More than ever before, the internet has become the standard way of accessing information, performing required tasks, and participating in society in general. While many find this quick and convenient, it can be a struggle for those with disabilities. Thankfully, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently outlined regulations to ensure that everyone can use and navigate government websites effectively.
Here are answers to some important questions you may have about these new guidelines:
Who will this help?
The new regulations, which go into effect June 24, 2024, are set up to accommodate a variety of disabilities. From visual and hearing impairments to motor, cognitive, and neurological disabilities, the goal is for all government websites and online services to be accessible to everyone. Although there’s no way to make a “perfect” website, these standards will make navigating government sites easier.
The DOJ’s accessibility guidelines apply to any state and local government website, including city councils, public and community services, public schools, public colleges and universities, utilities, judicial and law enforcement online services, and more.
In conjunction with the DOJ regulations, the Department of Health and Human Services is expected to release similar regulations to ensure public health departments, hospitals, clinics, social services, and welfare programs have equally accessible websites.
The ADA has promised equal participation in society, and the new accessibility guidelines are an exciting step toward fulfilling that promise. The government has recognized that the ADA’s role needs to evolve with society and has now established the expectation that important electronic content is accessible to all.
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The solution simplifies the way companies and site owners can make their content accessible to users with disabilities by using AI to automatically apply accessibility standards to their websites.
The AI also re-scans for new and revised content daily which benefits sites that feature dynamic or fast-changing content.
After two years of development, accessiBe was eventually launched in 2018 in Israel where it went through successful pilot efforts.
Among its clients are the Israeli licensees of leading brands like Burger King, Volvo, Deloitte, HStern, and others.
First of a kind solution for a growing need
A 2016 Pew Research identified that disabled users are also less likely to access the internet daily compared (50 percent) to those without disabilities (79 percent).
