What is WCAG Compliance?
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is a set of international standards. Specifications to promote and encourage inclusivity, equality and minimise exclusion from websites because of disability. It is produced by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and is primarily concerned with digital access to online content.
ADA stands for American Disability Act (1990) and legislates for physical as well as digital anti-discrimination. Australia has the DDA the Disability Discrimination Act (1992). Then there is the AODA Accessibility for Ontarians Disabilities Act coming into force from June 2021.
Globally, any country which is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in which Article 9 (link will open in a new window) is obliged to follow these international standards. It is called the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and is produced by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
Why you need Regular Compliance Audits?
Essentially WCAG Compliance Audits are run to ensure that everyone, can use your website and access the content the way it was intended. Especially focusing on people with disabilities; like hearing, colour blindness, old age or impaired function. This can include anyone who uses assistive devices, such as screen readers, to view the internet. Since technology, hardware and legislation changes, getting a regular audit ensures your website remains up to date.
Imagine for a moment, your best business prospect is unable to use a mouse or mobile phone. Maybe they don’t have hands. How can they use your website to engage your business? Do you know what they would need you to provide?
What about if they are blind? Do you know what forms your website needs to take so they can use your site? If not, you don’t just risk losing their business to the competition. You also risk getting hit with a lawsuit from them for discrimination.
What about legal requirements?
Just like buildings are legally required to have disability access, websites are also legally required to be accessible. Businesses who haven’t complied were not issued with any warning before they were sued.
No business can afford to ignore WCAG compliance. Even the smallest businesses are being sued by individuals and lawyers. For everything up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Worldwide all types of businesses are being slapped with ADA lawsuits. More and more every year. Non compliance lawsuits have become the latest growth area for ambulance chasing lawyers.
My WCAG Compliance Audit offers your business a solution.
A solution to analyse how your website complies with all WCAG standards. One where you won’t have to read through (and understand) tons of legislation and policies. Or need to learn the technical jargon to interpret all the different requirements.
It doesn’t matter what type of business you operate, or where you are in the English speaking world, I can help. By providing some peace of mind. As well as the benefit of a written report. Which outlines how your website will comply to the WCAG. Including recommended actions to take.
Get your WCAG Compliance Audit
For all your digital content online. WCAG Compliance is required beyond just your website. These policies cover your videos, apps, ebooks, training pdfs or any other digital documents.
Contact me and book a no obligation chat to learn more.