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Re: Difference Between ADA and WCAG

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From: Jonathan Avila
Date: Dec 26, 2019 9:05AM

Hi James, generally when people are speaking of the ADA conformance of websites they are referring to a functional test -- can a person with a disability access the information and enjoy the benefits and services of that website including information, services and any related physical aspects of a business -- such as store hours, location, contact information, coupons, purchasing products, booking a room, looking up information, etc. As David mentioned -- the ADA does not have specific technical standards for accessibility although the US Department of Justice has said the ADA does apply as written to websites. It has also said that the WCAG standards are not the only method to conform -- there is flexibility -- and that if you don't conform to WCAG it doesn't necessarily mean you don't conform to the ADA.

https://www.adatitleiii.com/2018/10/doj-says-failure-to-comply-with-web-accessibility-guidelines-is-not-necessarily-a-violation-of-the-ada/

Most demand letters, settlements and a limited number of decisions (because most settle out of court) have indicated that the WCAG 2 A and AA criteria need to be followed -- although sometimes the emphasis is on conformance to a specific group of people such as in terms of conformance for the blind or visually impaired.

Jonathan

Jonathan Avila, CPWA
Chief Accessibility Officer
Level Access
<EMAIL REMOVED>
703.637.8957 office
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