Compliance With Accessibility Laws: Ensuring Your Website is Inclusive

If you have a website, ensuring its accessibility to everyone is not just a matter of legal compliance – it’s also a crucial step towards reaching a broader audience. 

Different laws and regulations set the standards for making websites usable for people with disabilities, and not following them can lead to serious consequences, including lawsuits, fines, and a tarnished brand reputation. 

On the flip side, making your website accessible opens up your content to millions more potential users, improving the user experience and your brand’s image.

However, since these laws differ from country to country, it can be difficult to navigate around them and ensure that you are fully compliant. In this article, we’ll discuss the different standards and show you what you need to do to meet them, helping you create an inclusive online environment that welcomes all users.

⚠️Disclaimer: The A11y Collective are not legal experts, so this article shouldn’t be considered legal advice – we always advise consulting with a legal advisor and reading the legislation relevant to your site or business in detail.

The first thing you need to know is that web accessibility laws are specific to your business’s location. In this guide, we’ll discuss the regulations in the United States, Canada, the European Union (EU), and Australia, but we advise you to read the laws in full detail. This is especially important for EU members because some laws might be country-specific, as well as countries that are covered by any of these regulations. 

Still, the majority of these laws are based on the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), which is what we’ll cover first. 

These guidelines are the international standard for web accessibility and are designed to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities, covering a wide range of recommendations that ensure access and usability. 

At the heart of WCAG lie four foundational principles, encapsulated by the acronym POUR:

There are also three levels of conformance: 

For example, Level A might require captions for videos, Level AA would require audio descriptions, and Level AAA would ensure sign language interpretation is also included. 

Although WCAG is a series of guidelines and not legislation, it is the foundation upon which many legal accessibility requirements are built, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. 

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a civil rights law that aims to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities in significant areas of public life, including digital accessibility. While the ADA does not set explicit web standards, the Department of Justice references the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines as a benchmark for creating accessible digital content. 

Despite common misconceptions, not all websites are bound to ADA regulations, and certain exemptions may apply based on business size and sector. Businesses that provide employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications services are obligated to comply. 

Still, any digital platform should adhere to accessibility standards to enhance user experience and accessibility for a wider audience. 

Non-compliance carries financial risks, with initial violation fines ranging from $55,000 to $75,000, escalating to as much as $150,000 for further violations. 

The best way to check whether your website is ADA-compliant is to assess it, and you can easily do that by following The A11y Collective’s practical checklist on ADA compliance. 

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act was introduced in 1998 and mandates that U.S. federal agencies ensure their Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) is accessible to people with disabilities, both for the public and their employees. EIT can include public-facing websites and apps, internal documents, emails, telephones, call centers, and electronic training resources. 

While these guidelines outline specific accessibility standards, they are modeled on the WCAG POUR principles, particularly the A and AA levels of conformance.

Non-compliance with Section 508 can result in financial penalties, but there are also operational, reputational, and legal repercussions. In the past, legal action has been taken against federal departments that failed to ensure their websites were accessible.

Tip: For an in-depth perspective on what these directives mean in practice and the steps organizations should follow to ensure compliance, visit The A11y Collective’s guide on the European Accessibility Act (EAA).

In Canada, the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) governs federal organizations, enforcing accessibility standards that span digital technology to transportation. The ACA takes inspiration from the WCAG but still has its own guidelines called the Accessible Canada Regulations. Fines for not complying can escalate to a maximum of CAD 250,000. 

There are also province-specific regulations: 

Ensuring your website meets accessibility standards can seem daunting, but don’t worry – tools and support systems are here to ease the process. Accessibility testing tools, such as WebAIM’s WAVE and the W3C Validator, offer invaluable assistance in identifying areas where your site may fall short of compliance requirements. 

Included in the WebAIM WAVE toolset are: 

The W3C Validator tools include: 

It’s important to note that you shouldn’t rely solely on automated tools when testing the accessibility of your website – manual testing is by far the most effective way to ensure your website is accessible for users of all abilities. It’s also key to remember that web accessibility standards are always evolving and changing, so keeping on top of developments and conducting regular tests is crucial.

The best way to stay ahead of evolving standards is to invest in high-quality web accessibility training. If you know the ins and outs of accessibility guidelines from the start, you can easily avoid future redesign costs and legal headaches. 

The A11y Collective offers website owners and developers a suite of courses designed to enhance web accessibility knowledge and give you the skills to implement these crucial standards effectively. Let us help you navigate the complexities of accessibility laws and guidelines, making your site welcoming to all users.

Ensuring your website meets accessibility standards is crucial, not only for legal reasons but also because everyone should strive to create a more inclusive online space that offers a better experience for all visitors. 

Remember, the specific laws and standards you need to comply with vary depending on where you are, so it’s essential to be well-informed about the legislation relevant to your location. Aiming for conformance with the WCAG level A and AA standards is an excellent starting point for making your site more accessible.

As you work towards making your website accessible, remember that learning and adapting are ongoing processes. The A11y Collective’s comprehensive courses are here to support you in this journey, providing the knowledge you need to navigate the complexities of web accessibility confidently.

Take the next step towards creating an accessible, legally compliant website. Explore The A11y Collective’s suite of courses today, and join us in making the internet a welcoming place for everyone!