The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed by Congress in 1990, and signed into law by President George Bush. The purpose of the ADA is to ensure equal access to all Americans regardless of disability. The ADA applies to both public and private entities.
In order to be in compliance with the ADA, a business must ensure that their website is accessible to people with disabilities. The ADA defines an Accessible Web Site as a web site that meets the following criteria:
o Is available to people with disabilities
o Has a text alternative that can be used to view the content of the web site
o Can be used to navigate the site
o Can be understood by screen readers
o Is usable with a keyboard
If you are not sure if your website is ADA compliant, you can ask your web designer or web developer to determine whether your site is compliant. If you are unsure, you should contact an attorney who specializes in the ADA to make sure that your site is ADA compliant.
The ADA also requires that a business provide sign language interpreters for deaf or hearing impaired individuals. A sign language interpreter must be provided for any meetings or events where more than one person is signing. If you do not have a sign language interpreter, you will need to provide a written description of the meeting or event in the form of a Notice of Meeting or Event. The ADA also requires that businesses provide a Braille transcription of the meeting or event, and that the transcript be posted at the meeting or event.
There are some exceptions to the ADA’s requirements. For example, a website is not required to have a text alternative if the site provides only information about the business, such as hours of operation, location, and telephone number. In addition, a website is not required if it is a government website that does not accept input from the public.
The ADA applies to many different types of websites. For example, websites that sell products, such as an online store, are required to be ADA compliant. This means that the site must be accessible to people with disabilities. Websites that sell services, such as a travel agency, are also required to be ADA compliant.
If your business sells goods or services through an online store, you will need to make sure that your site complies with the ADA. If you sell services, you will need to make certain that you provide sign language interpreters for any meetings or events where you meet with customers or prospective clients. You may also need to provide a Braille transcription of these meetings or events.
You may be wondering how the ADA applies to small businesses. As long as your business has fewer than 15 employees, you are considered a small business. The ADA applies to any company that sells products or services to the general public, including companies that have fewer than 15 employees. If your business has less than 15 employees, you are required to ensure that your website is ADA compliant.
If you are unsure whether your website is compliant with the ADA, you should consult an attorney who specializes in the law. An attorney can help you determine whether your site is compliant, and what steps you need to take to comply with the ADA.
