Having a comprehensive understanding–and complying with–the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is crucial for founders who aim to establish fully inclusive and accessible work environments. While founders might be well-versed in what ADA compliance entails in physical spaces, Tom Sharpe, co-founder of Mungy, a creative studio specializing in web design (who also made MFN’s site!), is aiding his clients by expanding their knowledge of ADA compliance in the digital world. 

“The ADA has long been associated with physical spaces, so unfortunately, people tend to overlook its relevance in virtual spaces. However, there are many individuals who can’t interact with the Internet in the same way as others, and depending on their disabilities, it could significantly impede their online experience,” Tom explained.

In a nutshell, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil law enacted in 1990 to prevent discrimination against American job seekers with disabilities by employers. The ADA also mandates that employers provide reasonable accommodations to employees based on their disabilities.

Adopting an ADA Compliance Policy

The challenge of maintaining ADA compliance in a virtual environment has gained prominence in recent years. Its importance and repercussions became evident when one of Mungy’s clients faced a lawsuit over a non-compliant website.

“A month or two ago, one of our clients was slapped with a lawsuit because their website wasn’t ADA compliant. We advise all our clients that while we can assist, ultimately, it’s their website, their responsibility, and their choice. While we strongly encourage ADA compliance, we can’t force businesses and organizations to comply,” Tom said.

This experience prompted Mungy to adopt a policy ensuring ADA compliance for both their own and their clients’ websites. For Tom, this policy aligns with his personal and professional values, aiming to create the most positive experience for current and future clients and all those impacted by Mungy’s work.

“Our website is compliant, and MFN was the first client I approached with this idea. We felt strongly about it, so we did it. My upcoming task is to discuss ADA compliance with all our clients and automatically include it in proposals for new clients,“ Tom says.

With the increasing prevalence of lawsuits against companies for non-compliant websites, Tom, although not an ADA compliance expert, stresses the importance for founders to leverage available resources in this domain.

“There’s a plethora of tools and software available for this purpose. It’s an extensive field with experts who can oversee compliance, and some businesses use tools that combine AI and site audits to make websites ADA compliant,” Tom said.

Tools for ADA Accessibility / ADA Compliance

Examples of automated audit technology: Google Lighthouse and WAVE evaluation, which Mungy employs to embed into websites they create and conduct regular audits on to ensure ADA compliance is maintained over time.

ADA compliance is not limited to physical spaces; it extends to the digital realm. It’s critical for founders and businesses to take proactive steps to ensure their websites are ADA compliant. In addition to fulfilling a legal requirement, it reflects a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for all users, ultimately fostering a more positive online experience.

Deep Dive into Accessibility

Check out Accessibe’s excellent, thorough guide “Everything on ADA Compliance”