Menu
Jemma
ADA Compliance: Securing Equal Access to Online Content
The global awareness of disability-inclusive development has significantly increased over time. Most countries have enforced laws that protect the civil rights of disabled people, prohibiting discrimination and ensuring a barrier-free environment in all buildings and establishments. Although this is a progressive move, what is not universal is adherence to the web accessibility standards.
The web promises independent participation among online users. However, for people with disabilities to enjoy its benefits and the wealth of information it offers, website ADA compliance is essential.
Learn the foundations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, and other web standards, and keep your website ADA compliant.
We also discuss the ADA tax credit eligibility requirements and benefits to motivate you to make the necessary ADA accommodations and take advantage of the ADA website compliance tax credit.
Jemma
The Goal of Americans with Disabilities Act and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports approximately 15 percent of the global population lives with disabilities that affect their daily life, including online shopping and web browsing. To address the need for web accessibility, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has created the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
WCAG is a technical standard that aims to explain ADA accessibility and guide web developers on making websites ADA compliant. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines have been adopted by governments worldwide and are now part of various legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 508, and EN 301549.
In 2017, WCAG 2.1 was introduced to address web changes and technological advancements. WCAG 2.1 builds on the previous versions of WCAG and aims to make online content more accessible to a broader range of persons with disabilities, including:
- Deafness
- Blindness
- Photosensitivity
- Hearing loss
- Low vision
- Learning disabilities
- Cognitive limitations
- Limited movement
- Speech disabilities
ADA website compliance does not indicate a specific adherence to only ADA requirements or WCAG standards. Website ADA compliance is an all-encompassing term –a gold standard for creating websites accessible to all users, regardless of physical or cognitive ability.
Jemma ADA Services
Get ADA Assistance and Enhance Your Website’s Functionality and Usability
Tell us about your project today and we’ll give you a free quote.
Create An All-Inclusive Online Experience
Why You Need An ADA Compliant Website
As a business owner and marketer, your web design speaks volumes about the quality of your products and the level of your customer support. Show your clients, prospects, and critical stakeholders your commitment to providing the best possible service by investing in an ADA-compliant website.
ADA-compliant websites ensure:
Adherence to the Law
The law protects disabled people against discrimination across establishments and platforms and websites are no exception to the rule. In 2017 alone, 7,633 ADA website compliance lawsuits were filed and this number grew exponentially by nearly 200 percent in 2018. If you’re an eCommerce website or a business with a physical location, you’re at a much higher risk of being sued for failure to meet WordPress ADA compliance guidelines. Capitalizing on ADA website compliance services protects your company from serial web accessibility plaintiffs. Asking the question “how do I make my website ADA compliant?” to the right professionals who can assist you is the first step to making sure you are on the right side of the law. It saves you several thousands of dollars in hiring a defense attorney and litigating an ADA web compliant case.
Accessibility for Everyone
Millions of people with disabilities worldwide require information from online sources and have technological needs that deserve better attention and awareness. An ADA compliance website gives page visitors equal opportunities to access your online content and make informed decisions. As we transition to a more user-centric online landscape, now’s the best time to start learning how to make my website ADA compliant and take action to improve your site functionalities. Strict adherence to web accessibility guidelines enhances your customers’ web experience and facilitates memorable brand interactions. More importantly, ADA compliant websites make online users feel valued and respected.
ADA Tax Credit Eligibility
Small businesses that prioritize web accessibility and meet the ADA tax credit 2021 qualifications can get up to $5,000 IRS ADA tax credit and/or ADA tax deduction. These two ADA tax incentives are a big help to industry leaders and marketers who want to improve their site accessibility and expand their online reach but are struggling financially. ADA compliance services website tax credit covers 50 percent of the total ADA compliance website expenditures you’ve incurred in a taxable year. With the ADA IRS tax credit, you don’t just save a significant amount of money, but you also have the opportunity to invest your savings in necessary website modifications and brand developments.
Better Conversion Potential
Disabilities present themselves in various forms, including visual impairments, motor disabilities, developmental delays and hearing disabilities. Businesses that optimize their website to cater to this segment of the population can go a long way towards helping more people fulfill their information needs. Having an ADA compliance website allows you to keep different audience segments engaged. The more individuals who can access your website, the higher your chances of improving your retention rate. More importantly, ADA website compliance gives you the opportunity to turn more page visitors into paying customers and, eventually, loyal brand advocates.
Long-term Profitability
ADA compliant websites increase your bottom line and promote customer loyalty. Even with a lower overall income, disabled people account for billions of dollars in spending power. A new report published by the American Institutes of Research (AIR) found that inclusive marketing practices and ADA compliance services help businesses tap into the purchasing power of approximately 20 million U.S. working-age adults with disabilities. Disabled U.S. adults have a total disposable income of about $490 billion. The longer you wait to create an inclusive online experience, the more conversion opportunities and revenue streams you could lose to your competitors.
Competitive Advantage
Many businesses commit the mistake of overlooking persons with disabilities in the marketplace. What most companies fail to realize, however, is that disabled people make up a huge economic group that represents about 10 percent of total online spending. ADA website compliance is your key to staying ahead of the competition. Improve access to your products and services and safeguard your brand from ADA website compliance lawsuits by learning how to make a website ADA compliant. Gain your competitive edge with Jemmaa's ADA services.
How Your Business Can Get ADA Website Compliance Tax Credit and ADA Tax Deduction
You’ve probably heard of the Section 44 ADA tax credit of the IRS Code, but what exactly is the IRS ADA tax credit, and which businesses are eligible for this tax incentive?
The ADA compliance tax credit was enacted in 1990 to assist small businesses in removing the barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from accessing websites. The ADA-compliant tax credit covers half of the eligible expenditures or the costs spent on improving website accessibility. Depending on your total expenses, you can get up to a $5,000 ADA tax credit and/or tax deduction when you prioritize ADA website compliance.
Section 44 ADA tax credit applies to small businesses with no more than 30 full-time employees and have earned a maximum total revenue of $1 million in the taxable year. But depending on your qualification, you may get an ADA compliance tax credit, an ADA tax deduction, or a combination of both ADA tax incentives.
To claim your ADA IRS tax credit, you must fill out the ADA tax credit form 8826 and complete the requirements for the other tax credits you’re applying for. Be sure to consult with your tax preparer to determine if you qualify for the ADA-compliant tax credit and get professional assistance in answering the ADA tax credit form 8826.
Have more questions about the Section 44 ADA tax credit? Check out this blog for a more in-depth discussion of the ADA compliance website tax credit and the general instructions on using the ADA tax credit form 8826.
Jemma SEO Performance Audit
Ready to Make Your Website WCAG Compliant?
If you’re still on the fence, ask, “Does my website need to be ADA-compliant?” The answer lies in your business’s core values and your custom web design’s functionalities. Does your website cater to all online users? Does it facilitate a seamless web experience for people with disabilities? Does it follow the ADA-compliant website guidelines?
In today’s cut-throat digital landscape, ADA web compliance is imperative to accommodate your target audience’s needs and future-proof your brand. Additionally, if your goal is to earn an ADA tax credit and/or ADA tax deduction and protect your customers’ rights at the same time, learning about the ADA compliance website tax credit guidelines is an excellent place to start.
ADA assistance is a vital part of digital marketing. If you value your customers and page visitors, you would not consider educating your staff on making a website ADA compliant and implementing the ADA-compliant website guidelines.
Take the first step towards making your website more accessible and profitable. Partner with Jemmaa and let us teach you how to make your website ADA-compliant for IRS ADA tax credit eligibility.
Jemma’s ADA experts know that once your website is compliant, maintenance is needed to keep it that way. You can rest assured that at no additional cost, your dedicated ADA compliance specialist will implement changes and ensure your website is always aligned with ADA regulations. Unlike many web design and development agencies, as a part of our package, we offer you ongoing tech support at no charge. This means your ADA specialist is always an email or phone call away. We’re in it for the long run!
