Arizona businesses must make their websites accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The state has specific rules to enforce website accessibility, and there are penalties for not complying. This article explains Arizona’s website ADA rules and provides advice on how to create accessible websites.
ADA Compliance in Arizona – What Does It Mean?
Arizona businesses breaking ADA laws can face hefty penalties. The first offense could cost up to $75,000, and subsequent violations might result in $150,000 fines each.
- Title I: Employment
- Title II: Public Services
- Title III: Public Accommodations
- Title IV: Telecommunications
- Title V: Miscellaneous
What are the Requirements of an ADA-Compliant Website in Arizona?
1. Government Oversight
The Arizona Government Information Technology Agency is responsible for overseeing website ADA compliance within the state. This agency establishes accessibility standards that all Arizona state websites must follow. These standards aim to remove digital barriers for people with disabilities.
2. Required Features
- Providing alternatives for multimedia
- Ensuring keyboard navigation
- Offering clear text for scripts
- Using appropriate labels for forms
- Making graphics accessible
- Allowing content movement on static backgrounds
- Creating accessible PDFs and other downloadable files.
3. Limitations and Scope
ADA Compliance Lawsuits
Arizona has seen a rise in lawsuits related to website accessibility. One notable case involves James Close, a visually impaired individual who sued multiple Arizona businesses. Close argued that these websites violated both federal and state disability laws by being inaccessible to screen reader users. He sought changes to align the websites with specific accessibility standards and temporary closures until compliance was achieved.
How Do I Know My Business Must Comply With the ADA or WCAG Guidelines?
- Government websites: All state and local government websites, as well as those funded by them, must be accessible to people with disabilities.
- Business websites: Any business open to the public needs to ensure equal access to its website for all users, including those with disabilities.
What You Should Do to Make Your Website Accessible If You Operate In Arizona?
1. Proactive Compliance
2. Adhere to Arizona Regulations
3. Utilize Official Guidelines
The Arizona Government has issued a detailed accessibility model outlining the essential elements required for ADA compliance. Carefully review and implement these guidelines to create an accessible website.
4. Enhance Website Accessibility
- Clear and concise language: Use plain and simple language throughout your website’s content.
- Captioning: Provide clear captions for all audio and video content to benefit users with hearing impairments.
- Navigational clarity: Organize website content in a logical and easy-to-follow manner.
- Descriptive alternative text: Offer detailed alternative text for images to assist visually impaired users.
- Color contrast: Ensure sufficient color contrast for readability, accommodating users with visual disabilities.
5. Leverage Third-Party Solutions
Explore reputable third-party accessibility services like Continual Engine to streamline the compliance process. These professionals can help identify and address accessibility issues efficiently.
