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Because of this, Utah has implemented different policies, guidelines, and laws to ensure equal access.
Today, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about website accessibility in Utah from several perspectives. These include the current status of web accessibility in Utah, state policies, and factors that make ADA compliance significant in Utah.
If you have a Utah-based business or sell to Utah residents, this article is for you. Continue reading to learn more about ADA compliance in Utah.
Utah businesses never needed to worry about being sued for ADA Title III violations. From 2013 to 2015, the state received a total of only 8 lawsuits in federal court.
Nonetheless, this number has increased over the years. The number of case filings grew to 124 in 2016, making Utah the seventh busiest federal venue for ADA cases that year.
Additionally, there have been 125 lawsuits filed in the Utah federal courts in 2017, the highest number of cases since 2013.
In several accessibility cases, lawyers tried to exploit the law to make money instead of helping people with different abilities.
For instance, there’s a famous case in which a single law firm sent a differently-abled person to different websites to find ADA violations to create lawsuits.
However, state lawmakers are trying to resolve this issue. They believe that if businesses violate ADA compliance, they should be given notice.
This way, they can rectify their negligence and then only be charged for non-compliance.
ADA Compliance in Utah: Laws and Regulations Related to Website Accessibility
The state of Utah has several guidelines when it comes to website accessibility. For instance, the state implements the W3C standards and Section-508.
The W3C has developed many web standards for accessibility (2). In Utah, websites must adhere to WCAG, which provides recommendations for a website’s text, video, and audio.
Additionally, the W3C has conformance levels, which determine a website’s accessibility. These are A, AA, and AAA. For more information on the WCAG, you can read our comprehensive guide here.
Aside from the WCAG, Utah also requires adherence to Section-508.
Some of the section’s standards include:
Data tables should have row and column headers;
Users should be able to skip repetitive links;
Web pages should be readable without the use of an associated style sheet; and
Websites should use alternative text for non-text content.
Utah’s Accessibility Policy
Besides the WCAG and Section-508, Utah also has an accessibility policy in place.
This policy mainly covers website design. Utah requires websites to adhere to several design standards, which include the site’s font sizing, navigation, and layout.
Aside from these, Utah’s standards also require websites to have a straightforward design, meaning they should be easy to use.
You’ll also notice that state agency websites have a statewide header, ensuring consistency and making them easier to navigate.
There are a few other standards concerning a website’s design, including:
The use of alt text
Links should stand alone
Audio and video transcripts
Flexible layout
The use of cascading style sheets (CSS)
A Fast and Efficient Way to Comply with Web Accessibility Guidelines
Our top-recommended web accessibility solution is accessiBe. This advanced AI-powered tool makes it easier to apply the latest WCAG standards to your site by simply adding a line of code to the back-end.
Factors That Make ADA Compliance Significant in Utah
Like in other states, Utah places great importance on ADA compliance. In Utah, website accessibility is not only about catering to the needs of differently-abled people – there are a few other factors that make this state unique:
A growing number of the population don’t speak English
Aside from website design, accessibility also covers making information available to non-native English speakers. Thus, website translatability (3) is another criteria of web accessibility in Utah.
Catering to senior citizens
Web accessibility should also benefit other people, including individuals whose abilities are changing due to age.
Utah requires websites to make accommodations for all citizens by following web accessibility standards.
These factors relate to ease of use and translatability.
How to Avoid ADA Compliance Claims
ADA Compliance in Utah should be taken seriously. Besides getting a lawsuit, ADA non-compliance can cost you your business or brand.
It’s important to take all the necessary steps to avoid these lawsuits. Below are some of the remedies that you can adopt:
Perform a thorough web audit
Now that you have a thorough understanding of web accessibility guidelines, the next step is to conduct a website audit. This helps identify inaccessible elements on your site, allowing you to rectify them as soon as possible.
Show your commitment to website accessibility by adding an accessibility statement to your website
When you generate an accessibility statement, you don’t only show your commitment to providing accessibility to your users. You also show that you, as a brand, care about them.
Additionally, an accessibility statement informs users about the web accessiblity steps you have taken on your site.
Keep checking state laws and regulations.
Maintaining an accessible website that meets ADA Compliance in Utah is easy, especially when you’re up to date with state laws and regulations.
That said, you must regularly check accessibility guidelines to ensure your site is up to date and compliant.
Get necessary plugins and widgets like accessiBe, Userway, and Siteimprove
Installing plugins and widgets makes it easier to achieve ADA compliance and maintain it too. Additionally, these tools make your site even easier to use.
Anthony is a dedicated digital accessibility content writer with a knack for making complex topics accessible to all. He specializes in creating content that ensures websites and applications are usable by people with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and compliance with accessibility standards. In addition to his focus on digital accessibility, Anthony’s expertise extends to writing about various tech-related subjects, including servers, VPNs, and other technological innovations. His versatile writing style and deep understanding of technology allow him to effectively communicate intricate concepts to a broad audience.
Ritvik is a dedicated IAAP-certified Accessibility Expert with over 5 years of hands-on experience in making the digital world more inclusive. Specializing in WCAG 2.1 and 2.2, ADA, and Section 508 compliance, Ritvik has successfully completed over 150 accessibility projects. With expertise in assistive tools like JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack, Ritvik ensures comprehensive accessibility testing and provides detailed, actionable recommendations for developer teams.
