotels, public transportation, etc.). Disability laws are complicated. We advise you to consult an experienced disability lawyer to make sure your company is in compliance.
Under Title I of the ADA, any business with at least 15 full-time employees that operates for 20 or more weeks every year is covered by the law. Title III of the ADA focuses on private and public entities that are considered "public accommodations," and requires that businesses not discriminate against customers based on disability, including providing reasonable access.
Title III prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the activities of places of public accommodations (businesses that are generally open to the public and that fall into one of 12 categories listed in the ADA, such as banks, restaurants, schools, day care facilities, recreation facilities, and doctors’ offices) and requires newly constructed or altered places of public accommodation—as well as commercial facilities (privately owned, nonresidential facilities such as factories, warehouses, or office buildings)—to comply with the ADA Standards. https://www.ada.gov/ada_title_III.htm
We work diligently to produce websites that are compliant with both W3C and Section 508. Securing sites fit into both of these compliances, is a time-consuming task that requires an extensive amount of additional training and client advocacy. Part of achieving compliance includes an in-depth page analysis, adjusting, variable font sizes, colors, structure, code, integrating Google Translate, and better-improving accessibility. Our development team understands the need to be compliant in these areas for user experience, providing assistance aids to the disabled.
Upon completion of the designed website, ADA Tests and Scans are performed (Screen Reader, PowerMapper, WAVE) to detect compliance issues. These Scans provide reports, indicating any errors and suggested resolutions. The site is significantly accessible and readable with a screen reader, to demonstrate that your business has made a good-faith effort toward accommodation. Individuals with a disability can access the most pertinent content to evaluate your services and products, location, and contact information. An Accessibility Menu Toolbar added to the site, enhances accessibility options for Americans with Disabilities. The Client participates fully in ADA standards by approving all technical recommendations, submitting ADA Compliant assets: "live" text in lieu of text content images, links, and third-party sites that are ADA compliant, and third-party PDF’s to webmaster. Always provide documents in an alternative text-based format, such as HTML or RTF (Rich Text Format), in addition to PDF. Text-based formats are the most compatible with assistive technologies.
Maintenance includes repeated ADA Tests and Scans (Screen Reader, PowerMapper, WAVE) to detect compliance issues, indicating new errors and resolution. We update, monitor, and filter out new additions to the website that is not in compliance. We can develop original documents and format to PDF’s that include ADA compliance. In some instances, we can update an existing PDF to be compliant. However, most 3rd-Party PDF’s or copyrighted materials must be sent back its originator to request an ADA compliant PDF. The Client participates fully in ADA standards. Regular ADA maintenance helps safeguard the site to remain notably in compliance. Meeting a preponderance of accessibility standards, the Client continues to approve all technical recommendations, submit ADA Compliant assets: "live" text in lieu of text content images, links, and third-party sites that are ADA compliant, and third-party PDF’s to Webmaster; and/or requesting design or development of such assets contained on the website to meet ADA compliance mandates.