DOJ Information on ADA Website Accessibility
Good morning!
On Friday, March 18, 2022, the Department of Justice published information (click here) on web accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The DOJ does not provide a regulation setting out detailed standards, but has a new webpage with information about how state and local governments (entities covered by ADA Title II) and businesses open to the public (entities covered by ADA Title III) can use existing standards to make their websites accessible to people with disabilities in line with the ADA’s requirements. In the absence of a formal regulation, businesses will have flexibility in how they comply with the ADA’s general requirements of nondiscrimination and effective communication, but they must comply with the ADA’s requirements.
NAR continues to recommend that real estate professionals work with their website vendors to conduct accessibility audits of their business websites to identify and address accessibility deficiencies. Existing technical standards provide helpful guidance concerning how to ensure accessibility of website features. These include the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and the Section 508 Standards, which the federal government uses for its own websites. In the meantime, NAR will continue to advocate that the DOJ issues a regulation that provides clear standards that take into consideration the challenges for businesses that develop and maintain accessible websites.
NAR has two Windows to the Law videos that give a brief overview of the issue:
https://www.nar.realtor/window-to-the-law/window-to-the-law-accessible-websites-and-the-ada
https://www.nar.realtor/window-to-the-law/ada-and-website-accessibility-update
Lesley Muchow – NAR Legal Department Attorney
Posted by: Byron King on 03/21/22 (This information is only accurate as of 03/21/22. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information after 03/21/22 as laws and regulations may change over time. SCR 803-772-5206 or email info at screaltors.org or email byron at screaltors.org)
This information is not legal advice. This information is intended only to provide general information and may not be relied upon as specific legal guidance. Legal counsel should always be consulted before acting in reliance on this information.