[sweerie_banana]

Why is it important for websites to be accessible to users with disabilities? What steps can webmasters take to ensure their websites comply with accessibility standards and guidelines?

[Fergal]

Are you asking this in general sweerie_banana or do you have a specific site in mind?

[Mika]

I believe people with disability should also be able to access websites, but I don't know how one can make a website accessible to some who cannot see. I don't think this is even possible.

[Kalayla]

I really can't imagine what a site owner can do to help a person that is blind to access the site. Is it even possible?

[Fergal]

I really can't imagine what a site owner can do to help a person that is blind to access the site. Is it even possible?

There screen readers available which read the text of web pages aloud, to enable visually impaired people to listen to what is on the web page. You can read more about screen readers here on Wikipedia.

[OldGuy]

The Americans With Disabilities Act was officially enacted in 1990. It is most likely the strongest force in the world to enforce changes to accommodate those with any disability or handicap.

Everything that is offered to the public is required to make adjustments to accommodate all kinds of disabilities. It is not just for the blind or just those confined to a wheelchair.

I subscribed to the email list with the US Department of Justice to receive all notices about actions taken with the ADA back in 2013 because it involved my work at the time. I still receive those updates several times each week.

If it involves any company or any government entity in the US, the non compliance issue may result in heavy fines and orders to make changes within a set period. There are often even financial payments to the person with disabilities who was unable to use the facility due to some physical or policy involved. Those who run the facility may even be court ordered to attend ADA classes to learn what is required.

When it comes to websites, again, if an American site, it can face substantial fines until they make specific upgrades and the site itself may be blocked from being displayed online until those changes are made. If the site is not controlled by US law, the site is blocked from any display in the US until those changes are made and approved.

The ADA does not just randomly investigate violations. They offer a simple form for those with disabilities to file a complaint, and that filed complaint is what triggers an ADA investigation. If no one complains, no one comes looking. Even so, I have read hundreds of ADA reports on such complaints and the end results of huge fines and penalties involved. I have also learned there are people with disabilities who make their living by seeking out violations to complain about.

The most recent notice I received was specifically about website design and site requirements to accommodate those with disabilities. If your site is American based, it must comply or you may end up facing fines you can't afford. If you want your foreign site to be displayed in the US, it must comply or be banned from display in the US. Again, this will only happen if someone in the US with a disability files a complaint.

An important point to recognize:
This final rule clarifies the obligations of state and local governments to make their websites and mobile applications accessible. These rules do not necessarily apply to your personal site at all.

Here is the detailed report:
Justice Department to Publish Final Rule to Strengthen Web and Mobile App Access for People with Disabilities
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice- ... ess-people

[sweerie_banana]

I really can't imagine what a site owner can do to help a person that is blind to access the site. Is it even possible?

One can ensure that the website is compatible with screen reader software, which reads aloud the content of the website to the user.
Providing options for text-to-speech functionality can further enhance accessibility for users who are blind.

[Fergal]

If your site is American based, it must comply or you may end up facing fines you can't afford. If you want your foreign site to be displayed in the US, it must comply or be banned from display in the US.

This final rule clarifies the obligations of state and local governments to make their websites and mobile applications accessible. These rules do not necessarily apply to your personal site at all.

Thanks for the detailed explanation OldGuy. Sorry but I am a little confused. Do the regulations apply to all sites or just to government related sites?

[Tendz]

Providing options for text-to-speech functionality can further enhance accessibility for users who are blind.

Offering options for text-to-speech tools can really enhance the browsing experience for blind users. Also, using clear color contrasts and text sizes can aid people with color blindness or other vision problem in navigating and reading content more easily.