Digital Accessibility Resources

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Digital Accessibility Resources

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Improve digital accessibility with ADA Site Compliance's solutions adhering to WCAG 2.1 AA and DOJ regulations! – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Date added: 25 July 2024
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Title: Digital Accessibility Resources


1
Digital Standards
2
The Ultimate Guide to the DOJ Title II Rule
Making Government Digital Services Accessible
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has
been a cornerstone in transforming public life
for individuals with disabilities by ensuring
equal access to physical spaces, services, and
opportunities. However, as our society
increasingly moves online, the digital landscape
presents a new frontier of challenges. This
article will guide the DOJ Title II rule for
making Government digital services accessible for
individuals with disabilities. Despite the ADAs
groundbreaking impact, many government websites
and mobile apps remain inaccessible. It creates
barriers to essential information and services
for people with disabilities. It limits access
and undermines ADA principles of equality and
inclusivity. The solution lies in web
accessibility to foster a more inclusive society
where everyone, irrespective of their abilities,
can independently and equally access important
information and services. It includes activities
like applying for permits and engaging in
community programs. The Department of Justice
(DOJ) has played an integral role in enforcing
ADA compliance for state and local government
entities. Read on to learn more about this, and
the new regulations to enhance web
accessibility. Maintaining web compliance can be
complex, but it is necessary for compliance and
to create an inclusive digital environment. We at
ADA Site Compliance can make web accessibility
easier for you. We ensure your websites and
mobile apps meet all legal requirements
efficiently, bridge the accessibility gap, and
demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity.
3
  • Accessibility Standards What You Need To Know
  • The DOJ Title II Rule clearly defines accessible
    web content and mobile apps.
  • The regulation adopts Website Compliance
    Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA to
    ensure digital content is perceivable, operable,
    understandable, and robust for users with
    disabilities.
  • These guidelines list the requirements for web
    compliance that include using alt text
    descriptions for images, providing keyboard
    accessibility for navigation, and using clear
    language to enhance comprehension.
  • The state and local governments create truly
    inclusive digital platforms through the WCAG
    like
  • Alternative text descriptions that allow screen
    readers to understand visual content
  • Keyboard accessibility for individuals with motor
    disabilities to navigate websites without a
    mouse.
  • Clear and straightforward language that makes
    information easier and more accessible to users
    with cognitive disabilities.
  • Affected Parties
  • The new DOJ rule majorly impacts United States
    state and local government entities. According to
    the Department, about 109,893 state and local
    government websites and 8,805 mobile applications
    face the impact.

4
  • The Implementation Process
  • In addition to setting accessibility standards,
    the DOJ Title II Rule also outlines its
    implementation process. First and foremost, users
    with disabilities can legally file complaints
    with the DOJs Civil Rights Division if they
    encounter inaccessible web content or mobile
    apps.
  • The rule itself does not specify penalties.
  • The DOJ investigates these complaints and
    accordingly pursues injunctive relief for
    compliance. So non-compliant public entities may
    be legally required to make their digital
    platforms accessible.
  • The DOJ also provides the following support to
    help state and local governments implement new
    regulations for a smooth transition into
    compliant digital platforms
  • Technical assistance
  • Online resources
  • Training sessions
  • Webinars to help entities understand and meet
    accessibility requirements.
  • Key Provisions of the New Rule

5
  • Specific Exceptions from Compliance
  • As entities begin to navigate this process,
    understanding the specific exceptions from
    compliance becomes crucial. Yes, it is after
    recognizing the potential challenges in some
    cases, that the DOJ has outlined five exemptions
    where compliance is not mandatory
  • Archived Web Content
  • Websites containing archived materials like old
    meeting minutes or historical documents are often
    no longer actively used. So they are exempt from
    the compliance requirement unless someone with a
    disability makes a request.
  • Preexisting Conventional Electronic Documents
  • Any old documents created and stored for
    reference on a website are exempt from
    compliance. However, old documents presently used
    for application, gaining access to, and
    participation in any public entitys service,
    program, or activity must meet accessibility
    requirements.
  • Third-Party Content
  • Any content posted by third parties is exempt
    from the compliance requirements unless posted on
    behalf of the public entity as per contractual,
    licensing, or other arrangements. This exemption
    is because public entities have no control over
    content generated on their platform by
    independent third parties.
  • Password-Protected Conventional Electronic
    Documents
  • Password-protected or secured documents, related
    to a specific individual, their property, or
    their account, are exempt from compliance. It is
    to protect sensitive personal information and the
    challenges in making such content accessible.

6
  • Estimated Costs for Digital Accessibility
  • With substantial costs associated with
    implementing the new rule, the DOJ has provided
    estimates to help entities assess their potential
    financial burden of compliance. The annual costs
    over a decade are estimated to be between 3.3
    billion and 3.5 billion, at 3 and 7 discounted
    rates, respectively. These costs include
  • Implementation Costs
  • The first three years of implementation costs to
    ensure digital platforms are accessible to
    everyone may approximately cost 16.9 million
    (undiscounted). These costs include cost for
  • Updating websites and mobile applications to meet
    WCAG 2.1 standards
  • Staff training
  • The necessary tools and technologies
  • Ongoing Maintenance Costs
  • In addition to the initial implementation period,
    the projected annual OM costs for the next seven
    years, are 2.0 billion. These ongoing expenses
    cover the costs to ensure digital content remains
    accessible and compliant with WCAG 2.1 and
    include
  • Regular audits

7
  • Repercussions of Non-Compliance
  • Digital accessibility is mandatory to ensure
    everyone can access digital content and mobile
    apps. It lets all internet users have no
    difficulties accessing essential information and
    services.
  • With it playing such an important role,
    non-compliance comes with its repercussions. Web
    developers and website owners who do not ensure
    their digital content is compliant face the
    following consequences
  • Legal Consequences
  • Public entities may face lawsuits from
    individuals or advocacy groups, making them meet
    accessibility standards. Non-compliance with the
    new DOJ rule can lead to significant legal
    ramifications resulting in
  • Substantial fines
  • Legal fees
  • Exorbitant lawsuits
  • Other associated costs
  • These legal actions can leave a considerable
    financial burden on public institutions.

8
  • Reputation and Trust
  • Non-compliance can lead to public outcry and a
    loss of trust, thus severely damaging an entitys
    reputation, especially among individuals with
    disabilities and advocacy groups. The loss of
    trust can have long-lasting effects, especially
    amongst people with disabilities and advocacy
    groups, as they lose confidence in the entitys
    commitment to inclusivity and equal access.
  • Besides, a damaged reputation can also impact the
    entitys ability to serve its community.
  • Operational Challenges
  • Legal battles and the need for urgent compliance
    measures can disrupt the public entitys
    operations. The diversion of resources and
    attention from other critical projects to address
    the accessibility issues can lead to operational
    inefficiencies and reduce the overall
    effectiveness of the entitys services.
  • In short
  • The DOJ Title II Rule ensures digital
    accessibility and equality for individuals with
    disabilities. The clear standards and enforcement
    mechanisms set a national precedent for digital
    inclusion.
  • However, the field of digital accessibility
    continually evolves as technology advances. The
    DOJ has to constantly update the guidelines and
    requirements per the latest practices and
    innovations.
  • To stay compliant and foster an inclusive digital
    environment, state and local governments, web
    developers, and designers must remain informed
    about these changes.
  • Regular reviews and updates for digital content
    and platforms according to the latest
    accessibility standards ensure everyone has equal
    access to their content. This dedication to
    accessibility contributes to creating a more
    inclusive society where everyone can participate
    fully in public life.

https//adasitecompliance.com/ultimate-guide-doj-t
itle-ii-rule-making-government-digital-services-ac
cessible/
9
ADA Site Compliance
Website Digital Accessibility Solutions
https//adasitecompliance.com/
8401 Lake Worth Rd Lake Worth, FL
33467 info_at_adasitecompliance.com (561)
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ce/ https//twitter.com/siteCompliance https//www
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