Accessibility 101
The website for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has been updated to include the rights of disabled individuals to have equal digital access. All people rely on the web for some kind of information. So what types of issues does the ADA address?
- Some websites are set up in ways that make it difficult for people with disabilities to access information.
- Barriers make access to online products and services unfair.
- Ensure that public information, state and local, is accessible to all.
The ADA was originally created to break down barriers and make sure that people with disabilities can fully take part in society and have the same opportunities as everyone else. Back in the 1990s, this mostly meant getting rid of physical obstacles, like making sure public places, transportation, and services were accessible. Today, the conversation is shifting to focus on digital accessibility, making sure that websites and online tools are also accessible to everyone.
Update: Title II of the American with Disabilities Act issued a ruling that states educational institutions including early childhood through post-secondary provide digitally accessible materials to those with disabilities.
