Emilie de la Motte, a Partner with the law firm of Carmel & Naccasha, spoke to more than 200 local business owners and their employees concerning the importance of updating their websites to provide equal access to web users with disabilities and how to avoid an American with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuit. De la Motte spoke at a recent Good Morning SLO hosted by the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce.
Citing a 42% increase in ADA lawsuits claiming that a company’s website is not accessible to the visual and hearing impaired, de la Motte offered the following tips to the audience:
- Educate yourself on Version 2.0 of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG2). WCAG2 provide internationally accepted standards for website accessibility.
- Discuss with your web developer and designer how to implement the WCAG2 standards. For example, consider adding closed captioning to your video content, create stronger webpage color contrast, provide alternative text, and make sure your web page is compatible with web reader applications and devices.
- Conduct regular audits of your website with your web team to adapt to changes in tech and law.
- Develop and post an Accessibility Statement on your website detailing what you have done to make your site accessible.
- Contact your insurance broker to make certain you have adequate coverage, particularly for ADA claims against your website.
- Act promptly if you receive a demand letter or are served with a lawsuit. Insurance coverage can be denied if you don’t act promptly.
- Talk to an attorney should you need further guidance.
