Whilst digital services have become the bread and butter of most state and local IT departments over the last few years, accessibility often seems like an afterthought.
For the able-bodied, the digitization of these government benefits and services can make life easier and interactions with government services less grueling. But for those with low vision or blindness, or those (like me) who use accessibility technologies such as screen-readers (or Bionic Reader), the expectation of completing essential tasks entirely online can be a barrier to access when government websites aren’t up to snuff.
Website accessibility is not a convenience — it’s essential. And rectifying this digital shortcoming by making websites and services accessible might soon be mandated by upcoming federal legislation. Several states are already leading the charge on making these improvements. Sadly, my state isn’t one of them.
In 2022, a record number of lawsuits related to website accessibility were filed, according to the the law firm Seyfarth Shaw. Plaintiffs last year filed a total of 3,225 federal suits related to website accessibility, a 12% increase from 2021.
Legislation could soon fill these contested gaps. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., introduced a bill last year called the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act, which would require employers, public entities and public accommodations that offer goods or services to have accessible websites even if they’re only online. Unfortunately, it gained little traction. She’s said that she plans on reintroducing it this year.
The ADA needs an update for the digital era
The ADA needs an update for the digital era
The ADA needs an update for the digital era
Whilst digital services have become the bread and butter of most state and local IT departments over the last few years, accessibility often seems like an afterthought.
For the able-bodied, the digitization of these government benefits and services can make life easier and interactions with government services less grueling. But for those with low vision or blindness, or those (like me) who use accessibility technologies such as screen-readers (or Bionic Reader), the expectation of completing essential tasks entirely online can be a barrier to access when government websites aren’t up to snuff.
Website accessibility is not a convenience — it’s essential. And rectifying this digital shortcoming by making websites and services accessible might soon be mandated by upcoming federal legislation. Several states are already leading the charge on making these improvements. Sadly, my state isn’t one of them.
In 2022, a record number of lawsuits related to website accessibility were filed, according to the the law firm Seyfarth Shaw. Plaintiffs last year filed a total of 3,225 federal suits related to website accessibility, a 12% increase from 2021.
Legislation could soon fill these contested gaps. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., introduced a bill last year called the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act, which would require employers, public entities and public accommodations that offer goods or services to have accessible websites even if they’re only online. Unfortunately, it gained little traction. She’s said that she plans on reintroducing it this year.