WCAG 2.0 AA Compliance (ADA Compliance)

[dvsDave]

In light of the relatively recent ruling of Gil v. Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., Case No. 1:16-cv-23020 (S.D. Fla.) found that Winn-Dixie was in violation of the ADA by not having their site conform to WCAG 2.0 AA Compliance Standards. This is the first time that a company has been found in violation for their website in a Federal Court.

Regardless of what type of organization you are, this decision has serious implications that affect your forum. Many organizations have argued that they are not held to any web accessibility compliance by laws like the ADA, and yet have been sued and hit with major legal costs. This ruling offers federal precedence that will inevitably help push legislation to incorporate WCAG 2.0 standards as the benchmark. It might be wise to begin planning out your accessibility governance strategy now, rather than face the possibility of a suit later.

XenForo 2.0 baseline isn't bad, there are some form issues and a TON of duplicate links and titles, but altogether, not too shabby. (at least on the forum list page, haven't delved into content pages yet)

Any thoughts on this? Is this a priority for you?

 

[MikeMpls]

Wow! Obviously not a priority.

The lack of an answer is scary. There were approx. 2500 web accessibility lawsuits file in 2018, and the number is expected to triple this year (2019).

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guide) 2.0 has been available from W3C since 2008. WCAG 2.1 has been available since June 5, 2018.

From here (my emphasis added):

• The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the most accepted accessibility standards and continue to be identified by name in accessibility lawsuits. In this case, it's stated that WCAG 2.1 "guidelines are universally followed by most large business entities and government agencies to ensure their websites are accessible. Many Courts have also established WCAG 2.1 as the standard guideline for accessibility."
• Websites are places of public accommodation and are expected to provide people with disabilities the same access to goods and services as people without disabilities can enjoy.
• Accessibility isn't only required for government agencies, despite a common misconception. As this lawsuit and others like it show, the ADA has been interpreted as applying to the websites of private businesses. Read: Common Web Accessibility Myths.

If Xenforo sites start getting hit with Web accessibility suits, I will have no choice but to shut down. Even if the court determines that web accessibility doesn't apply, it could cost $15K or more to make your point.https://www.boia.org/blog/beyonces-website-the-focus-of-an-accessibility-lawsuit

 

[Brent W]

Wow! Obviously not a priority.

The lack of an answer is scary. There were approx. 2500 web accessibility lawsuits file in 2018, and the number is expected to triple this year (2019).

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guide) 2.0 has been available from W3C since 2008. WCAG 2.1 has been available since June 5, 2018.

From here(my emphasis added):


If Xenforo sites start getting hit with Web accessibility suits, I will have no choice but to shut down. Even if the court determines that web accessibility doesn't apply, it could cost $15K or more to make your point.https://www.boia.org/blog/beyonces-website-the-focus-of-an-accessibility-lawsuit

Bump

 

[Brent W]

Bump. I know of one XF owner who has been served through proper legal channels over this.

 

[ProCom]

I'm not sure if I should have posted in this thread or another with a similar concern topic. That said, it seems pretty serious, and the legal costs for violations could be enough to bring most sites down.

I posted my thoughts / concerns on this thread: https://xenforo.com/community/threads/ada-compliance-images-need-alt-tags.183775/post-1485453

 

[Sportsoutlaw]

Websites Not Bound by ADA Accessibility Rules, 11th Circuit Finds

The ruling vacates a federal judge’s decision that the Winn-Dixie supermarket chain’s website violated the Americans With Disabilities Act by being inaccessible to visually impaired people who use screen-reader software.

www.courthousenews.com