Daily Labor Report ®
Federal Web Accessibility Focus Puts Private Sector on Notice
By J. Edward Moreno
Dec. 13, 2022, 10:15 AM
- DOJ shows interest in digital accessibility for websites
- Standards for private sector unclear
Federal agencies, as well as the private sector, are facing pressure due to a growing focus on web accessibility by the Department of Justice, which recently sought to increase its own online user-friendliness with a makeover of its ADA.gov website.
DOJ said it would make the site more “user-centered” by incorporating easier to understand language, among other upgrades. The website itself offers information to employers and employees on the rights of disabled people in the workplace and in public spaces.
The update marks the latest move from the federal government indicating that it plans to increase focus on compliance with federal accessibility laws in the digital world, an issue that’s gained new attention in the wake of the rise of remote work during the Covid-19 pandemic. Widespread telework arrangements revealed some key deficiencies in website and internet accessibility for workers with disabilities, a “digital divide” that has led to employment gaps and other negative outcomes.
“The real deterrent isn’t just a building without a wheelchair ramp anymore, it’s software,” said [...]