# Urgent: A Need for Accessibility

- Link: https://ip.ipdev2.cloud/urgent-a-need-for-accessibility/
- Published: 2021-08-31T12:17:00+00:00
- Author: neilharner

Meeting the needs of people with disabilities and impairments in how you present
your website is becoming increasingly important. In the last few years, there has
been a growing precedent for websites to adhere to the [Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)](https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/)
and reach a level of AA conformance.

This is a complicated issue as there are legal implications and increasing liability
in having a website that does not conform. Without unpacking the complexity of this,
it’s important to know and understand that the Americans with Disabilities Act (
ADA) does have clauses related to websites.

**The urgency is that there are a number of lawyers profiteering off of the growing
demand for this conformance by threatening lawsuits seeking quick settlements or
actually proceeding with legal filings and serving businesses. This becomes extremely
costly and damaging.**

**Although it is our belief that every business should invest in an inclusive website
experience, we do not agree with these attacks on businesses under the guise of 
advocacy.**

**Nonetheless, we have seen our clients and many others being threatened or sued
and in many cases by the same law firm. No business is too small and no industry
is off limits. It does not matter if you are reaching out to retail customers or
offering professional services. We do not like to sell services on the basis of 
threat but we certainly have a responsibility to warn you. ****This is escalating.**

Unfortunately, reaching this standard is not an easy task or a “standard,” especially
for established or aging websites. Producing an accessible website is generally 
best accomplished from the start of a new website project so that it can be a factor
during the entire production process. Accessibility has an impact on the design,
development and content strategy behind a website. Most significantly, there is 
a rigorous testing process to assure optimal conformance.

Although producing a new website should have this consideration, its certainly understandable
that this is not an option for many at this time. Yet, there is a sense of urgency
to start addressing this requirement in an existing website. The following are steps
recommended to reach conformance, aside from creating a new website:

## 1) The easy win: Purchase and install UserWay

Inverse Paradox has partnered with UserWay to offer their automated ADA & WCAG compliance
solution on websites. This tool starts at $490/annual and resolves a few of the 
immediate issues found on a website. In addition, according to research performed
by UserWay, visibility of their tool on websites has deterred these legal threats
and has directly attributed to quick resolution of existing cases. This is a starting
point but certainly not a magic wand that resolves all issues.

To sign up for UserWay visit [https://www.uwtracks.com/7PT597T/GTSC3/](https://www.uwtracks.com/7PT597T/GTSC3/).

Additionally, for existing clients, Inverse Paradox can perform the installation
and assist you in the setup of an Accessibility policy page by submitted a request
to [support@inverseparadox.net](https://ip.ipdev2.cloud/urgent-a-need-for-accessibility/support@inverseparadox.net).

## 2) Perform a Site Audit

Since no two websites are alike and the size, age, and complexity of a website can
vary, an investment into a comprehensive audit of a website should be made. This
audit includes:

 * Review of website for WCAG 2.2 AA standards
    - Performed using 3 automated testing tools
    - A manual review of the website using screen readers by trained and specialized
      developer
    - User testing with a blind user (optional)
 * Report of findings delivered in PDF format which includes both outlined issues
   and recommend design, development and content changes.
 * Recommendations for remediation strategy.
 * Hour-long presentation & meeting to discuss and review findings.
 * Training session for ADA-compliant website management practices if poor site 
   management practices are identified.

The audit will also present cost estimates for Inverse Paradox to provide remediation
of any identified deficiencies.

Site audits start at $2000 and take as little as 2-weeks to complete.

## 3) Remediation

Following the site audit, with approval of a remediation plan and cost estimate,
Inverse Paradox will address all of the identified deficiencies to assure the website
adheres to WCAG 2.2 AA conformance standards. 

Following completion of the activities, the website will be thoroughly reviewed 
and tested, repeating many of the steps in the audit to assure optimal conformance.

Although Inverse Paradox seeks to deliver the best possible experience to all users
of your website, because disabilities and impairments are human conditions, there
is no such thing as a guarantee or 100%. The objective is to deliver the optimal
experience to the largest number of users and make a commitment to continuously 
improve as understanding, technology, and capabilities advance.

## 4) Routine Audits 

Even if your website has been designed and developed to conform to WCAG 2.2 AA standards
or you go through this process, we strongly recommend re-auditing the website at
least once per year. Costs of auditing and then remediating any newly identified
issues annually after establishing a strong foundation for accessibility will be
cheaper with routine activity.

**To learn more about accessibility or these options, [contact ](https://ip.ipdev2.cloud/our-story/contact/)****
[us](https://ip.ipdev2.cloud/our-story/contact/)****.**

_If you happen to be in the unfortunate position that a claim is being made against
you, starting this process immediately can help aid in reducing the impact of the
claim or deter escalation. Inverse Paradox can not offer legal advice and any practices
and policies should be reviewed by an attorney. Should you need an attorney with
knowledge and experience with these issues, we would be happy to refer you to an
attorney we’ve worked with._