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The Department of Justice (DOJ) is turning up the heat on web accessibility. They’ve made it crystal clear: if you run a business, your website needs to follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Take Springfield Clinic as an example. This private medical practice was required to make its website, patient portals, and mobile apps meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. It’s a wake-up call for all businesses—WCAG compliance isn’t just nice to have; it’s a must-have.

Why Does the DOJ Care About Accessibility?

The DOJ’s focus comes from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under Title III of the ADA, businesses must make their services available to people with disabilities—this includes websites and apps. In today’s world, many people rely on digital platforms to access healthcare, shopping, and other services. If those platforms aren’t accessible, people with disabilities are left out.

U.S. v. Springfield Clinic, LLC

In the Springfield Clinic case, the DOJ found problems that made it hard for people with visual and manual impairments to use the website and patient portals. For example, images had no alternative text, and parts of the site were hard to use with just a keyboard. By demanding WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, the DOJ showed that these guidelines are key to making digital services fair for all.

As part of their settlement, Springfield Clinic agreed to:

Review all their digital platforms (website, patient portals, and mobile apps).
Fix major issues right away.
Create a long-term plan to stay accessible.
Train staff on best practices for web accessibility.

This case is a clear warning sign. Businesses must act now to avoid legal trouble later.

What This Means for Businesses

Springfield Clinic isn’t alone. The DOJ is watching more industries than ever, and WCAG compliance is now seen as a legal requirement. Ignoring it can lead to:

Legal Trouble

ADA lawsuits related to web accessibility are increasing year after year. In 2024, over 4,000 lawsuits were filed in federal and state courts, with a staggering 41% of these cases identified as copycat litigation. These lawsuits can cost businesses anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the severity of the issues and settlement terms. On top of that, companies may face ongoing costs to monitor and maintain accessibility as part of court agreements. Proactively addressing accessibility issues can help you avoid these legal pitfalls and the stress that comes with them.

Bad PR

When businesses are accused of excluding people with disabilities, it can quickly become a public relations nightmare. A 2020 survey found that 73% of consumers are more likely to support brands that are inclusive and accessible. Negative press about inaccessibility can erode trust, leading customers to take their business elsewhere. In the age of social media, even one complaint can go viral, causing long-term damage to your reputation. Prioritizing accessibility shows that your business values inclusivity, which builds loyalty and strengthens your brand image.

Lost Customers

Accessibility isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s good for business. According to the CDC, 1 in 4 people in the US live with a disability. That’s a massive market segment that businesses risk excluding when their websites aren’t accessible. Furthermore, the spending power of people with disabilities, along with their families and advocates, is estimated at $13 trillion globally. Beyond the direct financial impact, think about the ripple effect: customers with disabilities are likely to recommend accessible businesses to others. Making your website accessible ensures you’re welcoming everyone to your digital storefront.

What Is WCAG Compliance?

WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), these guidelines act as a roadmap for making websites, apps, and other digital platforms accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. WCAG is widely recognized as the global standard for digital accessibility and is the framework many businesses follow to ensure their websites meet legal requirements and provide inclusive experiences.

At its core, WCAG is all about removing barriers. It’s designed to help developers and designers create content that works for people with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological challenges. The goal is to make the web a place where everyone can participate, regardless of their abilities.

The Four Principles of WCAG (POUR)

WCAG is built on four key principles:

Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presented in ways that people can perceive. This includes features like alt text for images and captions for videos.
Operable: Users must be able to interact with all elements of the site, whether they’re using a mouse, keyboard, or assistive technology like a screen reader.
Understandable: Content should be clear and easy to follow. This means avoiding overly complicated text and ensuring navigation is consistent.
Robust: Content should be built to work with assistive technologies now and in the future. This ensures that websites adapt as technology evolves.

Levels of WCAG Compliance

WCAG compliance is divided into three levels:

A: The most basic level of accessibility.
AA: The standard most businesses aim for because it addresses the biggest barriers for users.
AAA: The highest level of accessibility, though it’s not practical or required for all content.

By following these guidelines, businesses can make their websites and apps easier to use for everyone while staying compliant with laws like the ADA. It’s not just about avoiding legal trouble—it’s about creating a more inclusive, user-friendly experience for all.

How to Make Your Website WCAG Compliant

Taking steps toward accessibility can feel overwhelming, but you can break it down:

Understand Web Accessibility Guidelines

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of standards designed to make web content more accessible. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines to understand what needs to be done. They cover aspects like text readability, alternative text for images, and keyboard navigation.

Conduct a Website Audit

Regularly audit your website for accessibility issues. There are tools available online that can help you identify problems, such as missing alt text for images or issues with color contrast. Consulting with a specialist firm like 216digital to conduct a thorough audit can also be a wise investment.

Implement Ongoing Training

Train your staff, especially those involved in website management and content creation, about web accessibility. This helps create a culture of inclusivity and ensures that accessibility remains a priority.

Stay Informed and Up-to-Date

Web accessibility standards and best practices can evolve over time. Stay informed about any changes and make updates to your website as necessary to remain compliant.

Ongoing Monitoring

WCAG Compliance is not a one-time task with 216digital’s Accessibility Radar (a11y.Radar) service providing ongoing monitoring of your website or app to detect any new accessibility issues that may arise over time. This proactive approach helps prevent potential violations before they lead to costly lawsuits.”

Wrapping Up

The DOJ’s focus on WCAG standards is a big deal. The Springfield Clinic case proves that accessibility matters. This isn’t just about avoiding problems. It’s about creating online spaces where everyone can belong.

Don’t wait. Start working on WCAG compliance today. Protect your business, build your reputation, and make your site better for everyone.

Need help? Schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital using the contact form below. We’re ready to guide you through the process.

Have you ever thought about how your website works for people with disabilities? The internet is a fantastic resource, but not everyone experiences it in the same way. For some, barriers like visual, auditory, or motor impairments can turn navigating a website into a frustrating process. That’s where the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) comes in—an essential part of making the internet a place where everyone can connect, learn, and share, no matter their abilities.

Created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), WAI focuses on ensuring that websites, apps, and other online tools are accessible to people with disabilities. Let’s dive into what WAI does, why it matters, and how its guidelines, like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), help shape a better web for all.

The Role of WAI in Web Accessibility

At its core, WAI is all about creating a more inclusive internet. The initiative develops resources, guidelines, and standards to make sure digital content is accessible to everyone, including people who are blind, deaf, or have physical, cognitive, or neurological disabilities. By collaborating with governments, organizations, and companies around the globe, WAI helps shape a digital world where no one is left behind.

Why Accessibility Matters

Think about how much we rely on the internet for work, school, shopping, and staying connected. In fact, 28.7% of adults in the U.S. live with some form of disability, and an inaccessible website can be a significant barrier. If your site isn’t accessible, you’re unintentionally shutting out a large portion of the population.

By making your site accessible, you’re not just widening your audience—you’re also promoting fairness and inclusivity. Plus, accessible websites tend to be more user-friendly for everyone, which benefits all your visitors.

The Foundation of WCAG: Four Key Principles

One of WAI’s most significant contributions is WCAG—a roadmap for designing websites that work for everyone. These guidelines are built on four key principles, often summarized as POUR:

Perceivable

Make sure users can access the information on your site, regardless of how they interact with it. This includes adding text alternatives (alt text) to images for screen readers, providing captions for videos, and ensuring text is compatible with assistive technologies.

Operable

Your website must be easy to navigate and use. This means ensuring that all functions can be controlled with a keyboard or voice commands, and avoiding flashing content that could trigger seizures or other issues.

Understandable

Keep the content clear, consistent, and logical. Use plain language, label forms clearly, and offer helpful instructions. When websites are too complicated, it can frustrate users—especially those with cognitive disabilities.

Robust

Your site should work across various devices and assistive technologies, and it should remain usable as technology evolves. This future-proofing ensures that your accessibility efforts have a lasting impact.

WCAG Levels: Aiming for Level AA Compliance

WCAG has three levels of compliance: A (basic), AA (ideal for most businesses), and AAA (highest). For online businesses, meeting WCAG Level AA compliance is a practical, effective, and often legally required goal. At Level AA, you’ll address key accessibility requirements, like:

Adding alt text for images and videos.
Ensuring text can be resized without losing functionality.
Providing sufficient color contrast for readability.
Keeping navigation consistent and intuitive.

These measures aren’t just about ticking a compliance box—they create a better online experience for everyone, including older adults, people using assistive technology, or even those on mobile devices with slow internet connections.

How WAI Benefits Your Business

For online businesses, embracing the principles of WAI and WCAG isn’t just about doing the right thing—it’s also a smart move. Here’s why:

Widen Your Audience: An accessible website reaches more users, including those with disabilities, older adults, and anyone relying on assistive tools.
Boost Your SEO: Search engines often favor accessible sites, as features like alt text and clear headings make it easier to crawl and index your content.
Avoid Legal Risks: In many regions, WCAG compliance is a legal requirement for public sector websites and a growing concern for private businesses facing accessibility lawsuits.
Improve User Experience: Accessibility best practices, such as logical structure and user-friendly forms, make browsing more enjoyable for all visitors.

Getting Started with WAI’s Guidelines

If you’re a business owner, web developer, or content creator, you might feel overwhelmed about meeting accessibility standards. Fortunately, WAI offers plenty of resources to guide you. Here are some steps to get started:

Familiarize Yourself with WCAG: Review the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Start with Level A compliance and work your way to Level AA.
Perform an Accessibility Audit: Use tools like Google Lighthouse or WAVE to check your website’s accessibility. These tools can identify issues like missing alt text, low color contrast, or navigation problems.
Make Small, Impactful Changes: Begin by addressing the most critical issues. For example, ensure your site allows for keyboard navigation, add captions to videos, and improve text readability.
Test with Real Users: Involve people with disabilities in testing your website. Their feedback is invaluable in spotting challenges and ensuring your site is truly accessible.

WAI’s Global Impact

WAI’s influence extends beyond individual businesses or websites, playing a critical role in setting international standards for web accessibility. Governments, educational institutions, and organizations worldwide often adopt WCAG as a benchmark for their digital content. This widespread adoption underscores how vital accessibility is to creating an inclusive online environment.

By providing clear, actionable guidelines, WAI empowers developers and designers to create websites that serve the needs of a diverse audience—no matter their abilities.

Why Accessibility is Everyone’s Responsibility

WAI’s work reminds us that accessibility isn’t just a technical requirement—it’s about fairness, equality, and opening doors for everyone. When you make your website accessible, you’re contributing to a world where people of all abilities have the same opportunities to participate, learn, work, and thrive online.

A Better Web for All

The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) is more than just a set of rules—it’s a movement to create a web that works for everyone. With its tools and guidelines, WAI helps businesses and developers make digital spaces inclusive and user-friendly. From the foundational principles of WCAG to the importance of meeting Level AA compliance, WAI’s contributions are shaping a more accessible internet.

If you’re building a website or running an online business, following WAI’s guidance is essential. By embracing accessibility, you’re opening the door to more customers, improving the user experience, and contributing to a more welcoming, equitable digital world.

Ready to make your website more accessible? Schedule a call with 216digital today for a briefing on how we can help you meet WAI standards and create a web experience that’s inclusive, compliant, and effective. Together, we can make your website a better place for everyone!

DOJ’s Push for WCAG Compliance: Are You Ready?