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  • Why Use an Outside Firm for Accessibility Remediation

    Why Use an Outside Firm for Accessibility Remediation

    In the digital age, web accessibility is more than just a compliance checkbox—it’s a commitment to inclusivity and a critical aspect of your website’s user experience. However, ensuring your website is accessible can be complex and time-consuming, requiring specialized knowledge and skills. This is where an outside firm for accessibility remediation becomes invaluable. Let’s explore why partnering with an experienced firm like 216digital can be a game-changer for your business.

    Expertise and Knowledge

    Accessibility remediation is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It demands a deep understanding of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other relevant standards and regulations. An outside firm brings a wealth of expertise to the table, ensuring that every aspect of your website meets the required accessibility standards.

    Professionals in accessibility firms stay current with the latest updates and changes in guidelines and regulations. This continuous learning is crucial because web accessibility is an evolving field. For instance, WCAG 2.1 introduced new criteria that were not present in WCAG 2.0. Keeping up with these changes requires a dedicated team that is always on top of industry developments.

    Comprehensive Testing

    Effective accessibility remediation goes beyond automated tools. While these tools are useful for identifying obvious issues, they often miss more nuanced problems that can significantly impact users with disabilities. An outside firm utilizes a combination of automated tools and manual testing to ensure thorough coverage.

    Manual testing is essential for evaluating how real users with disabilities interact with your website. This includes testing with screen readers, keyboard navigation, and other assistive technologies. Experienced accessibility professionals can identify and fix issues that automated tools might overlook, ensuring a truly accessible user experience.

    Making Judgment Calls

    Accessibility is not always black and white. There are situations where judgment calls are necessary to balance design, functionality, and accessibility. Professionals with experience in accessibility remediation can make informed decisions about how to address complex issues.

    For example, consider a data table that is essential for conveying information but difficult to navigate with a screen reader. An expert can determine the best approach to make the table accessible without compromising its functionality or usability. These judgment calls require a deep understanding of both accessibility principles and user experience design.

    Up-to-date with Current Guidelines and Regulations

    Web accessibility guidelines and regulations are constantly evolving. An outside firm specializing in accessibility remediation ensures that your website is not only compliant with current standards but also prepared for future changes.

    For instance, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) mandates that websites and mobile applications of certain businesses must be accessible by 2025. Staying ahead of such regulations can save your business from potential legal issues and ensure a smoother transition to compliance.

    Efficiency and Focus

    Partnering with an outside firm allows your internal team to focus on core business activities. Accessibility remediation can be a time-consuming process, especially for teams that lack specialized knowledge. By outsourcing this task, you can ensure it is handled efficiently and effectively without diverting your team’s attention from other important projects.

    Considering 216digital as a Partner

    When choosing an outside firm for accessibility remediation, it’s crucial to select a partner with a proven track record of success. 216digital stands out as an excellent choice for several reasons:

    • Proven Expertise: With years of experience in web accessibility, 216digital has a deep understanding of the challenges and solutions involved in making websites accessible.
    • Comprehensive Services: We offer a full range of services, from initial audits to ongoing maintenance, ensuring your website remains accessible over time.
    • Client-Centric Approach: Working closely with our clients, we understand their unique needs and provide tailored solutions that meet both accessibility standards and business goals.
    • Up-to-date Knowledge: 216digital stays current with the latest accessibility guidelines and regulations, ensuring your website is compliant now and in the future.

    Wrapping Up

    Web accessibility is essential for creating an inclusive online environment and avoiding potential legal pitfalls. While it might be tempting to handle accessibility remediation in-house, the benefits of partnering with an outside firm like 216digital are clear. Our expertise, comprehensive testing, ability to make informed judgment calls and up-to-date knowledge of current guidelines and regulations can transform your website into an accessible and user-friendly platform.

    Investing in accessibility is not just about compliance; it’s about demonstrating a commitment to all your users and enhancing the overall user experience. By choosing an experienced partner for accessibility remediation, you can ensure your website meets the highest standards of accessibility and remains a valuable asset for all visitors.

    Ready to get started? Contact us today to schedule a complementary ADA Strategy Briefing so that you can confidently take this next step into digital accessibility.

    Greg McNeil

    July 30, 2024
    Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility, Accessibility Remediation, Web Accessibility Remediation, Web Accessibility Solution, Website Accessibility, Website Accessibility Tools
  • How Long Does It Take to Make Your Website Accessible?

    How Long Does It Take to Make Your Website Accessible?

    In today’s digital age, having an accessible website is not just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. Whether you’re running a small business or managing a large enterprise, ensuring your website is accessible to everyone, including those with visual impairments, is crucial. But just how long does it take to make your website accessible, and what steps should you take? Let’s dive into the process and explore the differences between various approaches to web accessibility.

    The Journey to Web Accessibility: A Long Road?

    Making a website fully accessible often seems like a daunting and lengthy process. You might have heard about the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards, which provide a comprehensive framework for web accessibility. These guidelines cover a wide range of accessibility features and can seem overwhelming to tackle all at once.

    What is WCAG 2.1 AA?

    WCAG 2.1 AA is a set of guidelines created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to ensure that websites are accessible to people with disabilities. These standards include recommendations for making content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. To be WCAG 2.1 AA compliant, a website must meet specific criteria in these areas.

    The process of making your site fully conformant can be complex. It involves:

    1. Auditing Your Site: This means reviewing your website to identify all accessibility issues.
    2. Fixing Issues: After identifying problems, developers need to resolve them, which can involve code changes, redesigns, and adjustments to content.
    3. Testing: Ensuring that the fixes are working as intended and that the website remains functional and user-friendly.
    4. Ongoing Maintenance: Accessibility is not a one-time fix; continuous updates and audits are necessary to keep up with new content and technologies.

    Depending on the size and complexity of your website, this comprehensive process could take several months. It’s a detailed approach aimed at achieving full compliance, but it may not be the most efficient route for every business.

    The Focused Approach: Quick Fixes for High-Risk Issues

    Not every website needs to go through a full WCAG 2.1 AA conformance process right away. For many businesses, focusing on specific, high-risk accessibility issues can provide significant benefits with a much shorter timeline.

    High-Risk Accessibility Issues

    Certain accessibility problems are more likely to lead to legal action or complaints. By addressing these critical issues first, you can reduce the risk of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuits and significantly improve the user experience for those with visual impairments. Companies like 216digital offer a focused approach to accessibility, where they tackle these high-risk areas in a matter of days—often within a week.

    Benefits of a Focused Approach

    1. Speed: You can quickly address the most critical issues, reducing your legal risks and improving accessibility in a short timeframe.
    2. Cost-Effective: Targeting specific issues can be less expensive than a full overhaul, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
    3. Immediate Impact: High-impact fixes can make a noticeable difference in user experience right away.

    For many businesses, starting with a focused approach provides a practical solution and a strong foundation for further accessibility improvements over time.

    Consulting Firms: Audit Reports vs. In-House Fixes

    When choosing a firm to help with web accessibility, you’ll often encounter two types of services:

    1. Audit-Only Firms: These companies provide a detailed report of accessibility issues but do not fix them. The responsibility for implementing changes falls on your shoulders.
    2. Full-Service Firms: These firms, like 216digital, not only identify accessibility issues but also handle the fixes in-house.

    Audit-Only Firms

    Audit-only firms give you a comprehensive overview of what’s wrong with your website but leave the fixing to you. This approach has some downsides:

    • Implementation Delays: Without a dedicated team to make changes, it can take time to address the issues yourself or through another developer.
    • Additional Costs: You’ll likely need to hire another service to implement the changes, which can lead to increased costs and extended timelines.
    • Unclear Prioritization: The report might highlight many issues without prioritizing them, making it harder to know where to start.

    Full-Service Firms

    On the other hand, full-service firms provide a more integrated solution:

    • End-to-End Service: They handle both the audit and the fixes, streamlining the process and ensuring that accessibility issues are resolved efficiently.
    • Faster Turnaround: With an in-house team managing everything, changes are made more quickly, often within a week or two.
    • Expertise: These firms have specialized knowledge and experience, which can lead to higher quality and more effective fixes.

    Choosing a full-service firm like 216digital can save you time, reduce stress, and provide peace of mind knowing that your accessibility needs are being handled by experts.

    The Realities of Web Accessibility

    Making your website accessible is not just about compliance; it’s about creating a better experience for all users. Here’s why investing in web accessibility is worthwhile:

    1. Legal Protection: By addressing key accessibility issues, you minimize the risk of legal action related to ADA compliance.
    2. Wider Audience: Accessible websites reach a broader audience, including individuals with disabilities who might otherwise be excluded.
    3. Improved User Experience: Many accessibility features, such as clear navigation and text alternatives, also benefit users without disabilities.

    A Practical Timeline

    To sum up, if you’re looking to address high-risk accessibility issues quickly, focusing on these areas can be done in as little as a week with the right team. For a full WCAG 2.1 AA conformance, the process is more involved and can take several months. Choosing between an audit-only firm and a full-service firm can significantly impact your timeline and overall experience.

    If you’re concerned about web accessibility for your website and want to get started quickly, consider working with a firm like 216digital. Our expertise and focused approach can help you address critical issues fast, giving you a solid start toward a more accessible website. Contact us today to schedule a complementary ADA Strategy Briefing so that you can confidently take this next step into digital accessibility.

    Remember, web accessibility is an ongoing journey, not a one-time project. Investing in accessibility is investing in a better, more inclusive web experience for everyone.

    By understanding the different approaches to web accessibility and the timelines involved, you can make informed decisions that align with your business needs and goals. Whether you opt for a focused fix or a full WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, taking steps toward a more accessible website will benefit both your users and your business.

    Greg McNeil

    July 26, 2024
    Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility, Accessibility Remediation, ADA Compliance, digital accessibility, Web Accessibility Remediation, Website Accessibility
  • Choosing the Right Web Accessibility Solution

    Choosing the Right Web Accessibility Solution

    In today’s digital age, ensuring that your website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, is not just a legal obligation but also a moral imperative. With the implementation of laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the European Accessibility Act (EAA), businesses must prioritize website accessibility to avoid potential legal repercussions and to foster an inclusive online environment. This guide will help you choose the right web accessibility solution for your organization, depending on your needs, goals, and budget. We will also highlight the ADA remediation services offered by 216digital, a leader in the field.

    Understanding Website Accessibility and ADA Conformance

    Website accessibility refers to the inclusive practice of ensuring that websites are usable by people of all abilities and disabilities. This includes making content perceivable, operable, and understandable, and robust for individuals with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. ADA conformance means that a website meets the standards set by the ADA, which often align with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

    Assessing Your Needs and Goals

    Before diving into the web accessibility solutions available, it’s crucial to assess your organization’s specific needs and goals. Here are some key considerations:

    1. Legal Compliance: Determine the legal requirements applicable to your business. For U.S. companies, ADA compliance is mandatory, while European companies must adhere to the EAA. Understanding these requirements will guide your accessibility efforts.
    2. Audience: Consider your target audience and their potential accessibility needs. For example, if your website serves a large population of elderly users, you may need to focus more on features that improve readability and navigation.
    3. Current State of Accessibility: Conduct an accessibility audit to identify existing issues. This will help you understand the scope of work required and prioritize improvements.
    4. Budget: Establish a budget for accessibility improvements. Costs can vary widely depending on the complexity of your website and the extent of remediation needed.
    5. Internal Expertise: Assess whether your team has the necessary skills and knowledge to implement accessibility changes or if you need external support.

    Choosing the Right Web Accessibility Solution

    Once you have a clear understanding of your needs and goals, you can start exploring the available solutions. Here are some tips for choosing the right web accessibility solution for your organization:

    Automated Accessibility Tools

    Automated audits like Lighthouse, WAVE, and Firefox Inspector are a great starting point for identifying common accessibility issues. These tools quickly show potential problems, such as missing alt text, incorrect heading structures, and broken links. They give you a report with these findings, which you can use as a starting point to make your site more accessible. Some popular automated tools include:

    • Google Lighthouse: An open-source tool that provides audits for performance, accessibility, SEO, and more, generating detailed reports and actionable insights to improve website accessibility and user experience.
    • WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool): A web accessibility evaluation tool that highlights accessibility issues directly on the webpage, providing visual feedback and detailed reports to help identify and address barriers for users with disabilities.
    • Firefox Inspector: A built-in tool in Firefox’s developer tools that allows users to inspect, modify, and debug HTML and CSS, including accessibility properties, helping developers ensure compliance with accessibility standards.

    Pros of Automated Accessibility Tools

    1. Speed: Automated tools can scan an entire website in minutes, providing a quick overview of accessibility issues.
    2. Cost-Effective: These tools are generally less expensive than manual audits or professional services.
    3. Convenience: useful for identifying widespread issues to ensure ongoing compliance.

    Cons of Automated Accessibility Tools

    1. Limited Scope: Automated tools cannot catch all accessibility issues, especially those involving user experience and context.
    2. False Positives/Negatives: These tools can sometimes flag issues that aren’t actually problems or miss real issues, leading to incomplete compliance.
    3. Lack of Detailed Guidance: While they provide suggestions, they often lack the detailed guidance needed to fix complex issues.

    Manual Audits and User Testing

    Manual audits and user testing provide a more in-depth analysis of your website’s accessibility. Accessibility experts will go through your site carefully, checking each part to make sure it follows WCAG’s guidelines. This is a detailed process where experts use different browsers and assistive tools, like screen readers or voice recognition software, to find and fix any small problems with accessibility.

    Pros of Manual Audits and User Testing

    1. Thoroughness: Human experts can identify complex issues that automated tools might miss.
    2. Real-World Testing: User testing ensures that your site is usable for people with disabilities.
    3. Detailed Reports: Manual audits provide in-depth reports and specific recommendations for improvement.

    Cons Manual Audits and User Testing

    1. Cost: Manual audits and user testing can be expensive, especially for large websites.
    2. Time-Consuming: These processes take longer than automated scans, delaying the implementation of fixes.
    3. Resource-Intensive: They require skilled professionals to coordinate with users with disabilities.

    Accessibility Overlays and Plugins

    Accessibility overlays and plugins offer quick fixes for improving accessibility. These solutions typically add features like screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and color contrast adjustments by modifying a website’s code with a snippet of JavaScript.

    Pros Accessibility Overlays and Plugins

    1. Quick Implementation: Overlays can be added to your site quickly, offering an immediate boost in accessibility.
    2. User Control: They often allow users to customize their experience, such as adjusting font sizes or contrast levels.
    3. Cost-Effective: Generally cheaper than comprehensive manual audits or professional services.

    Cons Accessibility Overlays and Plugins

    1. Superficial Fixes: Overlays may not address the root causes of accessibility issues, leading to only superficial compliance.
    2. User Frustration: Some users with disabilities find overlays intrusive or ineffective.
    3. Potential Legal Risks: Reliance on overlays alone may not meet legal accessibility standards, potentially exposing your site to legal action.

    Check out our guide on web accessibility overlays for more details on how they might make your website a target for a frivolous ADA lawsuit.

    Consulting and Professional Services

    For organizations seeking a thorough and sustainable approach to accessibility, consulting, and professional services are ideal. These provide customized solutions based on your specific needs, including expert guidance, comprehensive audits, remediation, and ongoing support.

    Pros Consulting and Professional Services

    1. Expert Guidance: Professionals bring a wealth of experience and expertise to ensure comprehensive accessibility.
    2. Custom Solutions: Services are tailored to your website’s unique needs and requirements.
    3. Ongoing Support: Many consulting firms offer ongoing support and training to maintain accessibility.

    Cons Consulting and Professional Services

    1. High Cost: Professional services are typically the most expensive option.
    2. Dependency: Relying on external consultants can create dependency, potentially slowing down internal development processes.
    3. Implementation Time: Custom solutions take time to develop and implement, potentially delaying compliance.

    216digital’s ADA Remediation Services

    When it comes to professional web accessibility solutions, 216digital stands out as a trusted provider of ADA remediation services. Here’s why 216digital is a top choice for ensuring your website meets ADA conformance:

    Risk Mitigation

    Through our extensive experience and collaboration with key legal players, 216digital has determined the metrics and red flags that cause companies to get hit with ADA non-compliance lawsuits. We know exactly how to take the target off of your back so that you can forget about the ambulance chasers and focus on growing your business.

    Our goal through this service is to get the best possible settlement through the improvement of your automated scan results. Identifying and removing web accessibility errors detected with scanning tools and those addressed in the lawsuit. Providing an Accessibility Statement, Skip Link, and Focus Outlines as window dressing to further prevent copycats. Ensure you don’t fall victim to copycat legislation by getting your metrics below internally established risk tolerance thresholds.

    Real-World Accessibility

    While automated accessibility scans are functional and convenient, they only curate about 30% of issues, leaving your website exposed to a lawsuit and your customers with a poor user experience.

    WCAG 2.1 Professional Audits provide insight that accessibility software can’t, which is essential to ensuring that disabled users can access your website to their fullest extent. Only through professional auditing, page-by-page click-throughs, and testing assistive technology such as screen readers and keyboard-only commands can your website reach full accessibility compliance.

    Our Web Accessibility Professionals will evaluate and examine the accessibility level of your website’s UI, source code, usability, and design. Then, they will implement solutions focused on three key areas:

    • Screen reader and assistive technology compatibility
    • Keyboard-only navigation, operation, and orientation
    • UI and design

    Ongoing Support and Monitoring

    Accessibility monitoring is an ongoing and proactive process that regularly checks online content for accessibility violations. Think of it as an early warning system, allowing developers and content creators to identify and fix potential barriers quickly.

    216digital’s a11y. Radar is an automated tool that regularly checks your website for ADA compliance. It tracks your ongoing efforts, whether they’re done by your in-house team or an outside agency. You’ll get access to detailed dashboards and updates on any content, code, or user experience issues that might affect your website’s accessibility. Plus, our easy-to-use interface lets your team see current problems and manage any changes that need to be made.

    Here are some of a11y. Radar’s key features:

    • Dynamic Dashboard Display
    • Compliance Scans
    • Detailed Issue Reports
    • Issue Tracking Over Time
    • Manual Testing Reports
    • Email Alerts
    • Current Web Compliance Status

    Conclusion

    Choosing the right web accessibility solution is crucial for ensuring that your website is inclusive, usable, and conforms to legal standards. By assessing your needs, goals, and budget, you can determine the most appropriate approach, whether it’s using automated tools, conducting manual audits, implementing accessibility overlays, or partnering with professional services like 216digital.

    216digital‘s ADA remediation services offer a comprehensive, customized, and user-centered solution to web accessibility. By leveraging their expertise, you can achieve ADA conformance and provide a better online experience for all users, ultimately fostering an inclusive digital environment and protecting your organization from potential legal challenges.

    Investing in web accessibility is not just about compliance; it’s about creating a web that works for everyone. Take the first step today and choose the right accessibility solution for your organization.

    Greg McNeil

    July 23, 2024
    Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility Remediation, ADA Web Accessibility, digital accessibility, Web Accessibility, Web Accessibility Remediation, Web Accessibility Solution
  • What Is An Accessibility Statement?

    What Is An Accessibility Statement?

    You are making your website’s content accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. But how do you let them know?

    An accessibility statement is a way to show your commitment to web accessibility. It provides your users with information about your accessibility plans, letting them know what to expect and what steps they can take if they encounter problems with your online content. But what is an accessibility statement — and does your website need one?

    Below, we explore the key components of an effective web accessibility statement, why they are crucial, and how to create one for your website.

    What Are Accessibility Statements?

    An accessibility statement is a document or webpage on your site that shows your dedication to making the web inclusive for everyone. It’s like a formal promise to ensure that all users, no matter their abilities, can easily use your online content.

    In general, it states that your website follows specific standards for accessibility, like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). It provides detailed information about your website’s accessibility goals and the steps your company is taking to achieve them.  

    Think of it as a way to bridge your efforts to make your website accessible and your users’ understanding of those efforts. It’s like a virtual handshake, showing your users that you care about their experience on your site and that you’re working hard to improve it.

    Why are Accessibility Statements Important?

    Accessibility statements offer a range of benefits, not only for users but also for website owners. 

    Here are some of the benefits:

    Your Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

    An accessibility statement is a tangible way to show your users that you care about their needs — providing them equal access to products, services, and company information. 

    By proactively communicating your company’s commitment to accessibility will foster trust and loyalty among your potential and existing customers. This can create new opportunities for those who may otherwise not be able to enjoy certain products or services due to a disability.

    Encouraging Feedback

    Accessibility statements provide users with contact information they can use if they encounter problems. This feedback can be invaluable in addressing specific issues and making your website more user-friendly.

    Legal and Ethical Compliance

    In many countries, there are legal requirements to make digital content accessible. Publishing an accessibility statement is a step toward compliance. It can be used as evidence of your commitment should the need arise.

    Reduce Legal Risk

    To the potential plaintiff firm, an accessibility statement serves as a flag to say, “We’re on this. Move along”. There is so much ripe low-hanging fruit that most will skip to the next website on the list.

    Transparency

    Transparency is key to building trust with your audience. Your accessibility statement should reflect your efforts, showcasing your organization’s values and ethics.

    Writing an Accessibility Statement

    Writing a solid web accessibility statement comes down to the chosen language, structure, and content.

    Language

    Accessibility statements are for users of your content — not lawyers or web developers. It is important to make your accessibility statement easy to understand for everyone, regardless of their background or expertise. This means avoiding technical jargon and using clear, simple language while providing useful information.

    If you need to refer to a specialized term or phrase, clearly define its functionality and known limitations so readers understand them. For example, words like “WCAG Success Criterion 1.2.2 was not met” may not be familiar to everyone. Instead, it’s essential to explain them in a way that is easy to comprehend, such as “videos do not have captions.”

    Tone

    Language should also be clear and avoid assumptions about a person’s abilities. Therefore, statements should be written from a third-person perspective and in a professional tone. 

    Use words that are matter-of-fact and avoid language that could be seen as condescending or patronizing. This will help ensure that all users feel respected and valued and that your commitment to accessibility is communicated in a positive and inclusive way.

    Format

    Accessibility statements should follow this format:

    • Use bold fonts or highlighted phrases to emphasize important parts of the statement. This will make it easier for readers to understand the message.
    • Usually, italics are used to highlight technical terms or words related to the WCAG standards mentioned in the statement.
    • Instead of long paragraphs, use lists with bullets or numbers to organize and present the main points.
    • Add alt text to meaningful images if they are relevant.

    Content

    The content in an accessibility statement needs to be checked and kept current to make sure it stays accurate and reflects any changes or enhancements made to a website as time goes on.

    The W3C-WAI offers a set of details to put in an Accessibility Statement. Normally, these statements include the following:

    • Clearly state your commitment to making your website accessible to all users. 
    • Make it clear what accessibility standard is applied, such as WCAG 2.2
    • Provide contact information, like a phone number or email address, for users to reach out if they face any issues.

    Depending on your content, you may also want to include other relevant information: 

    • Summarize your efforts toward web accessibility.
    • Environments in which the content has been tested to work, such as specific web browsers or operating systems
    • Identify any known barriers or accessibility limitations. Explain the steps you plan to take to improve accessibility, such as ongoing audits, training, and user testing.
    • Include a disclaimer that addresses your 3rd party plug-ins or social media sites.
    • List the date the accessibility statement was last updated.

    You can include as much information as you want, but remember that people will read your Accessibility Statement to find out how accessible your content is. Avoid adding irrelevant content, such as promoting products or services.

    Do I Need an Accessibility Statement to be Compliant?

    In most cases, the answer is yes. Conformance with accessibility standards, like WCAG, is essential for ensuring an inclusive online experience. While WCAG doesn’t require websites to publish an Accessibility Statement, some non-discrimination laws do. 

    For example, the European Union’s Web Accessibility Directive requires public websites in the EU to publish Accessibility Statements that follow an established format.

    However, suppose one of your goals is compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In that case, it’s still best to publish an Accessibility Statement even if it isn’t legally required.

    An accessibility statement serves as proof of your compliance and your dedication to meeting these standards. A well-written statement can help you show that you value users and your commitment to web accessibility.

    What If Our Website Isn’t Accessible Yet? Should We Still Publish a Statement?

    Having an accessibility statement on your website is essential, even if your website is not yet fully accessible. It shows your users that you acknowledge the issue and are committed to making your website more accessible. 

    If your site has not been fully audited and remediated, then to start, you’re going to want to express your intent…. “we are in the process of…. our goal is to…” Your statement should convey your plans to improve and address accessibility issues. Being transparent about the areas where your site falls short and your dedication to improvement can help build trust with your users and demonstrate your commitment to accessibility.

    Where to Publish an Accessibility Statement?

    Your accessibility statement should be easy to find on your website. Consider placing it in the footer, help menu, and other prominent areas where users can readily find it. Additionally, you should use consistent link names for your accessibility statements to help users recognize them. For example, if the link in your footer is labeled “Accessibility Statement,” so should the link in your help menu.

    Make a Statement with 216digital

     Accessibility is not just a checkbox; it’s an ongoing journey that requires transparency, communication, and dedication to ensuring a more inclusive online space.

    At 216digital, our team is committed to helping you take the steps towards web accessibility on your terms by developing a strategy to integrate WCAG 2.2 compliance into your development roadmap. We offer comprehensive services that not only audit your website for accessibility but also provide solutions to meet ADA compliance requirements.
    To learn what more you should do to achieve and maintain accessibility for your terms, schedule a Complimentary ADA Strategy Briefing with the experts at 216digital.

    Greg McNeil

    October 26, 2023
    Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility, Accessibility Statment, ADA Compliance, ADA Website Compliance, Website Accessibility
  • AI for ADA Web Remediation: Is It the Right Choice?

    AI for ADA Web Remediation: Is It the Right Choice?

    The web, a vast and sprawling network of information, has become a fundamental part of our lives. From education to work, communication to commerce, it shapes how we interact and learn. However, it’s not always as accessible as it should be for everyone. Web accessibility is a pivotal matter that guarantees everyone, including people with disabilities, can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the web. But what role does powerful artificial intelligence (AI), like Accessibe, UserWay, and ChatGPT, play in this realm? And, is it suitable for web remediation?

    What is AI?

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a field of computer science that aims to create systems capable of performing tasks that usually require human intelligence. This includes learning, understanding language, recognizing patterns, solving problems, and making decisions.

    AI uses various techniques, most commonly machine learning (ML), where machines are programmed to learn and improve from experience. ChatGPT is, of course, a famous example. 

    ChatGPT

    ChatGPT is a state-of-the-art AI language model developed by OpenAI. It leverages machine learning to understand and generate human-like text based on the inputs it receives. ChatGPT and similar machine learning models have vast potential in their applications. Its applications include coding, composing music, writing emails or essays, and playing complex games like Chess.

    While some worry that the mass adoption of AI might take away jobs or make it easier for people to cheat or plagiarize, it has made others question if AI could help with ADA web remediation. While AI has shown tremendous potential in various fields, there are reasons why it may not be the best solution for ADA web remediation. 

    AI and Machine Learning in Web Remediation

    AI and machine learning shows great promise in various fields, including web accessibility. Common AI web accessibility solutions include tools like Accessibe, UserWay, and AudioEye. However, even the most sophisticated AI, like ChatGPT, has limitations. Let’s explore how AI and ML can be applied to web accessibility.

    AI Testing for ADA Web Compliance

    AI systems can be trained to recognize certain patterns, enabling them to evaluate websites against Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) criteria. However, this method is not foolproof. 

    Many WCAG requirements, such as ensuring content makes sense when read out of context or assessing whether a site is easy to navigate, require a nuanced understanding of human interaction that AI currently lacks. In fact, AI can only identify 30% of WCAG 2.1 A and AA success criteria. 

    David O’Neill, a well-known figure in accessibility and technology, says, “[AI] can identify accessibility issues, but it cannot replace a human being in terms of applying the necessary context or making the relevant decisions.”

    AI Remediating Accessibility Issues

    When it comes to fixing accessibility issues, AI may fall short. AI can automate some remediation tasks, like adjusting elements on a webpage, such as text size, color contrast, or page navigation. However, this automatic correction can also introduce new accessibility issues. AI algorithms can misinterpret complex web page elements, leading to flawed solutions that don’t fully address accessibility needs or might cause more barriers.

    AI Creating Alternative Text Descriptions

    AI has made significant strides in image recognition, leading to the idea that it could be used to generate alternative text descriptions for images. However, though AI can identify the objects in a photo, it still struggles to provide meaningful context. For example, an AI might recognize and describe an image as “a person standing in a room,” but a human could provide more context, like “John, laughing while decorating the Christmas tree.”

    Predicting and Prioritizing Accessibility Issues

    AI and ML algorithms can predict common accessibility issues based on patterns from past data. However, predicting is one thing; prioritizing and rectifying these issues is the real challenge. AI lacks contextual understanding, which is often vital in prioritizing and addressing barriers. For instance, AI might deprioritize fixing small font sizes based on frequency. Still, for an elderly user or someone with visual impairments, this is a critical issue.

    So, at a glance, AI offers some promising solutions. But should we entirely trust AI for web remediation?

    Limitations of AI for ADA Remediation

    While AI and ML have made strides in web accessibility, it is clear they can’t replace the expertise and experience of a web accessibility agency.

    AI can certainly help identify some common accessibility issues. But to thoroughly evaluate the accessibility of a website and remediate potential problems, you need a detailed understanding of how people with disabilities interact with digital content. This level of insight requires human empathy, contextual understanding, and years of experience, something AI currently lacks.

    AI cannot comprehend the intent of a web page or the nuance behind the design. It can’t understand the user journey in the same way that a professional with experience in web accessibility can.

    Manual Auditing: The Gold Standard

    While automating the process might be tempting, manual auditing remains the gold standard for ADA web remediation. 

    A manual audit offers depth and understanding that AI currently cannot match. With a comprehensive understanding of user experience from various perspectives, human auditors can identify barriers to accessibility that AI might miss. This is because professional auditors are experienced in recognizing how individuals with disabilities navigate and interact with web content.

    By leveraging the expertise of professionals, you can ensure that every aspect of your website meets WCAG standards. They can understand the unique context and nuances of your website, something which even the most advanced AI, like ChatGPT, cannot fully emulate.

    Partner with 216digital for ADA Web Remediation

    When it comes to ADA web remediation, consulting professional web accessibility agencies like 216digital provides a distinct advantage. Our team of experts understands the intricacies of web accessibility and how to make your website more accessible and compliant with ADA and WCAG guidelines.

    Unlike AI, 216digital offers customized strategies based on a comprehensive understanding of your website and its users. We don’t just look for issues; we also devise the best ways to remediate them in light of your site’s purpose and design.

    As David O’Neill points out, “There is a role for automation in accessibility… [But] there is also a clear need for manual testing.” At 216digital, we combine the best of both worlds, using technology to aid in identifying issues while relying on our human expertise for effective remediation.

    For comprehensive ADA web remediation, trust the experts at 216digital. Schedule a complimentary ADA Strategy Briefing today.

    Greg McNeil

    June 15, 2023
    Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility, ADA Compliance, ADA non-compliance, ADA Website Compliance, Website Accessibility, Website Accessibility Tools
  • What is Manual Testing and Remediation?

    What is Manual Testing and Remediation?

    Are you a website owner striving to make your site more accessible? If so, you’re already ahead of the curve, recognizing the critical role of web accessibility in our digital age. So far, you might have relied on automated tools for testing web accessibility. While these are useful, they have limitations. That’s where manual testing and remediation come into play.

    But what is manual testing? If you’ve heard of the term but aren’t quite sure what it means, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. This article will give you an in-depth understanding of manual audits and how to use them to make your site more inclusive. Let’s dive in!

    The Current Limits of Automation

    Automated tools have made testing websites for accessibility issues a breeze, detecting common problems quickly and efficiently. However, they can’t replicate the intuition, judgment, and understanding of real human users. While automated tools can detect clear-cut technical issues, they miss out on nuances only a trained professional can spot.

    In fact, 70% of accessibility issues require a human review to correctly interpret standards and navigate gray areas outside automation’s grasp. The limited scope of even the most advanced automation will leave many compliance issues unresolved and your company at risk for a frivolous ADA lawsuit. That’s because web accessibility isn’t just about ticking boxes or passing tests; it’s about creating an enjoyable user experience for everyone. And this is where manual testing excels.

    What is Manual Testing and Remediation?

    Manual testing and remediation is a hands-on approach to web accessibility. Accessibility experts will navigate through your site, examining each element to ensure it meets the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

    It’s a meticulous process that requires experts to use a variety of browsers and assistive technologies, such as screen readers or voice recognition software, to help diagnose subtle hindrances to accessibility. This thorough testing method often helps to find accessibility issues caused by code that technically conforms to WCAG. However, these issues will cause unexpected problems for some or all users with disabilities. 

    Once the manual audit is complete, the experts will deliver a report providing recommendations for remediation. A developer will then use that report to analyze and fix the site’s source code.

    Why Choose Manual Testing?

    It’s the human touch! Computers are great for many things, but they can’t replicate the intuition, judgment, and understanding of real human users. While automated tools can detect clear-cut technical issues, they miss out on nuances only a trained professional can spot. Some of these include:

    Functionality

    Imagine trying to navigate your site without a mouse. Sounds challenging, right? Yet, this is a reality for many users. Some people may use only a keyboard or switch devices to navigate the web due to physical impairments or personal preference. 

    Manual audits involve navigating your website using only a keyboard to ensure that all interactive content and functionalities are reachable and usable. Basic keyboard controls include the Tab and arrow keys to navigate through links, buttons, and form fields and Enter to select. Your site should allow users to skip to main content areas or navigation menus with keyboard shortcuts to prevent ‘Tab fatigue.’

    While automated audits can detect some critical features for functionality, they are not able to test for the following:

    • Contains focus outlines, highlighting focused elements such as form fields or button
    • Navigating header menus and links 
    • Navigating through one and or multiple pages 
    • Keyboard traps (Users are unable to move away from a selected element)

    Screen Reader Compatibility

    Screen readers are assistive tools that convert on-screen text into spoken words or braille output. Low-vision users most commonly utilize this tool, and it can be challenging to replicate through automated testing. 

    During manual testing, however, professionals can use screen readers to navigate the website to ensure that all visual information is read aloud accurately, allowing low-vision users to interact effectively with all elements. This includes images, links, form fields, buttons, and more. 

    For example, if you have an image on your site, that’s essential for understanding the content. Automated tools might recognize the existence of the image and its associated text description. Still, they won’t be able to judge if the alt text accurately represents the image’s content. 

    Content Review

    The content of your website is its bread and butter. Without your content functioning as intended, you could leave your users scratching their heads. 

    While it’s not difficult for an automated scanner to detect if pages have missing content, such as alt text or page header, it can’t notice if they are used in the correct context or if it makes sense for the user. Utilizing a manual audit will ensure that content is readable and makes sense not just for the user but for search engines, which can directly lead to more business opportunities for a company.

    A content review includes ensuring text is clear and readable, images have alternative text descriptions (also known as ‘alt text’), and information is presented logically and in understandable order.

    When a Manual Audit is Needed

    A manual audit must be conducted on a website instead of just an automated scan. Automated audits can’t account for the nuances of human consciousness, and it’s essential that all users have the same experience regardless of their disability. For people with disabilities, navigating online is a personalized and delicate process, as should the auditing process.

    Facing an ADA Web Accessibility Lawsuit

    Under more severe circumstances, if you’re facing a lawsuit, you must fix any issues cited in the complaint. The biggest problem with these complaints is that they’re vague, and this is usually done on purpose for two reasons:

    • Easier to justify the lawsuit
    • Allows enough wiggle room to allow plaintiffs to file a copycat lawsuit or sue again for a different issue, claiming that the problems were never fixed.

    So getting a manual audit and taking your website through some digital remediation is significantly less than the cost of a lawsuit because not only do you have to pay for the suit, but you’ll also be paying legal fees and your chances of actually getting out of a lawsuit are slim to none as 95% of them are settled outside court. 

    What Components Make A Good Manual Audit?

    All audits are not created equal, but a good audit report will be very detailed and thorough. It starts with the scope of the audit in conjunction with the detail and clarity in which it is conveyed to you and your web developer. 

    Your audit serves as a blueprint that needs to be followed step-by-step to fix the problems on your website and make it accessible. So having a report that is too broad can cause you to miss important details or, if they’re too vague, you could still be missing vital information. 

    In every report that we conduct at 216digital, we include the steps needed to recreate non-compliant issues, including:

    1. A detailed list of issues: The report will specify what WCAG criteria were violated, their location on your website, screenshots and code snippets for clarity, and how severe they are.
    2. Recommendations for remediation: The report will offer practical solutions to remediate issues, the urgency to fix them, and the link to exact WCAG guidelines
    3. Compliance level: It should indicate how compliant your website is with established accessibility standards, like the WCAG.
    4. User-focused insights: It should include feedback from users with disabilities, offering a real-world perspective on how accessible your website is.
    5. Ongoing Web Accessibility: Suggest tools or practices for maintaining accessibility in the future.

    We use an Excel Spreadsheet with multiple tabs detailing these issues comprehensively to ensure that you or a developer can clearly understand the problems and methodically go through the audit to implement the required changes.

    What You Should Look for in an Accessibility Partner

    When choosing an accessibility partner, you should first look for expertise and experience. Website accessibility is both a confusing and highly litigious process that requires experts to guide clients through and resolve these problems. 

    A good measurement of whether you have a qualified accessibility partner is by asking:

    • How many audits have they done?
    • What are the professional credentials?
    • How many years have they been in business? 
    • What is their process to find non-compliant issues?
    • Do they offer remediation services or guidance for identified issues?
    • Do they provide aftercare training or tools to maintain accessibility in the future?

    Every website is different, so having professionals that are thorough and will check every non-compliant finding is critical. 

    Bring Your Site to a New Level of Accessibility

    Enhancing your website’s accessibility is an ongoing process. While automation is an excellent starting point, manual testing, and remediation are indispensable for comprehensive web accessibility. By going beyond the capabilities of automated tools, you’ll create a site that meets legal requirements and a platform that truly resonates with your entire audience, opening doors to even greater user engagement and broader markets. So, make the move and bring your site to a new level of accessibility today with 216digital!

    At 216digital, we can help develop a strategy to integrate WCAG 2.1 compliance into your development roadmap on your terms. To learn more about how the ADA experts at 216digital can help build an ADA WCAG 2.1 compliance strategy to achieve ongoing, real-world accessibility on your terms, schedule an ADA Strategy Briefing.

    Greg McNeil

    June 15, 2023
    Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility, ADA Compliance, ADA non-compliance, ADA Website Compliance, manual audit, Manual Testing, Website Accessibility
  • How Much Does Web Remediation Cost

    How Much Does Web Remediation Cost

    For many businesses, one of the biggest barriers to web accessibility is the fear of how much it might cost. However, most people are a bit cloudy about what it does cost to make a website accessible. Or even the steps involved.

    In this post, we suggest a framework to help you determine how much it will cost to make your website accessible with 216digital, and discuss the role of compliance in web accessibility.

    Why Does Web Accessibility Matter?

    Before we get into the basics of web remediation, it’s worth clarifying why it matters.

    There are some clear ethical reasons to make sure everyone can access your website, regardless of their abilities. In the United States alone, up to 1 in 4 adults have a disability. If your site is not accessible, you may be turning away a large portion of the population.

    There’s also an element of compliance and risk mitigation.

    Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits private businesses and other places of public accommodation from discrimination based on disability. Moreover, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has continuously reiterated that the ADA does apply to websites.

    If your website is not accessible, you may be exposing your business to the threat of legal action. In fact, more than 4,000 lawsuits were filed in the United States in 2022.

    How Can I Make Sure My Website is ADA Compliant?

    The ADA requires that businesses ensure equal access to their goods and services, including websites. One of the best ways to mitigate risk is to follow the latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). WCAG is the set of guidelines created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. By complying with these guidelines, you can ensure your website is accessible to all users.

    For more information on WCAG, check out our post What are the Levels of WCAG Compliance.

    Determining the Cost of Compliance for Your Website

    Imagine asking a mechanic for a quote without specifying what’s wrong with the vehicle. You probably wouldn’t get the answers you’re looking for.

    Web accessibility usually works the same way. However, the cost of web accessibility can vary depending on the size and complexity of your website, the level of compliance you need to achieve, and the resources you have available. Factors that influence cost include:

    • The number of pages on your site
    • The complexity of the site’s features, including forms, interactive elements, or plugins
    • The number and complexity of accessibility barriers
    • The approach to manual remediation
    • The complexity of the website’s environment or platform
    • If there is a pending lawsuit, the number of listed barriers in the complaint

    Why Do You Want Your Website to Be Accessible?

    If remediation has no one-size-fits-all price, how do you determine its cost? Start by figuring out why you want your website or online application to be accessible / ADA-compliant.

    Do you want to prevent an ADA web accessibility lawsuit?

    Have you received an ADA web accessibility lawsuit?

    Do you want to be fully inclusive?

    Are you looking for ongoing ADA monitoring?

    While you might think the focus for each of these goals would all be WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, it’s not. Instead, over a five-year period, our team of ADA experts analyzed and dissected the process of how 48 law firms select and target websites for ADA lawsuits. The results were surprising as it has little to do with real-world accessibility. But, sadly, even achieving WCAG 2.1 compliance can’t guarantee you won’t get hit with an ADA lawsuit because of the way law firms target websites for ADA lawsuits.

    That’s why at 216digital, we have developed different services based on your ADA business objectives to put you in a position of strength.

    Do You Want to Prevent an ADA Web Accessibility Lawsuit?

    Our ADA Quick Audit is a fast and simple way to measure your website’s visibility to ADA non-compliance lawsuits. Through our years of experience in the trenches analyzing and studying these cases, we were able to develop internal monitoring processes and tools to determine their targeting process in which many of the prolific ADA non-compliance lawsuit firms identify their targets. As a result, we realized that the vast majority of cases are based on the results of automated scanning tools, so we developed ADA Quick Audit as a way for business owners to get ahead of the game and dramatically reduce their risk.

    Have You Received an ADA Web Accessibility Lawsuit?

    Our Phase I ADA Remediation project plans are custom developed to chart the steps you can take to quickly put your company in a position of strength to settle your ADA lawsuit and add the safeguards to ensure you’ll never have to waste another minute of your time on a frivolous ADA lawsuit. Each Phase I ADA remediation project includes an ADA Phase I remediation plan, timeline, staff training, and ongoing monitoring services.

    Do You Want to be Fully Inclusive?

    For individuals with disabilities or impairments, navigating online is a personalized and delicate process, as should the auditing process. However, more than half the work contributes nothing to ADA risk mitigation. So, why let real-world compliance hijack your development backlog with all the competing website enhancements that could add value to your business?

    Real-World Accessibility on Your Terms means developing a strategy to integrate WCAG 2.1 compliance into your development roadmap as part of the development process. Our Web Accessibility Professionals will evaluate and examine the accessibility level of your website’s UI, source code, usability, and design. Then they will implement solutions focused on three key areas:

    • Screen reader and assistive technology compatibility
    • Keyboard-only navigation, operation, and orientation
    • UI and design

    Are You Looking for an ADA Monitoring Service

    You’ve devoted countless hours and resources to making your website accessible. However, achieving WCAG 2.1 compliance can’t guarantee you won’t get hit with an ADA lawsuit.

    We have found the majority of our clients had the same question – how can we make sure this doesn’t happen again, and who do we reach out to if we need further WCAG 2.1 AA expertise?

    Whether you’ve already been served with an ADA non-compliance lawsuit or want to prevent being targeted, Accessibility Radar is a hands-off way to ensure you stay out of the crosshairs.

    a11y.Radar ADA monitoring service reports on your ongoing accessibility efforts, whether conducted by your internal digital teams or an outside web agency. Access enhanced dashboards and receive updates to content, code, and user experience that could pose potential blocks to users or threaten your accessibility standards.

    As a business owner, you have enough to worry about. So leave it 216digital to ensure you remain compliant.

    Why Partner with 216digital?

    Most web accessibility remediation agencies go straight for WCAG 2.1 AA compliance. Often, delivering automated audits identify accessibility barriers with little to no help in fixing them or maintaining your accessibility.

    216digital intentionally focuses on identifying and remediating just the barriers that got you sued in the first place, putting you in a position of strength to settle your case sooner and prevent copycat lawsuits. To learn more about how the ADA experts at 216digital can help build an ADA WCAG 2.1 compliance strategy to achieve ongoing, real-world accessibility on your terms,  schedule a complimentary 15-minute ADA Strategy Briefing with our experts.

    Greg McNeil

    April 10, 2023
    Testing & Remediation
    Accessibility, ADA Compliance, ADA Website Compliance, Website Accessibility
  • What is a Web Accessibility Audit and Why It Matters

    What is a Web Accessibility Audit and Why It Matters

    Have you ever thought about how easy it is for you to navigate the internet and access information? For some people, it isn’t as simple. Web accessibility is all about making the internet more inclusive so everyone, including those with disabilities, can use it without any barriers. One way to ensure web accessibility is through a web accessibility audit. But what is it, and why does it matter? Let’s dive in and explore!

    What is a Web Accessibility Audit?

    The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of intentionally shared standards. Those standards define how to make web content more accessible for all users — including people with disabilities.

    A web accessibility audit is a series of tests using WCAG’s success criteria, which are written as pass-or-fail statements. These audits identify potential barriers on your website that need improvement, ensuring compliance with the WCAG and enhancing the overall user experience.

    To make your website accessible for all users, you should regularly audit your online content using the latest version of WCAG (WCAG 2.1 as of August 2022, with WCAG 2.2 expected for release in April 2023).

    Why Are Web Accessibility Audits Important?

    The real question is: why commit to removing barriers from your website?

    It’s not just good business to make your website accessible to all users. In the United States alone, up to 1 in 4 adults have a disability. If your site is not accessible, you may be turning away a large portion of the population.

    There are also legal risks to having inaccessible content on your site. Many countries have laws requiring websites to be accessible, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Failing to comply could expose your business to the threat of legal action, including lawsuits and fines. For example, more than 4,000 ADA lawsuits were filed in the United States in 2022.

    Many websites have accessibility issues that can make it difficult or impossible for people with disabilities to use them. That’s why web accessibility audits are so important. They provide a clear set of rules that you can use to evaluate your content.

    What Is the Goal of a WCAG Audit?

    For a successful audit, you’ll need to start with a clear goal. WCAG is organized into three levels of conformance:

    WCAG Level A

    WCAG Level A is the minimum level of conformance. Level A contains essential success criteria for removing serious accessibility barriers that affect a wide range of users. However, Level A issues do not impact the design or structure of the website. Failure to fulfill will result in an inaccessible website and will be impossible or exceedingly difficult for users with disabilities to use.

    WCAG Level AA

    WCAG Level AA conformance is a reasonable and achievable goal. It removes additional barriers and establishes a level of accessibility that works for most assistive technologies, such as screen readers. For this reason, the Department of Justice has referenced WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards in a number of settlements and court filings.

    WCAG Level AAA

    The most strict level of conformance, Level AAA contains additional success criteria to establish the highest possible level of accessibility. Unfortunately, it is also the most challenging level to achieve. While this level of compliance would be ideal, it is optional. W3 states they do not recommend or require Level AAA compliance for an entire website since it is impossible to achieve Level AAA for some content.

    Key Considerations When Choosing a Web Accessibility Audit Tool

    While dozens of resources are available for automated WCAG audits, they vary in features and capabilities. Some factors to consider when choosing an audit tool:

    • Scope: Every page on your website must conform with WCAG, not just your homepage.
    • Timeframe: To maintain compliance, you must test your website whenever content changes.
    • Remediation Capabilities: Most audit tools will identify WCAG conformance issues but won’t fix them.

    At 216digital, we believe that the best way to achieve and maintain an accessible website is a combination of automated tools and human testing.

    What Does an Accessibility Audit Process Involve?

    An automated web accessibility audit and a manual audit are two different methods of evaluating a website’s compliance with accessibility standards. Each method has its strengths and weaknesses, and they are often used together to provide a comprehensive accessibility evaluation.

    Automated Tools

    Automated audits, such as Lighthouse, WAVE, and Firefox Inspector, are used to scan your website for accessibility barriers. These tools provide quick insights into potential problems, such as missing alt text, improper heading structures, and broken links. The results from these tools come in the form of a report, which can be used as a starting point to improve accessibility.

    While automated testing is a great starting point, it cannot identify all accessibility issues. Manual testing is necessary to ensure your website is genuinely accessible. For example, an automated test might not detect if the alternative text for an image is appropriate, while a manual test by an experienced evaluator can.

    Manual Audit

    Manual audits are more thorough and time-consuming, but they provide a more accurate assessment of website accessibility. A manual review involves a human evaluator assessing your website for accessibility issues that automated tools may not identify. It consists of testing a website using various assistive technologies, such as keyboard-only navigation, screen reader testing, and evaluating color contrast.

    Can I Complete a Web Accessibility Audit Myself?

    It may be tempting to do your own accessibility audit—especially when you hear about automated tools. However, the difference is all in the experience. Web accessibility experts can find issues that automation and untrained staff can’t, fix the errors, and identify false positives.

    Manual and functional testing is an indispensable component of a complete, professional accessibility audit. If your audit skips these steps, you will leave your business exposed to the threat of legal action.

    When Should I Start Testing for ADA Web Compliance?

    It’s best to start testing for WCAG compliance as early as possible, ideally during the design and development stages of your website. This way, you can address any issues before they become more challenging and costly to fix. However, it’s never too late to begin the process. Even if your website is already live, you can still conduct an audit and make improvements.

    Regardless of where you are on your journey, we’re here to help. At 216digital, we can help develop a strategy to integrate WCAG 2.1 compliance into your development roadmap on your terms. To learn more about how the ADA experts at 216digital can help build an ADA WCAG 2.1 compliance strategy to achieve ongoing, real-world accessibility on your terms, schedule an ADA Strategy Briefing.

    Greg McNeil

    April 10, 2023
    Testing & Remediation
  • Debunking Common Web Accessibility Myths

    Debunking Common Web Accessibility Myths

    “Web accessibility is too expensive.“

    “There’s no real business value to making my website accessible.“

    These are just a few of the concerns we hear when talking to organizations about web accessibility for the first time. And while it’s easy enough to poke holes in each one, it’s worth mentioning these myths are one of the many reasons digital accessibility lags so far behind.

    To better understand why online businesses are slow to build accessible experiences, let’s debunk some of these myths and explain why web accessibility is essential for your business.

    Common Myths in Website Accessibility

    Common misconceptions about web accessibility have impacted the way organizations approach any accessibility initiative — particularly when it comes to time, cost, and compliance. Here’s what we learned.

    Myth: There Are No Benefits to an Accessible Website

    Why is digital accessibility so important? We can all agree that delivering an equal browsing experience to every user is the right thing to do. However, there are other benefits, like improved search engine optimization (SEO).

    Many of the same principles for good SEO overlap with web accessibility best practices. Companies spend tens of thousands of dollars every year to improve their searchability. Search engines rank websites based on the content and user experience.By working on one, we enhance the other. After all, a better user experience for your visitors also offers a better understanding to search crawlers.

    Myth: Web Accessibility Only Affects Those Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision

    Most believe visual impairments are the most prominent disability an inaccessible website can impact. However, web accessibility can benefit several impairments, including hearing, cognitive, and motor. In fact, mobility and cognitive impairments affect a higher percentage of the population than visual. 

    That means digital accessibility is essential for people who cannot move their limbs and require a switch device. Similarly, people with dyslexia need the option to change fonts or line spacing. 

    The bottom line is an accessible website benefits users of all abilities. And your website’s design doesn’t have to suffer in the process.

    Myth: Web Accessibility Means Redesigning My Entire Website

    Most online business owners believe that providing an accessible online experience means starting from scratch — redesigning and developing the entire site. That, without exception, sounds both time-consuming and expensive. While we agree that it’s ideal to design an accessible website from the first line of code, it’s not feasible for the millions of existing sites. 

    However, it is often possible to make a website accessible by making minor adjustments, such as adding alternative text to images, adding focus outlines on interactive elements, and ensuring that videos have closed captions. These changes can significantly improve the website’s accessibility without requiring a complete redesign.

    Myth: Using Automated Tools On My Site is All I Need to Make It Accessible

    Automation is a powerful tool that is getting better all the time. But automation alone cannot identify and fix every accessibility error. In fact, automated scans can only detect 30% of barriers for users with disabilities. The limited scope of even the most advanced automation will leave many compliance issues unresolved and your company at risk.

    That’s not to say automated tools are not a great starting point. However, it’s essential to think of them as a tool in a more extensive toolkit, including regular monitoring, manual testing, and reporting.

    At 216digital, we believe in a hybrid approach. That combines the speed of automation with the precision of manual auditing to achieve and maintain an accessible website. 

    For more information about automated tools and ADA web compliance, check out the article, Are Web Accessibility Testing Tools Enough to Ensure Compliance.

    Myth: Screen overlays can make my website compliant and protect me from an ADA lawsuit 

    Screen overlay products, also known as accessibility widgets or plugins, can help make a website more accessible to users with disabilities. Still, they do not guarantee that a website will fully comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other accessibility guidelines.

    These products typically provide a range of accessibility features, such as increasing text size, changing the background color, and providing alternative text descriptions for images. However, they do not address all of the accessibility issues that a website may have. For example, they may not address issues related to the structure and organization of content, or the use of appropriate headings and labels.

    Additionally, these products do not address the issue of accessibility for users who are using assistive technologies such as screen readers. These technologies rely on the underlying code of the website, and a screen overlay does not address these barriers.

    While these products can be a helpful tool for improving accessibility, they should not be considered a substitute for a comprehensive accessibility audit and remediation process to mitigate ADA lawsuit risk. Approximately 600 companies with an accessibility widget installed on their websites were hit with ADA accessibility lawsuits in 2022. 

    Myth: Web Accessibility Litigation is Frivolous and Invalid

    Shockingly, most online companies believe accessibility lawsuits have no merit. Yet huge brand-named companies, such as Domino’s, have also been targeted with frivolous ADA lawsuits. 

    But huge name brands aren’t the only ones. Thousands of small and mid-size businesses face legal action. If you think your business is small enough to fly under the radar and avoid litigation, you’re wrong. Many mom-and-pop restaurants and small stores have recently fought and lost website accessibility lawsuits.

    Failure to provide an accessible website can result in legal action and potentially significant financial penalties. Therefore, it’s crucial to take web accessibility seriously and ensure your website is accessible to everyone.

    Fact: Web Accessibility is Smart Business

    You’re not alone if you’ve fallen victim to believing some of these common myths and misconceptions. In ethical terms, individuals of all abilities deserve the right to barrier-free web use. And as we’ve seen, there are strong legal incentives for ensuring that your website is as accessible as possible. But you can take action.

    216digital has made it easier to achieve website accessibility compliance without breaking your budget, taking all of your time, or completely redesigning your website. We can help develop a strategy to integrate WCAG 2.1 compliance into your development roadmap on your terms. 

    To learn more about how the ADA experts at 216digital can help build an ADA WCAG 2.1 compliance strategy to achieve ongoing, real-world accessibility on your terms, schedule an ADA Strategy Briefing.

    Greg McNeil

    March 14, 2023
    Legal Compliance, Testing & Remediation, WCAG Compliance
    ADA Compliance, ADA Website Compliance, Website Accessibility
  • Web Accessibility & the Disabled Access Tax Credit: Who Qualifies, and Key Stipulations

    Web Accessibility & the Disabled Access Tax Credit: Who Qualifies, and Key Stipulations

     “Tax season” and “good news” don’t naturally go together. However, there is good news for small businesses that have already invested in web accessibility: the Disabled Access Credit. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers a tax credit through form 8826 to help recoup some of the cost of making your website more accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you haven’t already made your website more accessible, these tax incentives might help put ADA compliance in your web development plans this year.

    What is the Disabled Access Tax Credit?

    The Disabled Access Tax Credit is a tax incentive providing small businesses with gross receipts of one million dollars and less or those that employ 30 or fewer full-time employees, that have made accessibility improvements to their website. This credit can help offset the costs of those modifications and provide financial relief to small businesses working to make their spaces accessible to everyone.

    Unlike tax deductions that reduce taxable income or the tax owed, a tax credit gets subtracted from the tax owed. For example, the Disabled Access tax credit covers 50% of the eligible expenditures made during the previous tax year, with a maximum limit of $10,250.

    Does the Disabled Access Tax Credit cover Web Accessibility?

    Yes, the Disabled Access Tax Credit covers website accessibility as web accessibility is becoming increasingly important. The Department of Justice in 2018 stated that websites are considered a place of public accommodations, Therefore, the ADA covers websites and mandates accessibility in the digital space, allowing the Disabled Access tax credit to be applied to businesses that invest in owning and operating accessible sites.

    Many accessibility practices or implementation types qualify as expenditures. Still, there are several accessibility elements when calculating your annual accessibility fee. These include web accessibility solutions or tools that optimize websites. Here are some key variables to consider in your annual accessibility fee:

    • Website Modifications
    • Page Format and Hierarchy
    • Live Chat Services
    • File and Media Fixes
    • Consulting Service Fees

    Eligibility for the Disabled Access Tax Credit

    The Disabled Access Tax Credit is available to small businesses with a maximum of $1 million in annual revenue or fewer than 30 full-time employees. The development costs associated with the necessary changes to the website to make it more accessible with the standards outlined in the ADA such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) for websites to be eligible. This includes adding alternative text to images, providing video captions, and ensuring the website can be navigated using only a keyboard.

    What are the Stipulations?

    The good news is that the Disabled Access Tax Credit can be applied for and earned annually. However, you can’t carry expenditures over to claim a credit exceeding the prior year’s expenditure limit. But, if the credit amount exceeds the taxes you owe, you can roll the unused credit into the following year.

    The Disabled Access Tax Credit covers the following accessibility and ADA-related expenditures:

    • Web accessibility & optimization
    • Language interpreters
    • Adaptive equipment
    • Printed materials
    • Elimination of physical obstacles
    • General consulting

    Is It a One-Time Deal?

    No, in fact you can get this credit any year ADA accessibility work is done on your website.  This tax break is such a powerful incentive that many small businesses have adopted a policy of annual ADA accessibility website audit/ reviews. 

    How to Apply for the Disabled Access Tax Credit

    There is no need to apply, simply complete the IRS Form 8826 and submit it with your yearly tax return. In addition, it must include information about the accessibility improvements made, the expenses incurred, and the credit calculation. You can find Form 8826 on the IRS government website, where you can further research the rules and stipulations regarding the Disabled Access Tax Credit. You can also read more on the IRS Tax Credits and Deductions page on the Americans with Disabilities Act website.

    Don’t forget to consult with a tax professional before you send in your comprehensive return files. If your tax professional is unaware of the Disabled Access Tax Credit, tell them the form number (8826). They can quickly fill out the form and state the amount spent on accessibility efforts, speeding up the process and ensuring it’s correct!

    Web Accessibility & the Disabled Access Tax Credit

    The 8826 form can be a valuable tool for small businesses that engage ADA accessibility developers to work on their websites. The 8826 Disabled Access Tax credit has made it possible for many small businesses to make ADA remediation an ongoing process to ensure the website remains accessible to all users. By making sure your website is compliant and accessible, you can help ensure that your business is reaching the widest possible audience and staying in compliance with the law.

    Suppose you are a small business owner looking to make your website more accessible and take advantage of the Disabled Access Tax Credit. In that case, we encourage you to reach out and schedule a 15-minute ADA Briefing with our web accessibility experts at 216digital.

    Greg McNeil

    February 14, 2023
    Testing & Remediation, The Benefits of Web Accessibility
    Accessibility, ADA Compliance, ADA Website Compliance, Website Accessibility
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