Will I go to jail if my website isn’t accessible?
Unlikely.
But you could wind up in court
We’re not aware of anyone being imprisoned for having an inaccessible website. But you could get sued and suffer a stiff financial penalty.
What is web accessibility?
Over a billion people in the world (15%) experience some form of disability. A disability is defined as any condition of the body or the mind that makes it difficult to perform certain activities.
Web accessibility means that websites and digital tools should be designed and developed in a way that people with disabilities can use them without any hindrance.
A few first steps
We’re not lawyers, but you’re less likely to wind up in court if you follow a few simple suggestions:
- Your website has no obvious problems that are detectable with the WebAIM WAVE accessibility tool (link below).
- You have an easy-to-find accessibility statement on your website that outlines your commitment to accessibility standards.
- You respond quickly to any accessibility complaints or inquiries.
Following these first steps is no guarantee that you’ll avoid the attention of hungry attorneys, but it will indicate awareness and effort on your part.
Our thoughts
Lawsuits brought against companies with website accessibility problems are getting more common, especially in New York, California, and Florida. So be forewarned — it’s not something you can afford to ignore. First, implement the fundamentals listed above and make a commitment to ongoing improvement. But if your site’s a complete mess, hire an accessibility expert to conduct a thorough review and fix it.
