Did You Know...Your Inaccessible Website May Get You Sued Up To $100,000? Yup, It’s True!

There is no doubt in the fact that your website should be accessible to everyone. You wouldn’t want to lose a potential audience over a mere failure to provide digital inaccessibility. But how much of a choice do you have here? 

Digital Accessibility

Apparently, you don’t have much choice over the fact whether you want to make your website design accessible to everyone or not: you are required to do so by law. 

An Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was created by the United States Department of Justice. Under the act, you are required to publish a website that is equally accessible to both the able and the disabled. In case you fail to conform to the standards set by the ADA, you are likely to be sued for a major penalty. In the worst-case scenario, you may even be sued for up to a mind-boggling $100,000.

The Root

It all began with the Americans with Disabilities Act which clearly states that every individual regardless of his or her condition will enjoy equal access to restaurants, public restrooms, and buildings etc. DOJ has recently stated that the same law will now be applicable for websites.

Unfortunately, not many people still know about the importance of being ADA compliant. If you aren’t, you are making yourself prone to legal charges. Businesses that do not follow this act not only lose potential customers, but may have to engage in lawsuits that will cost them thousands of dollars.

What If I Don’t Comply Yet?

There are many businesses that don’t yet fall under ADA compliance. If you are approached by a federal agency, you will probably have around six months to have your website redesigned. However, the penalty depends on the number of users your website touches. In case the number is high and the website is not offering equal services to the disabled as it is to the abled, you are prone to a greater penalty.  

The Benefit in Becoming ADA Compliant 

When it comes to digital accessibility, a lot of small businesses complain that it costs a lot. For them, the IRS offers a reimbursement of the cost incurred to set up a new ADA compliant website design. In addition to that, catering to the disabled only adds to the number of potential leads you cater to online. More people means greater chances of increasing sales. 

If your website does not comply with the ADA standards yet, here is what you can do to change that for good.

Start off by labeling the data tables on your website with headings. If you have any media, make sure that it has transcripts attached alongside. Also, stick to the most common designing standards so everyone is able to access your website with ease. 

In short, if you haven’t yet made your website compliant to the ADA standards, it is best that you act now and alter the digital accessibility. If anything, it will save you a lot on a potential lawsuit.