ADA Website Compliance Helps Businesses Avoid Legal Issues
August 28, 2023
For a little over 30 years, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has changed the lives of people with disabilities in America — including here in the New York metropolitan area. The civil rights law affords them the same opportunities as all others to participate various aspects of public life. Most recently, that has expanded to include digital accessibility.
ADA compliance for websites is essential to ensure that people with disabilities can access and use online information and services with the same ease as those without disabilities. While many larger corporations and well-established businesses have made efforts to become ADA compliant, smaller businesses may not be, due to costs or just not being aware of the consequences.
Why is it important for businesses to have an ADA-compliant website?
- General Liability Insurance: Many businesses have General Liability Insurance, which typically covers bodily injury and property damage claims. If a person, regardless of whether or not they have a disability, encounters barriers while using your non-compliant website and files a claim, your General Liability Insurance might be involved in covering potential legal expenses or settlements. Non-compliance can result in legal action, including lawsuits and hefty fines.
- Lawsuits and Liability Claims: Non-compliant websites can become targets for lawsuits and liability claims from individuals who are unable to use the website due to accessibility barriers. These lawsuits can lead to significant financial and reputational damage.
- Promote Equal Access: ADA website compliance promotes inclusivity and avoids discriminating against people with disabilities. For more on how to make your website more compliant, visit https://accessibe.com/ or https://adasitecompliance.com/.
- Regulatory Landscape: The regulatory environment around web accessibility is evolving, and non-compliance may result in additional regulatory requirements or stricter enforcement in the future.
- Avoiding Remediation Costs: If you are found to be non-compliant, you may be required to invest resources to make your website accessible, which can be more costly than proactively ensuring compliance.
Bottom line: ADA website compliance can be crucial in avoiding legal issues and potential claims. Check with your web designer to make sure your website is compliant. And if you ever need a review of your insurance policies, contact Rey Insurance at 914-631-7628. Visit www.reyinsurance.com.
