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RE: are accessibility audits mandetory in any nation?

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From: John E. Brandt
Date: Sep 4, 2006 7:00AM

In the United States, Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act only
currently applies to US federal government websites and IT services. Despite
the fact it has been "the law" for several years, there are still a number
of government websites that do not completely conform to Section 508. I know
of none being "sued."

There is a difference of opinion as to whether other governmental or
pseudo-governmental organizations need to also comply with Section 508. The
law does not require non-governmental organizations such as businesses or
individuals to comply.

In a number of states, the state governments have adopted Section 508 or
some form of web accessibility standards. Here in Maine, the web
accessibility standards are a combination of Section 508, WCAG and some of
our own unique requirements.

The issue of pseudo-governmental compliance is also at issue. For example,
should the state university system comply? Should all of the public schools
comply? Should non-governmental organizations that get most of their money
through grants from the state comply?

Also in the U.S. we have the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) which is
a more general law relating to accessibility. I believe that the recent
lawsuit brought against Target department stores' for having a
non-accessible website was based upon ADA compliance as well as some state
disability discrimination laws.


John E. Brandt
Augusta, Maine USA
www.jebswebs.com