Website Accessibility Archives /Tag

Court Ruling Confirms ADA Title III Covers Websites

As the boundaries between physical and digital business continue to blur, courts are stepping in to clarify what inclusion really means online. One recent ruling, Frost v. Lion Brand Yarn Company, brings that conversation into focus. In February 2025, a Minnesota federal judge ruled that websites qualify as places of public accommodation under ADA Title III. This decision supports what many in the digital and legal communities have long believed: accessibility online deserves consistent attention. While it doesn’t resolve every legal question, it strengthens the case for making digital inclusion part of a responsible business approach.

Frost v. Lion Brand Yarn Company Case

In Frost v. Lion Brand Yarn Company, Clarence and Tammy Frost—both legally blind—alleged that the company’s website was inaccessible to screen reader users. They argued this violated ADA Title III, which prohibits discrimination based on disability in places of public accommodation.

Lion Brand Yarn asked the court to dismiss the case, claiming that its website wasn’t a physical place and therefore didn’t fall under the scope of the ADA.

Court Decision and ADA Title III Interpretation

On February 6, 2025, U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez denied the motion to dismiss. Her decision stated that a website can, in fact, be considered a place of public accommodation under ADA Title III. She emphasized the law’s broad intent and noted that excluding digital spaces would limit access in today’s online world.

Legal Reasoning Behind ADA Title III Decision

Judge Menendez’s ruling follows a growing trend in how courts interpret the ADA. Even though the law was written before websites existed, many judges now recognize that its goals—ensuring equal access—apply in digital spaces, too.

The court explained that ignoring websites under ADA Title III would go against the law’s purpose. If businesses offer goods and services online, people with disabilities must have equal access to those experiences.

Broader Implications of ADA Title III in Digital Accessibility

This case contributes to the growing conversation about whether ADA Title III covers digital platforms.Some courts have said yes, others no—but momentum is building toward broader interpretation. More judges, and the Department of Justice, are saying that websites count.

By viewing digital platforms as essential for communication and commerce, this ruling helps make the case that online inclusion is part of federal disability rights.

The Legal Shift Toward Website Accessibility Under ADA Title III

The Minnesota decision supports what many businesses and advocates have been saying: websites need to be accessible. While there’s still legal gray area, the trend is clear—courts are treating digital inaccessibility more seriously.

Congress didn’t limit ADA Title III to physical places, and courts are using that flexibility to apply it to today’s technology. With websites acting as digital storefronts, accessibility is increasingly expected as a baseline.

Agencies like the Department of Justice also support this view. As websites become central to how businesses operate, they must be designed with accessibility in mind.

Actionable Steps for Compliance with ADA Title III

If your business operates online, now is the time to prioritize accessibility. Here are some practical, proven steps to move in the right direction:

Conduct Accessibility Audits

Use a mix of automated tools and manual checks to find and fix barriers that prevent access.

Implement WCAG Guidelines

Follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA to ensure your content is usable for people with disabilities.

Train Development Teams

Make sure developers and designers understand accessibility best practices from the start.

Engage Users with Disabilities

Include people with disabilities in your testing process—they offer insights that no automated tool can.

Maintain Ongoing Compliance

Use tools like a11y.Radar to monitor your site regularly and stay on top of new issues. Accessibility isn’t a one-time fix—it’s ongoing.

Erkan v. David A. Hidalgo, MD, P.C. provides one example of proactive compliance. There, a judge acknowledged that steps taken to address accessibility concerns helped mitigate legal risk. It’s a good reminder that prevention is always better than response.

Implications of ADA Title III for Businesses

This ruling matters most for businesses that sell or provide services online. Failing to address accessibility could lead to legal challenges, negative press, and missed opportunities to connect with customers.

On the flip side, investing in accessibility shows you value all your users. It can improve user experience, increase brand trust, and even open up new markets.

The Time to Act is Now

The Minnesota ruling strengthens the growing understanding that websites are part of the ADA Title III conversation. While not every legal question is settled, businesses have more reason than ever to take accessibility seriously.

If your website serves the public, this case is a signal to act. Not because you’re forced to—but because it’s the right thing to do.

To learn more about how to proactively address ADA conformance, schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital today. Our team of accessibility experts is ready to guide your business through every step of the process, helping you stay ahead of evolving legal standards while building a more inclusive web for everyone.

Greg McNeil

May 23, 2025

Legal Compliance

Accessibility, ADA Compliance, ADA Lawsuits, ADA Title III, Title III, Website Accessibility
Build Accessible Iframes That Work for Everyone
Frames have a messy reputation in web accessibility. Classic <frameset> and <frame> elements broke layouts, confused screen readers, and were finally deprecated in HTML5. Their modern successor—the humble <iframe>—is still very much alive, powering everything from video embeds to checkout widgets. Yet accessible iframes can introduce their own barriers when titles are missing, keyboard focus gets trapped, or content can’t resize.

If you care about delivering inclusive, standards‑compliant code, you don’t have to ditch iframes altogether—you just need to implement them thoughtfully. This guide walks you through the evolution of frames, the accessibility pitfalls of iframes, and the best practices that help every user interact with embedded content smoothly.

Why Accessibility Still Matters for Embedded Content

Accessible design is good design. Clear labeling, keyboard‑friendly navigation, and responsive layouts benefit everyone—especially shoppers using screen readers, people who enlarge fonts, or users browsing on small devices. Taking a little extra time to make your accessible iframes also reduces legal risk and improves SEO by keeping your markup clean and semantic. In short: a well‑built iframe keeps users engaged and protects your brand.

A Quick History of Frames (and Why They Were Retired)

In the late 1990s, developers used <frameset> and <frame> to split a browser window into scrollable panes. Cool at the time—frustrating in practice. Search engines struggled to index framed sites, URLs didn’t reflect the visible page, and assistive technologies couldn’t provide meaningful navigation cues. By the time HTML5 rolled around, frames were officially removed from the specification.

Where Iframes Fit Today

The <iframe> element solved many of the old headaches by embedding external documents inside the current page without breaking browser history or URLs. Developers rely on iframes for:
- Video and audio players
- Social media timelines
- Interactive maps
- Payment widgets
- Analytics dashboards
While the element itself is valid in HTML5, browser and assistive‑tech support varies depending on how you configure it. Screen readers, for example, announce the title of an iframe, then treat its contents as part of the main document—so a poorly labeled or keyboard‑unfriendly iframe becomes an instant roadblock.

Best Practices for Accessible Iframes

Give Every Iframe a Descriptive Title

Screen readers announce the title attribute before loading iframe content. A short, meaningful label tells users what to expect and helps them decide whether to enter the frame.
```
<iframe
  src="product-demo.html"
  title= "Product Demonstration Video">
</iframe>
```
This small addition satisfies WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 4.1.2, which requires that every interactive element have a programmatically determinable name and role.

Keep Keyboard Navigation Intuitive

Users should be able to tab into an iframe, move through its interactive elements, and tab out without getting trapped. Test with only your keyboard:
1. Press Tab until focus enters the iframe.
2. Navigate its internal controls with Tab, Shift + Tab, and arrow keys.
3. Confirm you can exit the iframe and continue through the rest of the page.
Avoid blanket tabindex= "-1" values unless you intentionally want to remove an element from the tab order. If the embedded content comes from a third party, advocate for keyboard support or consider a different provider.

Maintain a Logical Heading Structure

Many screen‑reader users jump by headings. If your main page begins with <h1> then <h2>, the iframe shouldn’t suddenly start with another <h1>—that’s like slipping a spare title page into a novel. Match the heading level to the surrounding hierarchy and keep it consistent:
```

<h2>Customer Reviews</h2>
<iframe
  src= "reviews.html"
  title= "Latest Customer Reviews">
</iframe>

<h3 id="reviews-heading">Latest Customer Reviews</h3>
```
Let the Browser Handle Scrolling

Setting scrolling="no" or hiding overflow might make your layout tidier, but it hurts users who zoom text or rely on larger fonts. Leave scrolling to the browser unless you have a specific, accessible iframes alternative.

Embrace Responsive Iframes

Hard‑coded widths and heights break on small screens and large zoom levels. Use relative units or CSS that scales with its container:
```
<iframe
  src="store-locator.html"
  title= "Store Locator Map"
  style="width: 100%; height: 400px; border: 0;">
</iframe>
```
If you need a flexible height for dynamic content, explore the resize event or IntersectionObserver to adjust height programmatically—just be sure any script changes don’t steal keyboard focus.

Hide Decorative or Redundant Iframes

Sometimes you embed content that adds visual flair but no real information—say, a decorative animation. In that case, keep it out of the accessibility tree with aria-hidden= "true":
```
<iframe
  src="confetti-animation.html"
  title= "Decorative animation"
  aria-hidden= "true">
</iframe>
```
Hidden frames remain in the DOM for sighted users but won’t distract assistive‑tech users with irrelevant announcements.

When to Skip Accessible Iframes Altogether

Modern CSS and JavaScript let you load external content without the iframe overhead. Consider:
- Server‑side includes to pull fragments directly into your HTML.
- fetch() + DOM injection for dynamic widgets (with proper sanitization).
- Progressive Web App patterns for seamless, app‑like experiences.
These approaches often improve SEO, simplify styling, and remove the focus‑management headaches that come with nested browsing contexts.

Testing Your Work

Automated scanners like Lighthouse and WAVE spot missing titles, keyboard traps, and contrast issues quickly. But true confidence comes from hands‑on tests:
1. Screen reader run‑through — Use NVDA on Windows or VoiceOver on macOS. Listen for the iframe title, navigate inside, then move back out.
2. Keyboard‑only tour — Unplug your mouse. Can you tab to every control, activate it, and proceed?
3. Zoom and reflow — Increase text size to 200 percent or zoom the browser. Does the iframe stay readable and scrollable?
If something feels awkward or blocks progress, iterate until the experience is as smooth as the rest of your site.

Wrapping Up

Accessible iframes aren’t about flashy code—they’re about giving every visitor a clear path to your content:
- Describe each iframe with a short, helpful title.
- Ensure keyboard users can enter, navigate, and exit effortlessly.
- Keep heading levels logical and scrolling natural.
- Use responsive sizing and hide purely decorative frames.
- Test with real assistive technology and people whenever possible.
Ready to audit your site’s iframes—or any other accessibility concern? 216digital can help. Schedule an ADA‑compliance briefing with our team, and let’s make sure every part of your web experience works for everyone who lands on it.

Because inclusive code isn’t a luxury—it’s the standard today’s web deserves.
Greg McNeil

May 19, 2025

How-to Guides

Accessibility, How-to, iframe, videos and audio content, Website Accessibility
Mobile Form Accessibility: Don’t Leave Users Behind
Think about how often you reach for your phone during the day—checking messages, ordering lunch, paying bills, or dashing through a quick form. Now picture each tap, swipe, and pinch becoming a chore because the form wasn’t built with you in mind.Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happens when mobile form accessibility is overlooked for users who rely on screen readers. A few missteps can turn routine tasks into roadblocks. Fixing those gaps keeps everyone’s day moving smoothly—and yes, it makes your product look a whole lot better, too.

As developers, we’re in a sweet spot to clear those hurdles. Instead of ticking boxes on an accessibility checklist, let’s swap ideas and code snippets that make forms genuinely easy to use. Think of this guide as one dev handing a helpful note to another—no lecture, just practical tips that work in the real world.

The Real Challenge of Mobile Accessibility

Roughly 90 percent of screen-reader users browse the web primarily on phones. Yet mobile form accessibility still slips past many reviews. Small oversights—poorly labeled fields, keyboards that bury inputs—can shut people out of shopping carts or log-in screens. Sure, standards like WCAG 2.2 and the European Accessibility Act (EAA) are important, but the endgame is simpler: make everyday online chores painless for everyone.

Common Barriers with Mobile Form Accessibility

So, what trips us up when we build (or tune-up) a mobile form? Here are the heavy hitters that screen-reader users run into—and how to dodge them.

Invisible Text Fields

Fields can look fine on the surface yet be missing their behind-the-scenes links. When labels and inputs aren’t wired together in code, a screen reader can’t announce them—and the user can’t fill them out.

Quick fix:
```
<label for="email">Email Address</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email">
```
Skip placeholder-only labels or fancy <div> stand-ins. Semantic HTML or precise ARIA labels keep everything on the radar.

Keyboard Blocking Form Fields

We’ve all watched the on-screen keyboard sail up and hide half the page. For screen-reader users, that’s a full stop.

A simple JavaScript nudge:
```
window.addEventListener('resize', () => {
  document.activeElement.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth' });
});
```
Let the layout flex so active inputs stay visible, and avoid fixed-position elements that trap content under the keyboard.

Unexpected Focus Shifts

Nothing’s more disorienting than the cursor jumping to a random field—or disappearing altogether—mid-form. Auto-focus tricks or live-updating content can make matters worse.

Rules of thumb:
- Only auto-focus when it truly helps.
- Deep dynamic changes to a minimum while someone is typing.
- Always leave users sure of their spot in the form.
Practical Steps to Improve Mobile Form Accessibility

Now that we’ve walked through the most common pitfalls, let’s talk solutions. Fixing mobile form accessibility doesn’t always mean starting from scratch—small, thoughtful adjustments can make a big difference. The goal here isn’t perfection on paper; it’s creating an experience that works reliably for real people on real devices. Below are key practices that help bring your forms up to speed.

Proper Labeling Is Crucial

Each form field should have a clear, programmatic label. Screen readers depend on these labels to describe inputs accurately. Relying solely on visual styling or placeholder text often leads to confusion or missed information. Whenever possible, use semantic HTML elements like <label> to ensure clarity and consistency.

Design with Keyboard Visibility in Mind

If the keyboard hides your input field, you’re forcing users to guess where they are. This isn’t just frustrating—it can stop someone from completing the form entirely. Design responsively to account for different screen sizes and input methods. Test with your device’s keyboard visible and active. Elements should remain fully accessible without awkward scrolling or zooming.

Maintain a Logical Navigation Order

Users often navigate mobile forms using swipe gestures or the Tab key with external keyboards. If your form jumps from field to field out of order—or skips elements entirely—you’ve just introduced an unnecessary obstacle. Use logical DOM ordering and avoid layout tricks that confuse the natural tab order.

Use Semantic HTML First, ARIA Thoughtfully

Native HTML elements offer built-in accessibility that ARIA can’t always replicate. For example, a standard <button> is more robust and predictable than a <div> with role= "button". Reach for ARIA only when native elements fall short, and always test thoroughly to ensure you’re enhancing, not complicating, the experience.

Real-Device Testing Is Essential

It’s tempting to rely on automated audits or browser tools alone, but they can’t catch everything. Use screen readers like VoiceOver (iOS) or TalkBack (Android) on physical devices to experience your form the way your users do. Listen closely—do labels get announced properly? Does focus land where it should? Manual testing reveals the gaps no automated tool can catch.

Don’t Forget About Error Messaging

Accessible forms don’t just help users fill in the blanks—they help users recover from mistakes. Validation errors should be announced clearly and immediately after the user interacts with a field. Use ARIA live regions or focus management to draw attention to problems, and provide guidance that’s easy to understand and act on.

Support Multiple Interaction Modes

Not everyone uses a touchscreen the same way. Some rely on voice control, others on external keyboards or assistive switch devices. Design and test with multiple interaction styles in mind. What works great with a finger tap might break down when using voice commands or swiping with a screen reader.

Taken together, these practices do more than check boxes—they create forms that feel intuitive, responsive, and respectful to all users. And as accessibility standards continue to evolve, these foundational steps help future-proof your code while building trust with your audience.

Building Mobile Form Accessibility Into Your Workflow

As developers, we have a real opportunity to do something meaningful. We can move past the minimum and start building digital experiences that work for everyone, not just the majority. It doesn’t require magic—just intention, testing, and a willingness to see the interface through someone else’s eyes.

If you’re serious about creating mobile forms that aren’t just technically compliant but actually usable for every user, it’s time to dig deeper. Start testing, keep learning, and if you want an experienced partner to help guide the process, schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital. We’re here to support your journey toward smarter, kinder, and more inclusive design—one tap at a time.
Greg McNeil

May 16, 2025

How-to Guides

Accessibility, accessible forms, forms, How-to, mobile accessibility, Web Accessibility, Website Accessibility
Don’t Be Fooled by False Positives in Accessibility
Imagine you’re scanning through an accessibility report when it flags a purely decorative image for missing alt text. You pause and double-check the code—aria-hidden= "true" is clearly set—yet the tool insists it’s an issue. In moments like these, you’re dealing with false positives.

When left unchecked, false positives can waste hours of development time, drain your budget, and leave real accessibility problems hidden beneath noise. For developers who regularly rely on automated accessibility testing, learning to recognize and reduce these inaccuracies is as essential as fixing actual accessibility barriers.

What a False Positive Really Is

Simply put, false positives occur when a testing tool incorrectly marks compliant content as inaccessible, even though it aligns perfectly with standards like WCAG. These mistaken alerts often create confusion and lead teams to fix things that aren’t broken—sometimes at the expense of overlooking real issues.

So, why do they happen? Usually, false positives stem from three common causes:
- Limited context: Automated tools understand code but not intent. Elements involving dynamic JavaScript or custom user settings can confuse them, triggering inaccurate alerts. For example, a modal loaded via JavaScript might be marked as inaccessible until it’s fully rendered, even if it meets all WCAG requirements when interactive.
- Overly cautious rules: Some tools are intentionally strict, flagging anything remotely questionable to avoid missing genuine issues. While well-intentioned, this can lead to excessive alerts. Developers end up treating these tools like overprotective smoke alarms—loud, constant, and sometimes hard to trust.
- Varied coding practices: Custom components or unconventional markup patterns, common in modern front-end workflows, often mislead algorithms expecting textbook HTML. Accessibility implemented through ARIA roles or JavaScript event handlers may trip up tools that expect static HTML structures.
Most developers have encountered these scenarios in practice: decorative icons labeled as “critical issues,” contrast alerts ignoring user-selected dark modes, or dynamic form elements incorrectly flagged for missing labels. Each instance represents the broader problem—tools missing the bigger picture.

The Hidden Costs of False Positives

When false positives become part of your day-to-day workflow, the cost isn’t just inconvenience—it’s real impact on time, trust, and outcomes.

Time and Budget Drain

Chasing down false positives can quickly become a costly distraction. Imagine your team spends hours rewriting alt text for images that never needed it. Those same resources could have resolved genuine issues or shipped new features, improving your product instead of spinning its wheels. For larger teams or enterprise projects, these hours quickly compound into days—adding up to measurable delays in delivery and inflated budgets.

This resource drain can be particularly painful during audits or compliance deadlines when teams are working under pressure. Every misfire takes attention away from what truly matters: building inclusive digital experiences for real users.

Erosion of Trust in Tools

Repeated inaccurate alerts erode confidence in accessibility tools. Developers may grow skeptical, dismissing genuine issues as “probably another false positive.” This skepticism can cause real accessibility problems to slip through unnoticed, undermining the very purpose of using these tools.

Once the trust is gone, so is the motivation to use these tools proactively. Instead of integrating accessibility checks early and often, teams may push them off to the final stages—or abandon them altogether. That’s a slippery slope that compromises both compliance and user experience.

Legal and Reputational Risks

Perhaps most serious of all, excessive false positives can mask true accessibility problems. If your team assumes a website is compliant based on misleading tool reports, users could face unexpected barriers. That scenario leaves your organization vulnerable to lawsuits, fines, and damage to brand reputation.

It’s a dangerous combination: a dashboard showing 100% compliance while screen reader users struggle to navigate key interactions. In the worst-case scenario, this could lead to legal action under ADA, Section 508, or similar laws depending on your location or industry.

Practical Steps to Minimize False Positives

It’s not about choosing between automation and accuracy—it’s about striking a balance. Here are a few strategies that can help:

Choose Tools Carefully

Accuracy is crucial. Opt for tools known to minimize false positives—look at reviews, user communities, and real-world feedback. Tools that offer detailed explanations for each issue help developers evaluate the context instead of blindly applying changes. Bonus points for tools that integrate smoothly into your CI/CD pipeline or Git workflows, allowing developers to spot and triage issues earlier in the process.

Combine Automated Testing with Manual Checks

Automation is valuable, but humans bring the necessary context. Regular manual reviews, particularly with real assistive technologies like screen readers or keyboard-only navigation, confirm whether flagged issues are real or simply more false positives. This human element provides critical insights into actual user experiences that no machine can replicate on its own.

Pairing automated scans with periodic expert reviews ensures you don’t end up trusting the scanner more than the people you’re building for.

Educate and Empower Your Team

Providing training ensures everyone knows what a genuine accessibility issue looks like. Regular team briefings, quick reference guides, or lunch-and-learn sessions can equip developers and QA specialists to confidently distinguish true issues from false positives during daily workflows.

It also helps to document commonly misflagged elements in your internal dev wiki or design system docs. That way, developers don’t waste time rediscovering the same conclusions again and again.

Shift Accessibility Testing Left

Accessibility testing should be a routine practice, integrated into every development phase—right alongside linting, unit testing, and code reviews. Early checks catch issues and limit the spread of false positives throughout your codebase.

This shift-left approach reduces last-minute panic before launches and promotes a culture where accessibility is part of the conversation from the start. Teams that embed these habits often find they’re able to respond to flagged issues faster and with greater confidence.

Engage Accessibility Specialists

Sometimes, complex implementations or large-scale projects need specialized insight. Accessibility experts can fine-tune automated testing parameters, spot challenging edge cases, and provide tailored recommendations. Their guidance helps reduce false positives and sets your project on a sustainable path forward.

Even a short-term partnership or audit can clarify which alerts deserve attention and which are tool-generated noise. Think of it like calling in an electrician to check wiring behind the walls—some things are better seen with trained eyes.

A True Positive Path Forward

False positives in accessibility testing aren’t just minor annoyances—they cost valuable resources, erode trust, and potentially expose your site to compliance risks. Left unchecked, they can derail good intentions and cause more confusion than clarity. But with the right balance of tools, process, and people, they don’t have to.

Start by picking better tools, pairing them with manual validation, and investing in your team’s knowledge. Make accessibility part of your workflow—not just a checkbox at the end. And when needed, bring in expert support to cut through the noise.

Want to take your accessibility efforts to the next level? Schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital. Our team will help you build a sustainable, practical strategy for achieving real-world accessibility and staying ahead of compliance requirements.
Greg McNeil

May 13, 2025

Testing & Remediation

Accessibility, Accessibility Remediation, false positives, Web Accessibility Remediation, web developers, web development, Website Accessibility
Celebrate GAAD: 6 Ways to Support Inclusion
On Thursday, May 15, 2025, workplaces, campuses, and whole communities will hit “pause” to celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)—a grassroots holiday that shines a bright spotlight on digital inclusion.

GAAD sprang from a single, compelling truth: when more people think about accessibility, more people build with accessibility in mind. The numbers speak for themselves—over one billion people around the globe live with a disability, and all of them interact with the web. Boosting access lifts the experience for everyone, from keyboard-only power users to friends scrolling on cracked phone screens. That’s why GAAD isn’t just a tech-industry affair; it’s a call-out that accessibility fuels brand trust, search performance, and legal peace of mind across every sector.

If building an inclusive business matters to you, GAAD is your moment to turn good intentions into forward-motion.

How GAAD Began: A Blog Post That Sparked a Global Movement

Flash back to 2011. Los Angeles developer Joe Devon dashed off a late-night blog post urging his peers to make accessibility “mainstream.” Toronto-based accessibility champion Jennison Asuncion retweeted it, and the duo launched the first GAAD in 2012.

Their concept was delightfully simple: one day each May devoted to thinking and talking about accessibility. No required format, no corporate sponsor—just open-source energy. It stuck. Fourteen years later, GAAD events stretch across every continent, from campus demos to enterprise-scale product sprints. The big takeaway? Progress catches fire the moment developers and designers decide today’s the day to try something new.

Why GAAD Still Matters in 2025

A decade of lawsuits, legislation, and public advocacy has pushed web accessibility onto mainstream project plans. Plenty of U.S. businesses now bake WCAG success criteria into design systems. Yet snag points remain—untagged PDF order forms, checkout flows that lose focus, videos whose auto-captions garble half the words.

GAAD serves as a structured pause to ask three energizing questions:
1. What has improved? Celebrate resolved tickets, fresh color palettes, and alt-text workflows that finally stick.
2. Where do gaps remain? Surface those pesky “parking-lot” issues that never seem to reach sprint planning.
3. How can we raise the bar? Turn wish-list ideas into measurable road-map line items.
Skip this reflection and accessibility efforts stall. Embrace it and teams rediscover energy, secure budget, and align with website-legal-compliance goals.

What’s In It for Business: Real-World Upside
- Highlight Your Commitment: Show your accessibility timeline—audit dates, remediation milestones, and future targets—to build trust with customers, regulators, and stakeholders.
- Strengthen Your Brand: Values-driven shoppers vote with their wallets. Visibility on GAAD proves inclusion is in your brand DNA, not a post-litigation scramble. Expect positive press, boosted employee pride, and a leg up in crowded markets.
- Engage Your Community: Accessibility stories humanize metrics. A quick screen-reader demo or a customer testimonial about smoother checkout turns policy into empathy—and empathy drives adoption far beyond the dev team.
Six Meaningful Ways to Celebrate GAAD 2025

Tip: Pick one or two ideas this year—depth beats volume. Next May, build on what worked.

Share Your Story

Craft a LinkedIn post, blog article, or internal memo chronicling your journey—from first spark (maybe an ADA letter, maybe a passionate employee) to key lessons and next goals. Authentic reflection invites peers to chime in with candid feedback.

Post on Social Media

Bite-sized content travels farther than white papers. Try a 60-second clip of your new color-contrast fix, a carousel of screen-reader shortcuts, or a punchy stat (“Only 3.1 % of home pages meet basic WCAG color contrast.”) with #GAAD and #AccessibilityMatters. Real, raw, and shareable wins every time.

Host an Internal Accessibility Chat

Swap formal workshops for a relaxed brown-bag session. Demo a color-blindness simulator, read sample alt text aloud, or show leadership how one missing label blocks checkout in two keystrokes. Thirty minutes can uncover easy fixes hiding in plain sight.

Educate Your Team

Use GAAD as a micro-learning catalyst. Share a five-minute video on ARIA landmarks, drop a Slack thread with a contrast-ratio calculator, or challenge designers to run a screen-reader audit on your top landing page. Small feats build big confidence.

Start an Accessibility Goals List

Turn “we should” into “we will.” Pick three goals to nail before GAAD 2026—mandatory alt-text fields in your CMS, automated axe-linter checks in pull requests, or a third-party manual audit every year. Publish the list where product owners can’t miss it.

Update Your Accessibility Statement

Keep your public pledge current. Swap vague promises for concrete dates and standards (“As of April 2025, we meet WCAG 2.2 AA on all primary templates”), add a feedback channel straight to your accessibility lead, and spotlight recent wins like reduced-motion options and crisper captions.

Looking Ahead: Building Daily Culture

GAAD is the spark, not the whole fire. Long-term inclusion thrives in daily processes, not one-day celebrations:
- Design sprints: Invite a user with assistive tech into prototype tests.
- Code reviews: Add a check for semantic HTML and keyboard flow.
- Content workflows: Make alt-text and caption columns non-optional.
- Customer support: Train agents to log and escalate accessibility barriers reported by users.
Celebrate your internal champions—developers who relish accessibility puzzles, marketers who write crystal-clear link text. Recognition programs, dedicated Slack channels, or monthly “a11y show-and-tell” sessions keep the momentum humming even when deadlines loom.

Your Invitation to Take the Next Step

GAAD 2025 marks progress, not the finish line. Whether you’re fresh off your first audit or refining mature design systems, there’s always another barrier to remove, another user to welcome. Use the day to celebrate wins, spotlight gaps, and commit to tangible goals.

Need a roadmap? 216digital offers concise ADA-compliance briefings that turn audits into actionable plans, marrying web-accessibility best practices with website-legal-compliance strategies. Schedule a session and walk away with clear next steps, realistic timelines, and renewed confidence that your site greets every visitor with open arms.

Let’s turn one Thursday into twelve months of better digital experiences—because inclusion, like code, gets better with every iterate-and-improve cycle.

Happy GAAD—and happy building!
Greg McNeil

May 12, 2025

Web Accessibility Remediation

Accessibility, ADA Website Compliance, GAAD, Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Web Accessibility, Website Accessibility
How Digital Accessibility Training Reduces Legal Risk
You’ve already put in the work. Your site has been remediated, the big accessibility issues are behind you, and things are finally in a good place. That’s huge. But here’s the thing—accessibility doesn’t stay fixed on its own.

Websites evolve fast. New content gets published. Layouts shift. Design trends change. And unless your internal team knows how to keep accessibility in place, even small updates can knock you out of compliance before you realize it.

This is where digital accessibility training becomes your secret weapon. It’s not about starting over—it’s about staying in control, protecting your investment, and building confidence across your team.

Why Accessibility Isn’t “One and Done”

If you’ve ever updated a button style or added an image without checking the alt text, you already get it: accessibility issues can sneak in easily.

Every time your team touches the website—whether it’s a blog post, a product update, or a code tweak—they’re either maintaining compliance… or breaking it.

Remediation isn’t the finish line. It’s the starting point for sustainable accessibility. And without digital accessibility training, your team is basically driving without a map. One wrong turn, and you’re back in legal territory.

The Legal Stakes: Second-Time Lawsuits Are Surging

Here’s a stat that should stick: 41% of accessibility lawsuits last year were filed against companies that had already been sued before. That’s not a coincidence. It’s a sign.

Fixing things once doesn’t mean you’re covered forever. If issues come back—especially the same ones—courts notice. And they’re less patient the second time around.

Digital accessibility training helps your team catch issues early, long before they show up in a legal complaint. It’s the difference between being reactive and being resilient.

Training Makes You Proactive, Not Dependent

When your team is trained, they can:
- Spot accessibility problems in real-time
- Design and code with accessibility in mind from the start
- Review content before it goes live—not after complaints roll in
Instead of waiting for a vendor audit (and the invoice that comes with it), you can handle it in-house. That means fewer delays, fewer emergencies, and fewer costs.

Digital accessibility training empowers your team to do accessibility right—the first time.

It’s Not Just the ADA Anymore

If your organization works with government agencies, serves international users, or plans to expand globally, accessibility compliance means more than just the ADA.

You’ve got:
- Section 508 in the U.S.
- EN 301 549 in the EU
- AODA in Ontario, Canada
- And, of course, WCAG, which ties it all together
Training helps your team navigate all of it. No guessing. No scrambling. Just smart, informed decisions that keep you compliant across borders.

Why Training Costs Less (and Does More) Than You Think

Hiring outside help every time something breaks? That adds up—fast.
- Emergency audits
- Last-minute fixes
- Legal consultations
- Brand damage
Now compare that to the cost of training your internal team once—and watching them catch and prevent those issues every day.

Digital accessibility training is a one-time investment that keeps paying off. It saves time, reduces legal risk, and builds real, lasting confidence across departments.

What 216digital’s Training Really Looks Like

At 216digital, we don’t do cookie-cutter courses. Your team isn’t generic—and your training shouldn’t be either.

Here’s what our digital accessibility training includes:
- Custom learning paths based on your CMS, platform, and team roles
- Modules for designers, developers, content creators, and PMs
- Real examples from your own website
- Practical tips that match the tools you already use
- Built-in support for the remediation work you’ve already completed
This isn’t about teaching theory. It’s about building confidence and making sure your site stays accessible.

Who Needs to Be Trained?

Short answer: anyone who touches your website. Because accessibility isn’t just a dev thing. It’s not just a design thing. It’s a whole team thing.
- Developers learn to code accessibly from the ground up
- Content creators learn how to format text, links, and images the right way
- Designers learn how to make inclusive choices from the start
- QA testers learn what to look for before pushing updates live
When the whole team is on the same page, accessibility becomes second nature—not an afterthought.

A Human Approach That Actually Sticks

At 216digital, we live this stuff. We’re developers, writers, testers, and designers just like you. We’ve seen how frustrating accessibility can be when it feels like a mystery—and we’re here to make it feel manageable.

Our digital accessibility training is:
- Practical – You’ll use what you learn right away
- Approachable – No jargon, no lectures, just real conversations
- Supportive – We’re here to help, not to judge
Accessibility is about people. So is training.

The Bottom Line: Keep What You’ve Built

You’ve already made a big investment in accessibility. Don’t let it fade over time.

Digital accessibility training is how you protect that work, reduce legal risk, and give your team the tools to move forward with confidence.

Let’s make sure your website stays inclusive—for everyone who needs it.

Ready to empower your team? Learn more and schedule a custom session at 216digital.com/216digit-training
Greg McNeil

April 30, 2025

Web Accessibility Training

Accessibility, Accessibility Training, Marketing, Web Accessibility, Web Accessibility Training, web development, Website Accessibility
How to Comply with the Accessible Canada Act (ACA)
More than 8 million Canadians aged 15 and older—about 22% of the population—live with a disability. For many Canadians, participating in everyday life isn’t as simple as it should be. Whether it’s trying to book a train ticket online or reading government services on a mobile device, too many still face digital and physical barriers.

The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) was created to help change that. It’s a law designed to make Canada more accessible for everyone, including online spaces. This guide breaks down what the ACA means, who needs to follow it, and how you can make your website more accessible—without needing to be a tech expert.

Understanding the Accessible Canada Act (ACA)

The ACA was introduced in 2018 and became law in 2019. It’s part of Canada’s big-picture goal to be barrier-free by 2040. That means removing obstacles across seven key areas:
- Jobs and workplaces
- Physical spaces
- Digital content and tech (like websites and apps)
- Communications
- Buying goods and services
- Public programs
- Transportation
What makes the ACA especially strong is that it was shaped by people with disabilities, organizations, and community leaders. It’s not just a set of rules—it’s a promise to include all Canadians in every part of life.

Who Needs to Comply with the ACA?

The ACA applies to federally regulated organizations. This includes:
- Government departments and agencies
- Crown corporations (like Canada Post or CBC)
- Banks and federal financial institutions
- Telecom companies (like phone and internet providers)
- Airlines, railways, and ferries
- Parliament (Senate and House of Commons)
If you fall into one of these categories, you must follow the ACA. But even if you don’t—say you run a private business or work under a provincial law—following the ACA is still a smart move. It can reduce legal risk, build trust with customers, and improve everyone’s experience with your website.

The Real-World Impact of Web Accessibility

Yes, the ACA is a law. But it’s also about something much deeper: inclusion.

When your website is accessible, it’s easier for everyone to use—not just people with disabilities. Think about clear navigation, readable fonts, and keyboard-friendly features. These help:
- Older adults
- People using screen readers
- Those with low vision or color blindness
- Anyone using voice commands or assistive devices
Accessible sites also rank better on search engines, reach wider audiences, and show you care about being fair and welcoming. That’s good for business and even better for community trust.

ACA Web Accessibility Standards and Guidelines

To follow the ACA, many organizations use a standard called WCAG 2.1 Level AA (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). While the ACA doesn’t make this mandatory, it’s the most recognized guide for creating accessible websites.

WCAG helps you cover:
- Text alternatives for images (like alt text)
- Keyboard access for people who can’t use a mouse
- Readable color contrast and font sizes
- Clear layout and structure
Another tool is EN 301 549, a European standard adopted in Canada. It adds more guidance for software, hardware, and mobile apps.

Using WCAG and EN 301 549 shows you’re serious about accessibility—and helps prove ACA compliance if questions ever come up.

Who Enforces the ACA—and What Happens If You Don’t Comply?

Different agencies oversee different sectors:
- Accessibility Commissioner: Reviews complaints and enforces penalties
- Canadian Transportation Agency: Handles transport issues
- CRTC: Monitors telecom and broadcasting
- FPSLREB: Focuses on federal workplace issues
If you break the rules under the ACA, you could face:
- Fines up to $250,000 per violation
- Compliance orders or warnings
- Corrective action agreements
It’s much easier—and smarter—to stay ahead of the curve.

How to Meet Web Accessibility Requirements

Start With an Audit

Use automated tools, but don’t stop there. Pair them with real human testing—especially from people with disabilities.

Design with accessibility in mind:
- Add text descriptions to images
- Make sure all parts of your site work with a keyboard
- Use simple, readable fonts
- Keep contrast between text and background strong
Get Feedback From User

People with lived experience can help you spot issues you may have missed.

Test Everything

Don’t forget about PDFs, videos, and mobile apps—they all need to meet ACA goals, too.

ACA Reporting and Documentation

If you’re federally regulated, the ACA says you must publish:
- An Accessibility Plan: This outlines how you’ll find and remove barriers, and must include input from people with disabilities.
- Progress Reports: Regular updates that show what’s been done and what’s next.
These aren’t just paperwork. They’re proof that you’re doing the work—and thinking long-term.

How to File an ACA Complaint

If someone feels a business or organization is breaking the ACA, they can file a complaint. The steps include:
1. Find the right agency (such as the Accessibility Commissioner or CTA)
2. Submit the complaint online or in another accessible way
3. Take part in any follow-up investigations
This system helps ensure people have a voice and that organizations stay accountable.

Other Accessibility Laws in Canada

Even if the ACA doesn’t apply to your business, provincial laws might. Here are some examples:
- AODA – Ontario
- AMA – Manitoba
- Nova Scotia Accessibility Act
- Accessible British Columbia Act
- Newfoundland and Labrador Accessibility Act
Many of these laws include WCAG requirements and share similar goals with the ACA: to make sure everyone, regardless of ability, can fully participate in society.

Helpful Tools and Support

You don’t have to do this alone. Many resources can help:
- CASDO (Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization): Creates national accessibility standards
- W3C (World Wide Web Consortium): Offers WCAG guidelines and support
- Testing tools: Use screen readers, color contrast checkers, and simulators to evaluate your site
- Ongoing training: Keep your team up to date with the latest best practices
Make Accessibility a Core Part of What You Do

Complying with the ACA isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about helping all people feel seen, heard, and included—online and beyond.

You don’t need to get everything perfect overnight. But you do need to start. The ACA sets a strong foundation, and taking action now puts you on the right path.

At 216digital, we understand the technical side of accessibility—and the human side, too. Whether you need an audit, a plan, or long-term strategy, we’re ready to help.

Let’s work together to make the web a better place for everyone.

Schedule your free consultation today and take the first step toward ACA compliance.
Greg McNeil

April 29, 2025

Legal Compliance

ACA, Accessibility, ADA Website Compliance, Canada, International Accessibility Laws, Website Accessibility
How Often Should You Audit Your Website for Accessibility?
You’ve already put in the effort to make your website accessible—and that’s no small thing. But accessibility isn’t something you fix once and forget. As your site evolves, even small changes can introduce new issues. That’s where regular check-ins come in. A web accessibility audit helps you catch problems early, stay aligned with current standards, and keep your site working for everyone.

So how often should you audit your site to maintain that progress? The answer depends on what’s changing—and when. In this article, we’ll break down the key moments when an audit makes sense, the risks of letting things slide, and how ongoing monitoring can help you stay ahead.

Why Web Accessibility Audits Are Critical

A web accessibility audit reviews your website’s design, code, and content to identify barriers that could make it hard—or even impossible—for people with disabilities to use your site. These audits typically test against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards, the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), and other regulations.

The risks of not auditing regularly are real for small to midsize businesses. Over the past few years, digital accessibility lawsuits have skyrocketed. In 2024 alone, more than 4,000 web accessibility lawsuits were filed under the ADA—and many of those targeted businesses that were unaware they had an issue.

The cost of defending even a small ADA lawsuit can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars, not to mention the damage to your brand’s reputation. Proactive audits help you spot and fix issues early, keeping your business protected and your customers happy.

When Should You Audit Your Website for Accessibility?

While accessibility should be baked into your website maintenance plan, certain milestones require a full web accessibility audit.

1. After a Website Redesign or Major Update

If you’ve recently rebranded, relaunched, or significantly redesigned your site, it’s critical to schedule a full accessibility audit. Even small navigation, layout, or feature changes can unintentionally introduce new barriers. Testing right after major updates ensures you catch and fix issues before customers encounter them—and before a potential lawsuit arises.

2. Before Launching New Features or Products

Rolling out a new e-commerce section? Adding a chatbot? Introducing video content or online booking? Before new features go live, a web accessibility audit should be part of your quality assurance checklist.

New code, third-party integrations, and interactive tools can create accessibility gaps. Testing pre-launch helps ensure all users can interact with the new elements, no matter what device or assistive technology they’re using.

3. Annually (at Minimum)

Even if your site hasn’t changed much, accessibility standards, best practices, and legal expectations evolve over time. Conducting a comprehensive web accessibility audit at least once a year ensures your site complies with current WCAG standards (currently WCAG 2.1 and moving toward 2.2) and applicable regulations.

Think of it like an annual checkup for your digital presence: it’s much easier and cheaper to maintain accessibility than to fix major problems down the road.

4. After User Feedback or Complaints

If a customer or visitor flags an accessibility issue, that’s a signal to audit right away—not just the problem area but the entire site. User feedback is invaluable because it often reveals real-world issues automated scans might miss. Addressing concerns quickly shows that your business takes accessibility seriously and is committed to serving all users.

5. When Laws or Guidelines Change

New accessibility laws, updates to WCAG standards, or changes in court interpretations can raise the bar for compliance. For instance, the Department of Justice recently released new guidance for web accessibility under Title II of the ADA. When legal standards shift, a fresh audit can make sure you’re aligned with the latest requirements.

Why Ongoing Monitoring Matters

While annual or event-based audits are critical, they’re not enough. Websites are dynamic—they grow, change, and update constantly. New products, marketing campaigns, and blog posts can all introduce accessibility problems over time.

That’s where ongoing accessibility monitoring comes in.

At 216digital, we developed a11y.Radar, a proactive monitoring service that continuously scans your site for accessibility issues. a11y.Radar doesn’t replace manual audits (human expertise is still key!), but it acts as an early warning system—catching errors before they snowball into bigger problems.

With a11y.Radar, you can:
- Receive real-time alerts about accessibility regressions
- Track ongoing improvements
- Maintain continuous WCAG compliance
- Reduce your risk of surprise lawsuits
This approach helps you move from a reactive stance (“fix it after a lawsuit”) to a proactive one (“prevent lawsuits by staying accessible”).

The Cost of Skipping Regular Web Accessibility Audits

Many small to midsize businesses skip regular accessibility audits because of perceived costs or time commitments. But the truth is, not auditing can cost far more.

Ignoring accessibility can lead to:
- ADA lawsuits and expensive legal settlements
- Court-ordered website remediation under tight (and expensive) deadlines
- Loss of customers who can’t use your site
- Negative publicity and damage to your brand’s reputation
- Higher remediation costs later, compared to maintaining accessibility from the start
Investing in regular audits and monitoring is like insurance for your website—and your business future.

How 216digital Can Help You Stay Compliant

At 216digital, we specialize in helping businesses of all sizes navigate the world of web accessibility with confidence. Our phased approach includes:
- Risk Mitigation Audits: A focused first-pass audit to quickly catch and fix high-risk issues.
- Real World Accessibility Audits: Deep manual testing with screen readers, keyboard-only navigation, and assistive technologies to find real-world barriers.
- Ongoing Monitoring with a11y.Radar: Continuous scanning and reporting to help you maintain compliance and stay ahead of risks.
We believe accessibility isn’t a one-time project—it’s an ongoing commitment. That’s why our services are designed to be flexible, scalable, and tailored to your business needs.

Whether starting from scratch, redesigning your website, or needing help managing compliance over time, 216digital can help you build and maintain a site that works for everyone—and protects your business simultaneously.

Keep Progress on Track with Confidence

Accessibility is never truly finished—but that’s a good thing. It means you have an opportunity to keep improving, keep welcoming, and keep your business open to everyone. Staying compliant isn’t about chasing checklists—it’s about maintaining the trust you’ve already worked hard to earn.If you’re wondering whether now is the right time for your next audit, it probably is. A quick conversation can help clarify where you stand and what steps make sense next. Schedule a free ADA accessibility briefing with 216digital, and let’s keep your site moving forward—securely, inclusively, and confidently.
Greg McNeil

April 28, 2025

Testing & Remediation

Accessibility, Accessibility Audit, Accessibility testing, automated testing, manual audit, Manual Testing, Website Accessibility
Building Trust Through Data Privacy and Accessibility
Picture this: you’re on a checkout page, ready to buy, when a wall of legal text blocks the button and your screen reader can’t even find the “accept” link. Do you trust that site? Most shoppers don’t—and they bail. Privacy and accessibility shouldn’t be an either-or proposition; handled together, they build instant confidence.

Too often, users are forced to choose between protecting their personal information and navigating a website with ease. A confusing privacy policy here, an inaccessible cookie banner there—and just like that, trust starts to slip. At their core, data privacy and accessibility both ask the same questions: Are we being clear? Are we giving people control? Are we including everyone? When these two efforts work together, they create a better experience for every user.

This article explores how to align your site’s approach to data privacy and accessibility, why it matters, and what steps your team can take to build real trust from the very first click.

Why Data Privacy and Accessibility Align

Data privacy is about protecting what you learn from your visitors. Accessibility is about making sure they can actually use your website. On the surface, these may seem like different goals, but they share three core principles:
- Transparency – Tell users what you do.
- Control – Let them decide how much to share.
- Inclusion – Make every tool usable.
When people understand your policies and can reach every corner of your site—whether by mouse, keyboard, or screen reader—they’re more likely to stick around, make purchases, and return again.

A Quick Primer on U.S. Privacy Rules

Let’s zoom in for a moment on data privacy laws in the U.S. Several states now give residents clear rights over their data. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and its update, the CPRA, let users see, delete, or limit the sale of their personal details. Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Virginia, and Oregon have passed similar laws.

Even if your company isn’t based in one of these states, chances are good that someone from those areas is visiting your site. Following the most comprehensive rules isn’t just about compliance—it’s the safest and smartest path forward for your brand.

What Accessibility Means Online

Accessibility means ensuring people with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive disabilities can use your site. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) spell out how to do this, with best practices like:
- Keyboard navigation
- Clear headings and layout
- Adequate color contrast
- Captions or transcripts for videos and audio
It’s not just about doing the right thing. Courts have increasingly linked the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to public-facing websites. That makes accessibility both a quality goal and a legal imperative.

Where the Two Worlds Meet

Want to see where data privacy and accessibility collide? Just look at your cookie banner.

This is often the first thing visitors see—and it’s where trust can break in two. If the banner traps keyboard focus, lacks contrast, or can’t be closed without a mouse, users who rely on assistive tech may bounce before they even get started. In that moment, data privacy controls fail, and usability collapses.

It’s a missed opportunity. Done well, that same banner could build credibility and demonstrate respect—for choice and access alike.

Four Places Trust Can Break

Let’s look at four areas of your site where trust is most likely to falter—and how to fix it before it does.

1. Consent & Cookie Pop-Ups: The Front Door of Trust
- Say it out loud. Code the banner so screen readers announce the headline first—not the fine print.
- Keep the keyboard in the room. Maintain a clear focus ring so keyboard users never lose track.
- Use plain language. Simple buttons like “Accept,” “Decline,” and “Customize” make choices obvious.
2. Forms and Checkout
- Ask for only what you need. Don’t overreach with your data collection.
- Pair every field with a label. Avoid using placeholder text alone.
- Flag errors clearly. Use both text and color, and link error messages back to the form fields.
3. Analytics and Tracking
- Honor Do Not Track signals. Respect user intent where it’s expressed.
- Add opt-out links. Put them in your footer and make them keyboard accessible.
- Anonymize IPs. Avoid tying activity to identifiable users when possible.
4. Content Files
- Tag your PDFs. Make them searchable and readable.
- Scrub personal info. Clean downloadable files of names or sensitive data.
- Write great alt text. Describe visuals without exposing private details.
These aren’t extras—they’re basics. Nail them, and you’ll show visitors you care about both their data privacy and their ability to engage.

Building a Cross-Team Trust Framework

Trust isn’t built in one department—it’s a team effort. But in many organizations, legal, development, and marketing work in silos. That’s a recipe for gaps.

Instead, bring everyone to the table with shared goals:
- Legal writes policies in clear, eighth-grade reading level language. Add a short “Plain English Summary” at the top.
- Developers turn policy into practice. They build with WCAG 2.2 AA in mind, test with screen readers, and verify keyboard accessibility.
- Marketing respects consent signals. They use analytics tools that focus on aggregated data and avoid building detailed user profiles.
Hold short monthly standups. Each group should report progress on bounce rate, opt-out rate, and accessibility errors. When everyone has a number to own, priorities align.

Action Plan in Seven Steps

A combined data privacy and accessibility strategy doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a quick-start checklist:
1. Map every data touchpoint. Include forms, chats, analytics tools, and third-party scripts.
2. Run a joint audit. One checklist, two goals. Avoid duplicate work.
3. Fix high-risk issues first. Broken keyboard access on a checkout form can cost you sales—and get you sued.
4. Choose a consent platform that meets WCAG. Look for keyboard support and scalable font sizes.
5. Rewrite dense policy pages. Use short sentences, descriptive headers, and bullet points.
6. Train your team. Cover accessibility and data privacy in new hire orientation and quarterly refreshers.
7. Publish a changelog. Tell users when you update how their data is handled or how the site works. It shows you’re transparent.
Measuring Success

Trust is hard to measure—but not impossible. Here are a few indicators that your efforts are paying off:
- Fewer support tickets about navigation or login issues
- Lower cart abandonment rates
- Higher sign-ups after revising consent forms
- Better survey results when asking if users feel safe and included
Small gains in these areas show you’re on the right track. Over time, they compound into stronger customer relationships.

Final Thoughts

Trust isn’t just a design trend—it’s a survival strategy in modern e-commerce. When data privacy and accessibility go hand in hand, you create a website that feels safe, respectful, and inclusive.

And that kind of experience builds loyalty.

If you’d like a second set of eyes on both privacy and accessibility, let’s talk. At 216digital, we specialize in aligning accessibility and data privacy from the ground up. Together, we can help you build a site that earns trust from the first click—and keeps it long after the page loads.
Greg McNeil

April 25, 2025

Legal Compliance, Web Design & Development

California Consumer Privacy Act, data privacy, WCAG, web development, Website Accessibility
8 Must-Know Real World Accessibility Facts
Imagine your online store is polished, your marketing campaigns are humming, and the checkout button is ready for clicks—yet one out of every four visitors can’t complete a purchase because the site trips them up. They might rely on a screen reader that can’t parse your menus, or a keyboard that gets trapped in a popup. Multiply that frustration by 70 million Americans with disabilities, and the gap becomes impossible to ignore.

That gap is what we call real world accessibility—the difference between a site that merely exists and one that truly works for everyone. If you’re a busy business owner or marketing lead, you don’t need another technical lecture. You need clear facts, plain language, and a practical path forward.

The eight statistics ahead will show why accessibility isn’t optional anymore—it’s a smart move for growth, trust, and peace of mind.

1. 70 Million Adults in the U.S. Live With a Disability

Let’s start with the big one: 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. has a disability. That includes people with mobility challenges, vision or hearing loss, cognitive differences like ADHD or dyslexia, and more.

This isn’t just about permanent conditions either. Temporary disabilities—like recovering from surgery—or situational ones—like trying to use a website on a cracked phone screen—also affect how people experience your site.

Real world accessibility means your website should work for everyone, right out of the gate. If 25% of your market couldn’t open your front door, you’d fix it. The same should apply to your digital front door.

2. People With Disabilities Influence Over $7 Trillion in Spending Power

According to the Global Economics of Disability Report, people with disabilities hold $1.3 trillion in direct disposable income. When you include their families and friends who often shop with their needs in mind, that number jumps to over $7 trillion.

This isn’t a small segment. It’s a major market force.

If you’re not prioritizing real world accessibility, you’re leaving money on the table. Businesses that bake inclusion into their design often win lifelong customers—not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s also smart business.

3. Accessibility Impacts Buying Decisions for the Majority of Users

Here’s something every eCommerce business should know:
- 83% of users with access needs limit their shopping to websites they know are accessible.
- 71% leave a site entirely if it’s hard to use.
Most won’t leave feedback. They’ll just disappear.

That means your site could be working against you—and you might not even realize it. Real world accessibility is tied directly to conversion rates, customer loyalty, and user trust. If your checkout form isn’t keyboard-friendly or your product descriptions aren’t screen reader accessible, you could be quietly losing sales.

4. WCAG-Compliant Sites Outperform by 50%

Websites that follow WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) outperform competitors by up to 50%. Why? Because accessible sites are cleaner, easier to navigate, mobile-friendly, and better for SEO.

These improvements benefit everyone—not just people with disabilities. Faster load times, simpler layouts, and more intuitive design aren’t just accessibility wins—they’re usability wins.

When you take real world accessibility seriously, you’re not just avoiding issues. You’re building a stronger, more future-ready digital presence.

5. 94.8% of Homepages Are Inaccessible in 2025

WebAIM’s 2025 report found that nearly 95% of websites fail basic accessibility checks. That’s almost every homepage on the internet.

What does “inaccessible” look like in the real world?
- Buttons that don’t work with a keyboard
- Low contrast text that’s hard to read
- Forms without labels that screen readers can’t interpret
Real world accessibility problems aren’t always obvious—but they’re frustrating for users and damaging to your brand. Fixing them means fewer bounce rates, better user engagement, and a more welcoming experience for everyone.

6. eCommerce Sites Have Some of the Worst Accessibility Scores

If you’re running an online store, this one’s for you. WebAIM found these average issue counts per homepage:
- Shopify: 69.6
- WooCommerce: 75.6
- Magento: 85.4
That’s a lot of potential roadblocks for customers trying to shop.

Even popular platforms have major flaws. Real world accessibility isn’t baked into every theme or plugin—and adding new features can sometimes make things worse. The more customized your site is, the more important it is to audit for accessibility regularly.

7. Over 4,000 ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuits Were Filed in 2024

Accessibility isn’t just about user experience—it’s about legal risk, too. In 2024:
- 2,400 lawsuits were filed in federal court
- 1,600 in state courts
- 961 involved repeat defendants
That last stat is key: businesses that don’t fix issues after being sued are getting hit again.

Real world accessibility helps you stay out of the courtroom and focus on serving your customers. A proactive strategy can save you time, money, and major headaches.

8. ADA Title III Lawsuits Aren’t Slowing Down in 2025

This year, accessibility lawsuits are expected to rise. Why?
- The law currently favors plaintiffs.
- The federal government is rolling back new regulations.
- “Serial litigation” is becoming more common.
Waiting for clear rules before acting is risky. Businesses that put accessibility off are more likely to become targets. Investing in real world accessibility now protects you in the long run—and shows customers you care.

Accessibility Is a Smart Business Strategy

Let’s be honest—this stuff can feel overwhelming. You’ve got a million things on your plate already. But here’s the good news: real world accessibility doesn’t have to be perfect from day one. It just has to be in motion.

Start by learning. Then take action—small steps, big impact.

At 216digital, we believe accessibility is more than a checkbox—it’s a competitive edge. Our team combines human expertise with tools like a11y.Radar to help you identify, fix, and monitor accessibility issues—before they turn into lost sales or legal risk.

Want help getting started?
Schedule your free ADA Accessibility Briefing today, and let’s build a better web—one that works for everyone.
Greg McNeil

April 24, 2025

The Benefits of Web Accessibility, Web Accessibility Remediation

Accessibility, real world accessibility, Web Accessibility, WebAIM, Website Accessibility

Frost v. Lion Brand Yarn Company Case

Court Decision and ADA Title III Interpretation

Legal Reasoning Behind ADA Title III Decision

Broader Implications of ADA Title III in Digital Accessibility

The Legal Shift Toward Website Accessibility Under ADA Title III

Actionable Steps for Compliance with ADA Title III

Conduct Accessibility Audits

Implement WCAG Guidelines

Train Development Teams

Engage Users with Disabilities

Maintain Ongoing Compliance

Implications of ADA Title III for Businesses

The Time to Act is Now

Why Accessibility Still Matters for Embedded Content

A Quick History of Frames (and Why They Were Retired)

Where Iframes Fit Today

Best Practices for Accessible Iframes

Give Every Iframe a Descriptive Title

Keep Keyboard Navigation Intuitive

Maintain a Logical Heading Structure

Let the Browser Handle Scrolling

Embrace Responsive Iframes

Hide Decorative or Redundant Iframes

When to Skip Accessible Iframes Altogether

Testing Your Work

Wrapping Up

The Real Challenge of Mobile Accessibility

Common Barriers with Mobile Form Accessibility

Invisible Text Fields

Quick fix:

Keyboard Blocking Form Fields

A simple JavaScript nudge:

Unexpected Focus Shifts

Rules of thumb:

Practical Steps to Improve Mobile Form Accessibility

Proper Labeling Is Crucial

Design with Keyboard Visibility in Mind

Maintain a Logical Navigation Order

Use Semantic HTML First, ARIA Thoughtfully

Real-Device Testing Is Essential

Don’t Forget About Error Messaging

Support Multiple Interaction Modes

Building Mobile Form Accessibility Into Your Workflow

What a False Positive Really Is

The Hidden Costs of False Positives

Time and Budget Drain

Erosion of Trust in Tools

Legal and Reputational Risks

Practical Steps to Minimize False Positives

Choose Tools Carefully

Combine Automated Testing with Manual Checks

Educate and Empower Your Team

Shift Accessibility Testing Left

Engage Accessibility Specialists

A True Positive Path Forward

How GAAD Began: A Blog Post That Sparked a Global Movement

Why GAAD Still Matters in 2025

What’s In It for Business: Real-World Upside

Six Meaningful Ways to Celebrate GAAD 2025

Share Your Story

Post on Social Media

Host an Internal Accessibility Chat

Educate Your Team

Start an Accessibility Goals List

Update Your Accessibility Statement

Looking Ahead: Building Daily Culture

Your Invitation to Take the Next Step

Why Accessibility Isn’t “One and Done”

The Legal Stakes: Second-Time Lawsuits Are Surging

Training Makes You Proactive, Not Dependent

It’s Not Just the ADA Anymore

Why Training Costs Less (and Does More) Than You Think

What 216digital’s Training Really Looks Like

Who Needs to Be Trained?

A Human Approach That Actually Sticks

The Bottom Line: Keep What You’ve Built

Understanding the Accessible Canada Act (ACA)

Who Needs to Comply with the ACA?

The Real-World Impact of Web Accessibility

ACA Web Accessibility Standards and Guidelines