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Re: NAD v. Netflix: "This is a bad ruling. Reallyterrible."

for

From: Andrew Kirkpatrick
Date: Jun 29, 2012 8:08AM

As a counterbalance to the ARSTechnica post and others like it: http://blogs.adobe.com/accessibility/2012/06/ruling-on-accessibility-and-the-ada.html

In short, I think it can be said that we disagree...

AWK

-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED> [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Kroon, Kurtis@FTB
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2012 1:07 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] NAD v. Netflix: "This is a bad ruling. Reallyterrible."

-----Original Message-----
From: John E Brandt [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 14:06
To: 'WebAIM Discussion List'
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] NAD v. Netflix: "This is a bad ruling.
Reallyterrible."

<snip>

"Update: Although I believe the statute and case law make it clear that ADA does not apply to websites, I also believe that responsible websites should voluntarily undertake extra efforts to accommodate users with disabilities.
In many cases, doing so will actually increase profits by expanding the userbase; and even where it isn't, it's a good business decision both as a matter of corporate ethics and for providing extra utility to all users."

Not exactly sure what that means...


[KK] Here's how I would paraphrase it:

*I* don't think the ADA applies to websites, but that doesn't matter.
We should make our websites accessible because:

* Customers with disabilities do have money. If our site is more accessible than our competitors', they are more likely to spend their money *with us*.
* It even helps customers who don't have disabilities.
* It's the right thing to do.

<end paraphrase>

Regards,

Kurtis
California Franchise Tax Board

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