The threat is real and only getting worse. Just as a commercial property can be sued for not being accessible, so can a commercial website. A website is legally viewed as a public accommodation and under Title III, all public accommodations must be fully compliant.
Serial litigants are now targeting websites for ADA lawsuits. From Dominos Pizza to small local businesses, every commercial website faces the risk of being sued.
We have observed the damage to businesses accelerate over the last couple of years. Initially, inquiries would trickle in sporadically, but now we receive calls for help almost daily. We are not alone in noticing this surge in ADA website lawsuits.
An ADA defense specialist lawyer we collaborate with used to handle 100% physical lawsuits. Now, she handles 50% physical and 50% website lawsuits, and anticipates soon handling 100% website lawsuits.
That is why we are launching this series of blog posts with accompanying videos to help explain the major issues that can render a website non-accessible.
Color Contrast and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Today, our focus is on contrast and color, which are critical for users with visual disabilities. To comply with WCAG 2.2 AA standards, viewers must be able to perceive content on the page.
For website accessibility, compliant contrast is defined by a proper measure of the difference in perceived brightness between two colors. Sufficient contrast is required between foreground and background colors, not just for text and images, but also for links, icons, and buttons.
Contrast is important for everyone. No one responds well when their eyes have to strain due to insufficient contrast.
However, for people with low contrast sensitivity, which is common as people age, insufficient contrast isn't just a nuisance; it can make a website impossible to navigate. If the level of contrast is lower than required, your website will not be accessible to everyone, and you could face a lawsuit.
So, how do you ensure your website has sufficient contrast to be accessible to everybody? Have a trained professional auditor review your site. Do not rely on software programs to scan your site; they only achieve about 40% accuracy.
A live audit is crucial for verifying that your website is accessible to all. This applies not only to color and contrast but also to hundreds of other factors a website must meet to be ADA compliant.
Should you wish to discuss this process, or how we can assist you in auditing a website, please do not hesitate to reach out.
https://www.youtube.com/embed//gbQ9wZcuZSk