Web Accessibility to be Refreshed in 2014

Moving into 2014, web accessibility is expected to make serious advances and movement throughout the year. Changes are anticipated in everything from finalizing accessibility plans, refreshing current policies, to increased accessibility overall.

The Section 508 that is known today will be refreshed in the upcoming twelve months, the update will call for government establishments to be compliant at level AA of the WCAG 2.0.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was amended in 1998 creating Section 508.  The amendment was created to require government organizations to provide access to all digital information, but with rapid advances in technology the amendment has been unable to cover all areas of accessibility. The coming refresh will attempt to address the uncovered accessibility areas.

The update advances from level A to AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). WCAG 2.0 represents the most recent set of suggestions put out by the W3C, the guidelines are composed of specifications to ensure digital technology is usable for disabled individuals. The specifications encompass three degrees of testable guidelines: A, AA and AAA. The levels become more difficult to adjust to as each particular level because the levels build on one another.

Level A: first criteria
Level AA: required to comply with A and AA
Level AAA: required comply with A, AA and AAA

Predicted to be revealed later in the year is the refresh to Section 508, an extension to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that specifies obligatory necessities to obtain web accessibility guidelines. Indicators imply that upgrades are thought to be approved in March preceding any legislative alterations in a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM). Current discussion signifies that preliminary expected conformance date of any proposed changes will be no earlier than 2016 to provide time to put into place new standards.

Structured Negotiations and Website Accessibility

Lawsuits pertaining to web accessibility have currently been in the news, and becoming more relevant to all business owners. Businesses are progressively understanding the risks and danger associated with having an inaccessible website.  Having products, services, and even information that are not accessible to people having impairments can put a business at serious risk for legal action. Many legal proceedings seek substantial payouts for inaccessible websites but, for most accessibility cases making a website usable to individuals with disabilities is more important than receiving a large settlement. To achieve the goal of accessibility some businesses are fortunate to be approached with improving their website through a less damaging approach, through structured negotiations.

What are Structured Negotiations?
Structured negotiations take a cooperative approach to repair website disputes rather than to seek monetary benefits. This technique allows businesses to avoid legal action, while advocates receive an accessible website. Negotiations are made between the advocate party and company, once an agreement is made, a legally binding contract will be created and signed by both parties. This method is increasingly utilized for advocacy groups with a positive outcome. More websites are becoming accessible and helping to generate awareness for web accessibility.

Positive Outcomes for Accessibility
Negotiations have provided remarkable positive aspects for the rights of the impaired. Through these types of discussions there are now; audio pedestrian indicators, voice ATMs, and many establishments that supply POS (point of sale) instruments in their stores. Internet accessibility has become a priority for disability advocates. Many modifications have been made for businesses of all sizes to acquire accessibility and have become devoted to preserving an easily accessible website. A few major organizations that have been involved in accessibility negotiations are; CVS, 7-Eleven, Wells Fargo and the non-profit American Cancer Society.

The danger of a lawsuit continues to be a serious issue and businesses can face serious penalties for not having an accessible website but, negotiations can provide a more amicable solution. The collective approach can assist to implement necessary improvements that are far less costly than a lawsuit. Businesses ought to be aware of all risks linked to having a website that is not usable to individuals with disabilities. If web accessibility enhancements are implemented now, perhaps businesses can evade ever being approached with a lawsuit or negotiations altogether.