Did you know that more than 2,300 website accessibility lawsuits were filed in 2021? And that’s just in the United States!
Most of these cases target Consumer Goods, Services & Retail companies. But really, any company with a website is at risk.
New York had the highest number of filings, with more than 62% of all cases happening nationwide. Five plaintiffs accounted for more than 22% of all website accessibility lawsuits.
So what is website accessibility, and why does it matter?
Simply put, website accessibility means people with disabilities can use your site. This includes people with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments.
Making your site accessible benefits everyone. People with disabilities are your customers, employees, and family members. In fact, 1 in 5 people has a disability.
But it’s not just the right thing to do. It’s also the law. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life, including websites.
And many states have their own laws, too. Plus, if you want to do business with the federal government, your site must comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
So if your website is not accessible, you could face hefty fines. Not to mention the damage to your reputation and inability to land federal contracts.
So what can you do to make your site accessible? Here are some tips:
- Use simple, clear language
- Optimize for mobile
- Provide alt text for images
- Include captions for videos
- Use headings and lists
- Design for all senses
Making your website accessible is not only the right thing to do, it’s also the law. Don’t risk being sued – make your site accessible today!
Warning: Website Owners Who Ignore The ADA Risk Bankruptcy
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990. The law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life, including websites.
Since the law was passed, very few lawsuits have been filed under the ADA.
But that changed in March 2022 when the U.S. Department of Justice issued new guidelines for website accessibility. The department said that all websites must be accessible to people with disabilities.
The number of lawsuits has been increasing ever since. There were only 508 lawsuits filed in 2017. But that number jumped to 2,258 in 2018. And it was on track to exceed 5,000 in 2019.
Most lawsuits have been filed against companies in the Consumer Goods, Services & Retail industry. But really, any company with a website is at risk.
The states with the most lawsuits are California, Florida, and New York. But lawsuits have been filed in all 50 states.
So why are so many people filing lawsuits?
There are a few reasons.
First, the Department of Justice has made it clear that website accessibility is a priority. The department has said that it will “vigorously enforce” the ADA.
Second, many states have their own laws that require accessible websites. And some of these laws allow people to file lawsuits if they find an inaccessible website.
Third, a few law firms specialize in filing these lawsuits. They often target companies that they know are not compliant with the ADA.
The good news is that it’s not too late to make your website accessible. And it doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.
Some companies even offer a free audit to help you identify accessibility problems on your site.
So if you haven’t made your website accessible, now is the time to do it. Don’t wait until you’re sued. It could be too late by then.
Making your website accessible is the right thing to do. It’s also the law. And it’s good for business. So what are you waiting for? Get started today.
