How Web Accessibility Will Affect Your eCommerce Business
- By Jane Dawson
- Published 07/16/2009
- Internet Law
- Unrated
There is a strong movement from disability advocates to adapt the existing Americans with Disabilities Act Regulation for Title III to ecommerce in the United States and around the world.
Many countries abroad have some form of web accessibility law already, though these laws and recommendations vary greatly from one country to the next. You need to review web accessibility laws in the specific locations where you ship your products.
In 2008 the U.S. Target Corporation settled a lawsuit with the National Federation of the Blind. The Federation claimed Target's website was inaccessible to individuals who are disabled. The case resulted in damages being paid but did not set any case precedent. Target did revise their website. Disability advocates will continue to sue web-based businesses that have inaccessible websites to establish an accessibility ruling precedent. Eventually accessibility regulations will become law on the World Wide Web.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has made an attempt at revising web accessibility guidelines. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 is now the official recommendation for web accessibility for the disabled. These new set of guidelines replace the WCAG 1.0 W3C recommendations of 1999.
There are twelve guidelines designed around four fundamental categories:
Perceivable:
- Provide text alternatives for non-text content.
- Provide captions and alternatives for audio and
video content.
- Make content adaptable; and make it available to assistive technologies.
- Use sufficient contrast to make things easy to see and hear.
Operable:
- Make all functionality keyboard-accessible.
- Give users enough time to read and use content.
- Do not use content that causes seizures.
- Help users naviga
te and find content.
Understandable:
- Make text readable and understandable.
- Make content appear and operate in predictable ways.
- Help users avoid and correct mistakes.
Robust:
- Maximize compatibility with current and future technologies.
Each individual who reads the twelve guidelines could have a different interpretation of the meanings. Where are the actual measurements for text sizes and the specifications for the color contrast ratio?
There are over three hundred pages of technical documents accompanying the above four topics. The technical section has a techniques list that provides hundreds of common failures that can occur. The entire guidelines are based on suggestions and possibilities to solve web design inaccessibility. Unfortunately, the guidelines are not particularly user-friendly; the techniques list of the Accessibility Guidelines is buried in computer jargon for expert web page designers.
When website accessibility laws come into effect there will be a time frame for compliance. Just like the existing ADA laws there is likely to be some allowances and made as well as grandfathering of some existing issues.
Remember, the point of disability protection laws is to establish access for individuals with disabilities to places of business, without imposing an undue burden on the business.
As an ecommerce business you should definitely review the new Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0. Research and review the accessibility laws in the countries where you ship products.
There is a Web Accessibility Quick Tips section on the World Wide Consortium's website. A key is to be sure your website is designed to be compatible for use with high-tech devices and adaptors that enhance computer functions for disabled individuals. Beyond that, choose adaptations that make sense with your web design and product. Keep in mind also that each accommodation you make is one more way to attract all types of customers.
Many countries abroad have some form of web accessibility law already, though these laws and recommendations vary greatly from one country to the next. You need to review web accessibility laws in the specific locations where you ship your products.
In 2008 the U.S. Target Corporation settled a lawsuit with the National Federation of the Blind. The Federation claimed Target's website was inaccessible to individuals who are disabled. The case resulted in damages being paid but did not set any case precedent. Target did revise their website. Disability advocates will continue to sue web-based businesses that have inaccessible websites to establish an accessibility ruling precedent. Eventually accessibility regulations will become law on the World Wide Web.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has made an attempt at revising web accessibility guidelines. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 is now the official recommendation for web accessibility for the disabled. These new set of guidelines replace the WCAG 1.0 W3C recommendations of 1999.
There are twelve guidelines designed around four fundamental categories:
Perceivable:
- Provide text alternatives for non-text content.
- Provide captions and alternatives for audio and
video content.
- Make content adaptable; and make it available to assistive technologies.
- Use sufficient contrast to make things easy to see and hear.
Operable:
- Make all functionality keyboard-accessible.
- Give users enough time to read and use content.
- Do not use content that causes seizures.
- Help users naviga
Understandable:
- Make text readable and understandable.
- Make content appear and operate in predictable ways.
- Help users avoid and correct mistakes.
Robust:
- Maximize compatibility with current and future technologies.
Each individual who reads the twelve guidelines could have a different interpretation of the meanings. Where are the actual measurements for text sizes and the specifications for the color contrast ratio?
There are over three hundred pages of technical documents accompanying the above four topics. The technical section has a techniques list that provides hundreds of common failures that can occur. The entire guidelines are based on suggestions and possibilities to solve web design inaccessibility. Unfortunately, the guidelines are not particularly user-friendly; the techniques list of the Accessibility Guidelines is buried in computer jargon for expert web page designers.
When website accessibility laws come into effect there will be a time frame for compliance. Just like the existing ADA laws there is likely to be some allowances and made as well as grandfathering of some existing issues.
Remember, the point of disability protection laws is to establish access for individuals with disabilities to places of business, without imposing an undue burden on the business.
As an ecommerce business you should definitely review the new Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0. Research and review the accessibility laws in the countries where you ship products.
There is a Web Accessibility Quick Tips section on the World Wide Consortium's website. A key is to be sure your website is designed to be compatible for use with high-tech devices and adaptors that enhance computer functions for disabled individuals. Beyond that, choose adaptations that make sense with your web design and product. Keep in mind also that each accommodation you make is one more way to attract all types of customers.
Jane Dawson
Source wholesale, wholesalers in UK, dropshippers, dropship and dropshipping suppliers now. Browse wholesale dropshippers by country: Wholesale Italy wholesalers, Wholesale USA & American wholesalers.
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