Introduction to Website Accessibility
Understand how people with disabilities use the web, the frustrations they feel when they cannot access the web, and what you can do to make your sites more accessible.
WAI develops guidelines widely regarded as the international standard for Web accessibility, support materials to help understand and implement Web accessibility and resources, through international collaboration.
Disability Simulations
Understand how people with different types of disabilities use the web and the frustrations they feel when they cannot access websites due to their inaccessibility.
Accessibility Standards
This section includes resources that define reasonable standards for web accessibility such as the WCAG 2.0 guidelines. Guidelines such as these can be used to ensure that a business or government agency has an accessible presence on the Internet.
A guide to understanding and implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0.
WebAIM’s WCAG 2.0 Checklist for HTML documents
A checklist that presents WebAIM’s recommendations for implementing HTML-related principles and techniques for those seeking WCAG 2.0 conformance.
A customizable quick reference to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 requirements (success criteria) and techniques.
The Accessible Rich Internet Applications Suite defines a way to make web content and web applications more accessible to people with disabilities.
This page provides several practical examples, which demonstrate proper usage of ARIA. Accessible Rich Internet Applications, also known as ARIA, provides a means of implementing accessibility features for HTML elements, which do not normally have them. ARIA is often used by web developers to provide dynamic content updates to users of screen readers and other assistive technologies. It can also be used to implement accessibility for non-HTML controls, such as sliders.
Section 508 requires that all website content be equally accessible to people with disabilities. This applies to web applications, web pages and all attached files. It applies to intranet as well as public-facing web pages.
Information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards for the built environment, transportation, communication, medical diagnostic equipment, and information technology.
A Guide to Disability Rights and Laws
U.S. Department of Justice Section 508 page
ACCESS 8878 is a resource that supports the new British Standard BS 8878. BS 8878 Web Accessibility Code of Practice supports developers in producing web products that are accessible to a range of users.
Index of Government Guidelines for Web Sites- Standards Schmandards
This is a collection of links to guidelines regulating government web sites in various countries. These guidelines mainly deal with web accessibility and technical standards.
Accessibility Laws
Laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities to access digital services and content on the Internet make digital accessibility a reality.
What is section 504 and how does it relate to Section 508?
Telecommunications access for people with disabilities.
The Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010
An act intended to increase the accessibility of video and other communications devices.
New DOT Rules Make Flying Easier for Passengers with Disabilities
In 2013, the United States Department of Transportation issued a ruling, which requires airlines to make their websites accessible to people living with disabilities.
State of Minnesota Statute on Visual Technology
Minnesota Department of Administration’s information regarding Minnesota’s Visual Technology Law
Accessibility World Laws
- Australia
- Canada
- Denmark
- European Union
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- India
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Portugal
- Spain
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
Accessibility Litigation
This section gives the legal grounds that consumers have to litigate against businesses that don’t make their sites accessible.
- Digital Accessibility: 2013 CSUN Legal Update (Web, Mobile, More!) An overview of the U.S. digital accessibility legal landscape can be found in the presentation.
- Netflix Landmark precedent in NAD vs. Netflix, June 2012.
- Google Book litigation Pending litigation on the accessibility of digital books involving copyright issues could change the landscape for readers with print disabilities around the world.
- Target Corporation Description of the case and settlement with NFB in August 2008.
- Talking ATM Category Extensive information about the accessibility of ATMs, including press releases, settlement agreements, history and international installations of this type of accessible digital technology.
- Accessible Technology For All
This page contains links to laws and policies regarding web accessibility across the globe. It is not a comprehensive list for ALL applicable laws and policies regarding Web accessibility. Also, the links contained on this page are not to be assumed as legal advice.
