WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: seeking info: ADA vs wcag 1.0/2.0

for

From: Moore, Michael
Date: Feb 27, 2008 8:10AM

Shrirang,

1. Is ADA document finer than wcag1.0 document?

The Americans with Disabilities Act does not specifically address Web
Accessibility issues. However, several lawsuits, including the current
suit against Target, have argued that the concept of equivalent access,
which is embodied in the ADA, should be applied to the WEB. Final legal
interpretation is still out. So in answer to your question the ADA is
not "finer" than WCAG 1.0, however it may turn out to impose a higher
"standard" for accessibility than WCAG or 508, if the courts rule that
the web is a place of public accommodation. If this occurs, then in my
opinion, web developers will need to design their sites and applications
in such a way that people with disabilities have full access to all of
the functionality and information on the site. A very good comparison of
508 and WCAG 1.0 is available on Jim Thatcher's site
http://www.jimthatcher.com/sidebyside.htm

2. Is section 508 is a more comprehensive list of accessibility
guidelines than those in ADA?

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, spherically addresses
accessibility on the Web in 1194.22, and in our opinion at the state
agency where I work, 1194.31 Function Performance Criteria also applies
to web applications and sites. These criteria are certainly more
specific than any criteria that could be interpreted from the ADA.
Although I am not a lawyer, I would expect that compliance with section
508 would at a minimum demonstrate a good faith effort in providing
equivalent access, and thus complying with any web accessibility
requirement that "may" be required by the ADA.

3. What is the relation between ADA and section 508?

They are each Civil Rights legislation passed by the US Congress
intended to address the rights of people with disabilities and provide
them with opportunities to fully participate in American society.

Mike Moore