Does the ADA Apply to the Internet?
A recent court ruling in the case Domino’s Pizza LLC v. Robles states that 
Domino’s and other companies must make online services accessible. The case has businesses wondering about their own online platforms. If they aren’t “sufficiently accessible,” will they be sued, too?
Domino’s and other companies must make online services accessible. The case has businesses wondering about their own online platforms. If they aren’t “sufficiently accessible,” will they be sued, too?This case raised many important questions about how the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) applies to the modern world of websites, e-commerce, and mobile apps. Because the Supreme Court declined to hear it, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling still stands. However, there is no federal guidance on what is considered “sufficiently accessible.”
The result? With no adequate guidance, small businesses are just as vulnerable as the pizza giant to lawsuits. The best course of action is to make all of your digital platforms more accessible. This not only avoids litigation but also makes good business sense.
Why your business is vulnerable
Unfortunately, there’s a good chance of being sued, and you don’t have to be a large corporation to be a target. In the wake of Domino’s Pizza LLC v. Robles, businesses that sell products through a website or app and also maintain a brick-and-mortar location are at particular risk. The predicted spate of ADA litigation is so bad, legal experts are warning about the “new ambulance chasers.”
Why accessibility makes good business sense
In the U.S., 18% of people have a disability. This includes 200 million living with moderate to severe vision impairment. Yet, the overwhelming majority of customers with disabilities cannot interact with today’s websites:
- 73% experience barriers on more than a quarter of websites they visit for the first time
- 72% say they are forced to abandon a website and a potential purchase if it’s difficult to navigate
- 86% say they found websites and apps difficult to navigate even with assistive software
When online platforms are more accessible, ALL of your customers will benefit and so will your company.
How Ideal Solutions helps businesses like yours
Often, the fixes are straightforward, but sometimes, they require the skills of a technical expert who has experience in accessible web design. Ideal Solutions can help with both.
Our team is highly skilled in web development, usability testing, and social media integration. And we come highly recommended by companies that serve people with disabilities.
“Ideal Solutions is one of the best firms I have worked with over my years in business. … As the CEO of a company that focuses on the employment of people with disabilities, I am so impressed with their understanding of the disability community. They understand inclusion, digital accessibility, and the barriers people with disabilities encounter. They get it. I would endorse them to any company. They are indeed, the ideal solution.” –Joyce Bender, CEO, Bender Consulting Services.
Ready to get started? Contact us today for more information. If you have questions, we are here for you. Send us an email and we will help you navigate digital accessibility.
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