Did you know that one in five adults in the United States has a disability?
 
People with disabilities need the internet for daily living, as we all do. Making the web accessible is the right thing to do – and it increases reach and potential for everyone.
 
Now, thanks to the landmark Gil v. Winn-Dixie Stores ruling in June, web accessibility has become even more important. Businesses without accessible websites and mobile apps run a greater risk of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
 
Get started with these steps and reduce your legal risk today.  
 

Why Winn-Dixie Matters To You

 
Three Steps To Take Right Now

• Consider the benefits. Web accessibility provides access and opportunity to those of varying abilities. But it also ties in with steps you may already be taking to create a great user experience, improve device compatibility, optimize SEO and increase your marketing reach. There are benefits at many levels.
• Check out WCAG 2.0. The Winn-Dixie ruling dictated that the company must adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. These guidelines are becoming the “gold standard” for digital accessibility. Making sure your websites and apps comply with WCAG 2.0 guidelines are your best way to minimize legal risk for now.
• Implement best practices. With the right planning and attention, accessibility doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. It’s all about making changes to ensure design and content works for disabled users, whether they have visual, auditory, motor or cognitive disabilities. For a great quick resource, visit our feature on the topic, Website Accessibility 101, and start with the accessible web design best practices checklist.