MAKING YOUR WEBSITE MEET FEDERAL LAW AND INTERNET GUIDELINES - DOES THIS APPLY TO YOUR WEBSITE?

Website Accessibility Services

Any business offering products or services via the internet is often required to meet federal laws and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines regulations. Ensuring a website is cost-effective and user-friendly is of the utmost importance, however guaranteeing your site meets legal guidelines is of equal importance. Laws require websites to be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. PS WebSite Design offers expert evaluations for this very reason.  Our services ensure that your site meets these critical guidelines and is accessible to everyone.

Laws state that all internet domains be available to all users, regardless of his or her abilities. To guarantee a site is available to everyone, the internet domain is designed according to current principles and laws. The specific website's content must contain understandable text, be easy to navigate, and available to anyone with a handicap who relies on special devices or technologies.

Why Must My Website Be Available to Everyone?

Any internet company who does business with a government agency or department makes a legal promise regarding that business's internet domain.  All products and services sold or offered on an internet site must comply with the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  These laws require websites to be available to those with handicaps of any nature.  If you fail to comply, you could lose business and decrease incomes.  In some cases, your business could fail completely.  To meet these laws, your site must be visible on the device they rely on for assistance.

According to a 2002 report by the United States Agency on Aging, almost 45% of all U.S. residents between the ages of 65 and 69 have a handicap.  The percentage increases to around 74% by the age of 80. Millions of disabled computer users rely on internet domains that can meet their needs. If your site fails to make these services or products easily viewed by this portion of the population, you are losing valuable business. You may also be setting yourself up for time and money consuming discrimination proceedings.

By hiring our experienced consultants, you have the guarantee that we will identify troublesome areas and get your site fully compliant with federal laws. We will also go through your website and point out enhancements needed to meet web content guidelines. Your site will be accessible to thousands of new potential clients. This means more traffic and revenue in the end.

When designing your internet domain, you may not think about making your site available to those relying on-screen readers, palm pilots, cell phones, and other compatible technologies. If you utilize graphics, you probably do not stop to think about those using slow (dial-up) connections. If your internet domain is not available to these people, you are missing potential clientele. Typically, internet users find it difficult to use websites without:

  • Tab or other navigational links to improve routing throughout the internet domain
  • Tables with summaries that are easily indexed by search engines
  • Text menus for those with low-bandwidth
  • Large fonts that can be viewed by those with vision problems
  • Easy-to-follow layouts that work well with different mediums

Remember that if your internet domain is not compatible with some tools used by disabled people, you may be opening yourself up to troublesome discrimination lawsuits.

How Our Examination Services Can Help

Our team of specialists can create an easy-to-use internet domain that is available to everyone regardless of his or her handicap. We will make sure your website meets all the current laws and regulations. By meeting the Section 508 standards, your internet domain will gain traffic, income, and positive feedback from happy customers. Other benefits include:

  • Better navigation throughout the website
  • Clearer, easily understood page content
  • Computer devices used by the disabled will work with your website
  • Displays a thoughtful, positive company image
  • Increases search engine rankings
  • Lessens fees
  • Prevention or reduction of lawsuits and related legal fees
  • Product or service reaches a larger market throughout the world
  • Quicker page loading speeds
  • Revenues and profit increase

Trust in us to keep your internet business prospering. We promise to make your site meet current legalities while boosting traffic. It is a win-win situation.

Resources

United States Department of Health and Human Services, Agency on Aging.

PS WebSite Design are here to help! If you would like additional information about our Website Accessibility Analysis Services, please email us.