In the digital age, your website is your storefront, your sales rep, and your brand’s first impression. But if that website isn’t accessible to people with disabilities, you’re not just losing potential customers... you might also be violating the law.
Accessibility Is a Legal Requirement
Many business owners don’t realize that websites fall under ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance, and hundreds of companies (large and small) are sued every year for having inaccessible websites. A quick Google search for these terms "website sued blind" will display thousands of results, with articles titled: A Rise in ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuits May Leave You Asking: Is My Website A Risk?
If you search Facebook for the same terms, you'll see lots of people complaining about the lawsuits they've found themselves in.
$50,000. Yikes!
The typical lawsuit ranges are as follows:
- $5,000 - $25,000 for small businesses
- $20,000 - $50,000+ for medium-sized companies
Enterprises can exceed $100,000+.
Accessibility Expands Your Audience
Roughly 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. lives with a disability. That’s a massive portion of your potential marketplace. Accessibility helps users who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, and/or have cognitive disabilities. When your site is accessible, you’re not just helping people with permanent disabilities, you're improving the experience for everyone!
Accessibility Is an Investment, Not a Chore
In short, it reduces legal risk, improves SEO, expands your audience, boosts conversions, and makes your brand stronger. If you want to avoid lawsuits and grow your business, making your website accessible should be at the top of your priority list. If you're unsure if your website is accessible, you can run it through various compliance tools, such as Google's insights tool.
If you're looking for someone to protect you from potential lawsuits, reach out to us here at OptimumBits.
