Department Of Justice To Strengthen Website Access For Disabled People

Source: Huff Post

Apr 10, 2024, 11:30 PM EDT


The Department of Justice took a major step this week towards ensuring website and mobile app access for disabled people under federal disability law. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland signed a final rule on Monday that will clarify obligations of state and local governments to make their websites and mobile apps accessible by creating technical standards for guidance on how to achieve this.

The website access rule falls under Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act, which bars disability discrimination and requires state and local governments to provide disabled people equal opportunity and access to public services, programs or activities.

Website and app barriers such as poor color contrast, lack of alternative text, inaccessible online forms and no captions on videos can prevent disabled people from accessing information on voting, up-to-date health and safety resources, public transportation schedules and other services that are vital to their daily life.

“This final rule marks the Justice Department’s latest effort to ensure that no person is denied access to government services, programs, or activities because of a disability,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement on Monday. “By issuing clear and consistent accessibility standards for state and local governments’ digital content, this rule advances the ADA’s promise of equal participation in society for people with disabilities.”

Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/justice-department-website-access-rule-finalized_n_66174057e4b00830e91647f6