by Alan Aldous
In today’s world, having a website is essential to running a business. It’s a critical tool that allows businesses to connect with their customers, showcase their products and services, and generate leads. However, many business owners must realize that their websites can exclude many potential customers. People with disabilities make up a substantial portion of the population, and as such, businesses are responsible for ensuring their website is accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability. Failure to do so could have serious consequences.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Canadians with Disabilities Act (CDA) require businesses to make their websites accessible to people with disabilities. In addition, these laws mandate that all websites must be designed, developed, and maintained to make them accessible to individuals with disabilities, including those who are blind, deaf, or have mobility impairments.
Businesses must comply with the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), ADA and CDA starting immediately. This is not just a moral and ethical issue; it’s also a legal one. The ADA and CDA can impose heavy fines and penalties on businesses that fail to comply with their guidelines. In the case of the ADA, companies could face fines ranging from $55,000 to $75,000 for the first violation and up to $150,000 for subsequent offences. The CDA also imposes heavy penalties on businesses that fail to comply with its guidelines. The maximum fine for non-compliance in Canada is $250,000.
Aside from the financial consequences, businesses that fail to make their website accessible to people with disabilities also face damage to their reputation. In today’s world, people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of accessibility. As a result, a business that fails to make its website accessible to people with disabilities comes across as discriminatory and unprofessional. This can lead to negative reviews, loss of customers, and, ultimately, a decline in revenue.
Another essential factor is the deadline associated with ADA and CDA compliance. The deadline for ADA compliance was January 1, 2021. This means that all businesses in the United States must have a website that complies with the ADA guidelines. However, the CDA deadline is fast approaching. As of January 1, 2022, all Canadian businesses must have a website compliant with the CDA guidelines. Failure to comply with these deadlines could result in heavy fines and penalties.
The benefits of ADA and CDA compliance are numerous:
There are many reasons a business would be inclined to make its website accessible apart from just being the right thing to do.
The ROI of Inclusivity is immense, with the disabled population being responsible for more than $1.2 trillion in spending power, not to mention the fact that they are the most brand-loyal population in the world.
With less than 3% of websites accessible, you can set yourself and your clients apart from the pack with the access widget.
Plus, there are tax benefits to making your website accessible.
*Optimizing website content.
*Making images and videos accessible.
*Using the proper coding.
To ensure compliance with the ADA and CDA, businesses must work with a digital marketing agency specializing in ADA and CDA compliance. Alan Aldous is one such agency that provides these services. They have a team of experts who are well-versed in the guidelines and regulations of the ADA and CDA. In addition, they offer various services, including website audits, website design and development, and ongoing website maintenance.
One of the services that Alan Aldous provides is website audits. A website audit is essential to ensure ADA and CDA compliance. It involves a thorough review of the website to identify any accessibility issues. The audit will identify website areas inaccessible to people with disabilities, such as missing alt text on images, non-descriptive links, and non-compliant colour contrast. Once the audit is complete, the team at Alan Aldous will provide a detailed report that outlines the issues and recommends steps to address them.
Another service that Alan Aldous provides is website design and development. Once the audit is complete, the team will work on designing and developing a website accessible to people with disabilities. This includes ensuring the website is easy to navigate, has descriptive links, and uses proper colour contrast. They will also make the website compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies.
Finally, Alan Aldous provides ongoing website maintenance.
Here are some examples of sites that are ADA and CDA-compliant:
If you have a business site and want to make it ADA and CDA-compliant, there are a few things to consider:
To ensure compliance with the ADA and CDA, businesses must work with a digital marketing agency specializing in ADA and CDA compliance. Alan Aldous is one such agency that provides these services. They have a team of experts who are well-versed in the guidelines and regulations of the ADA and CDA. In addition, they offer various services, including website audits, website design and development, and ongoing website maintenance.
One of the services that Alan Aldous provides is website audits. A website audit is essential to ensure ADA and CDA compliance. It involves a thorough review of the website to identify any accessibility issues. The audit will identify website areas inaccessible to people with disabilities, such as missing alt text on images, non-descriptive links, and non-compliant colour contrast. Once the audit is complete, the team at Alan Aldous will provide a detailed report that outlines the issues and recommends steps to address them.
Another service that Alan Aldous provides is website design and development. Once the audit is complete, the team will work on designing and developing a website accessible to people with disabilities. This includes ensuring the website is easy to navigate, has descriptive links, and uses proper colour contrast. They will also make the website compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies.
Finally, Alan Aldous provides ongoing website maintenance.
In today’s digital world, a business’s website is often the first point of contact with potential customers. Therefore, the website must be well-maintained and user-friendly for everyone, including those with disabilities. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it’s also required by law in the United States and Canada.
Let Alan Aldous take care of your website maintenance once we ensure your website complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Canadians with Disabilities Act (CDA).
Alan Aldous is a leading website maintenance service provider that meets the needs of businesses of all sizes. With years of experience in the industry, they have the expertise to ensure that your website is not only accessible to people with disabilities but also user-friendly and easy to navigate. In addition, their team of professionals stays up-to-date with the latest standards and guidelines set forth by the ADA and CDA, ensuring that your website remains compliant.
By choosing Alan Aldous to perform your website maintenance, you can rest assured that your website will be accessible to all users, regardless of their disabilities, including people with visual, hearing, mobility, and cognitive impairments. Alan Aldous ensures that your website is compatible with assistive technologies, such as screen readers, which people with visual impairments use to access web content. They also provide that your website’s colour scheme and font sizes are easily readable by everyone.
Moreover, Alan Aldous goes beyond just compliance. They also focus on optimizing your website’s user experience, which is crucial for attracting and retaining customers. Ensuring that your website is easy to navigate and use can help improve your website’s performance, leading to increased traffic, higher engagement, and, ultimately, more conversions.
Choosing Alan Aldous for your website maintenance needs once we ensure your website complies with the ADA and CDA is an intelligent business decision. Not only will you be complying with the law, but you’ll also be providing an inclusive and user-friendly experience for all your customers. With their expertise and commitment to excellence, Alan Aldous is the right choice for businesses that want to take their website to the next level.
Are you interested in a free website compliance audit? Alan Aldous can help.
Call us at +1 (844)-4-WEED-PR or fill out our contact form to book a 15-minute call with someone at Alan Aldous.