What Does a Business Need to be ADA Accessibility Compliant?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that businesses take necessary steps to accommodate people with disabilities, in “places of public accommodation”,  referring to any areas where people would typically gather to participate in society. Requirements for these spaces typically included wheelchair-accessible ramps, accessible water fountain spouts, adding raised and Braille characters to signs, all of which improve accessibility.

ADA Website Accessibility Online 

Today, those same social and economic activities often occur online. We regularly engage with organizations and each other through a range of connected devices and technologies. The ADA applies to public accommodations’ websites, and businesses are required to include those who are disabled or impaired in their virtual markets and public spaces allowing the goods, services, privileges, or activities provided by places of public accommodation to be equally accessible to those with disabilities.

The U.S. disability community is growing every year, proving that web accessibility is more important now than ever before. Many businesses make the mistake of excluding people with disabilities when they don’t invest resources into making their websites ADA-compliant. To truly commit to diversity – both internally and externally – an ADA compliant website is a simple and legally necessary step. 

According to DBS, you can ensure website accessibility is ADA compliant by meeting standards outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

The 4 Principles: 

• Perceivable

  • Provide text alternatives for non-text content.
  • Provide captions and other alternatives for multimedia.
  • Create content that can be presented in different ways, including by assistive technologies, without losing meaning.
  • Make it easier for users to see and hear content.

• Operable

  • Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
  • Give users enough time to read and use content.
  • Do not use content that causes seizures.
  • Help users navigate and find content.

• Understandable

  • Make text readable and understandable.
  • Make content appear and operate in predictable ways.
  • Help users avoid and correct mistakes.

• Robust

  • Maximize compatibility with current and future user tools.

The Importance of Having ADA 

The ADA fights against the discrimination of those with disabilities in employment, governmental activities, transportation, communications, public accommodations, and commercial facilities. Employment regulations for employers with 15 or more employees is a common area of concern, that would not lack in bringing up employee benefits claim examples. 
Businesses must make “reasonable accommodations” to assist people with disabilities. NFIB clearly laid out what the compliance with these segments may involve:

• Having written policies on job accommodations, performance expectations, and disability-related leave of absences.
• Making minor adjustments to standard operating procedures.
• Allowing service animals and mobility devices.
• Adjusting the mode of communication with customers.
• Removing physical barriers to existing structures when readily achievable  (without much difficulty or expense).

About Moody Insurance Worldwide

Moody Insurance Worldwide, a division of Moody & Associates that was founded in 1914, is a leading provider of risk management programs and insurance coverage to individuals and businesses across the East Coast. We write all sizes of businesses, with technical expertise in many key industry areas, and provide personal insurance programs for estates and high net worth individuals. Our licensed, experienced commercial account managers can work with you to determine the coverage that you need at a competitive rate. Contact us today at (855) 868-0170 to learn more about what we can do for you.