Website Accessibility
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses to accommodate people with disabilities. When we think of ADA, we often think of wheelchair ramps and service animals. Along with these and many other vital accessibility services, don’t forget your website. Both Title I and Title III of the ADA require businesses to provide accessibility. This means, in addition to the wheelchair ramps you installed and the signs you redesigned to pass color contrast requirements, you must also provide accessible web content.
Business owners should also remember that federal ADA guidelines are not the only disability laws. Certain states also prohibit disability discrimination. For example, California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act requires accessible accommodations. We encourage you to check the laws in your state so you know you are complying with all laws and regulations.
Sometimes, laws can be hard to interpret without the help of an attorney. If you’re not sure if you are required to comply with the federal ADA requirements, we recommend contacting your attorney for assistance. In the meantime, here are a couple of questions to help you decide if you need to provide an accessible website:
- Does your business engage in an industry affecting commerce?
- Does your business employ more than 15 full-time employees?
- Is your business considered one of the following (this list is not inclusive of all businesses requiring accessibility):
- Grocery store/bakery
- Restaurant/bar
- School
- Recreation venue
- Laundromat/dry cleaners
- Gym
If you answer yes to any of these questions, your website must be accessible to all users, regardless of ability. If you need assistance providing an accessible website, you’re in luck. We can help you provide accessible digital content, including both your website and your online documents.
Website Accessibility Services
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Accessible website design, development, and management
In addition to a beautiful, personal, professional, and functional website, your website will also be compliant with Section 508 and WCAG. Your investment in digital accessibility will prove highly beneficial. Not only will your content be accessible to those with disabilities, but you will also experience improved SEO (search engine optimization to help your website rise to the top of the search list), and since the content will be written with high-quality code, it will ensure a flawless user experience for everyone.
Our expert teams are trained in website accessibility. We review and test accessibility during every step of development, avoiding the possibility of delays from unforeseen accessibility barriers. In addition to providing an accessible website from day one, we also keep it accessible. This means you won’t have to worry about someone creating an accessibility error with the very first update.
Contact us today to find out how we can create an accessible website for you and keep it that way.
Website accessibility audits
Website accessibility audits are an important step in the development and maintenance of an accessible website. Additionally, if you receive a notice from the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) that your website violates website accessibility standards, you will be required to provide an accessibility audit. Whether you are being proactive to reduce business risk and ensure you have an accessible digital presence that increases customer satisfaction or you already received a notice from the OCR, we will walk you through each step to compliance.
What do we include in a website accessibility audit?
Using the Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology (WCAG-EM) established by expert leaders in accessibility, we will identify the necessary improvements required to achieve compliance with current WCAG Level AA guidelines. Our audits provide you with a detailed assessment of your website. We will either confirm your website is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for everyone or provide you with the information you need to meet these requirements.
Our audit techniques include software-assisted automated testing, manual verification, assistive technology (e.g., screen readers) testing by accessibility experts, and the use of disabled assistive technology users to review items including but not limited to the following:
- Keyboard navigation
- Alt text for graphic images
- Form structure
- Color contrast
- Consistent navigation
- Document accessibility
- Content scaling
Upon completion of the audit, we will provide the following:
- Compliance summary
- Detailed list of accessibility barriers
- Recommended remediation techniques
- Sample Corrective Action Plan
If needed, we will meet with you to explain our findings in further detail.
Now that you know an accessibility audit is what you need, we know the next question: how much does an accessibility audit cost? You’ve probably asked Google this same question and can’t find a good answer. That’s because the time and effort it takes to provide a website accessibility audit depend on the size and complexity of the website. For example, a 10-page website that was designed with accessibility in mind is going to cost less than an 800-page website developed by someone who hasn’t been trained in accessible design and development.
Contact us today for a personalized website accessibility quote, and let’s get your website up to par with accessibility standards.
Document Accessibility Services
Biz Webmasters offers document accessibility services that can be customized to fit your needs. Select one of our document accessibility services below to learn more.
- Document remediation (PDF, MS Office, etc.)
- Document accessibility training