Table of Contents
The Sniff Test: What’s Going On?
A Channel 2 Action News investigation, spearheaded by consumer investigator Justin Gray, has shed light on a massive surge of lawsuits targeting businesses both in metro Atlanta and nationwide. These legal actions allege that company websites violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal law designed to protect people with disabilities.
However, many targeted small business owners argue that the litigation is driven by financial gain rather than a genuine desire to improve accessibility. It’s a classic case of the tail wagging the dog.
Why This Matters for Your Pack
This news story inspired the whole campaign we’re doing here at Mercury Media. We’ve seen too many good businesses get bitten by these predatory lawsuits. It’s not just about avoiding a legal bite; it’s about making sure your digital storefront is welcoming to everyone, regardless of their abilities.
When your website isn’t ADA compliant, you’re essentially putting up a “Keep Out” sign for a significant portion of the population. And in today’s digital age, that’s just bad business.
How to Protect Your Territory
So, how do you keep the legal hounds at bay? Here are a few tricks we teach our clients:
- Get a Professional Audit: Don’t rely on automated tools alone. Have a human expert (like our lead dogs) sniff out any potential accessibility issues.
- Implement Remediation: Once you know where the gaps are, fix them. This might involve adding alt text to images, ensuring proper color contrast, or making your site navigable by keyboard.
- Ongoing Monitoring: ADA compliance isn’t a one-and-done deal. As your website evolves, so should your accessibility efforts. Keep a guard dog on duty to monitor for any new issues.
Don’t wait until you get a demand letter to start taking ADA compliance seriously. Be proactive, protect your territory, and ensure your website is a welcoming place for all.
Need help getting your site up to snuff? Request a free Sniff Test today!