A new start-up is targeting a pressing issue: protecting businesses from potential legal action. With digital accessibility becoming paramount, many firms face significant risks.
Poor accessibility compliance is increasingly putting organisations at risk of lawsuits and losing out on valuable revenue. Addressing this concern is becoming crucial for companies aiming to stay compliant and inclusive.
The Digital Accessibility Issue
The advent of the internet has revolutionised daily activities. We now rely on it for everything from shopping to banking and booking services. Despite this, around 15 million people in the UK experience digital accessibility issues. This includes difficulties with websites from both commercial and public sector organisations.
Non-compliance with accessibility standards is growing. Companies are not only risking legal action but also losing potential revenue from a significant portion of the population. The ‘purple pound’, which refers to the spending power of people with disabilities, is estimated to be worth approximately £249 billion in the UK alone.
Rising Legal Challenges
In 2018, over 5,000 lawsuits were filed in the US against various companies for non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). European companies are also feeling the heat. Scandinavian Airlines, for instance, faced legal action for ADA non-compliance.
A landmark case involved Domino’s Pizza, which was found guilty of failing to make its website accessible to blind users. As a result, the company had to implement changes to enhance its user experience for visually impaired customers.
A New Approach to Compliance
AAAtraq offers a unique solution to this growing problem.
The start-up provides a low-cost, fast-track route for organisations to shield themselves from legal risks through an easily managed service. According to Lawrence Shaw, AAAtraq’s founder and CEO, many leading brands still fail basic accessibility compliance checks.
Shaw explains, ‘It is only a matter of time before UK-based companies begin facing a similar ‘litigation culture’ as seen in the US. The stakes are much higher now.’
How AAAtraq Works
AAAtraq’s service assesses current risks, offers guidance for adjustments, and provides ongoing certification. It begins with a complimentary online ‘health check’ to give organisations an immediate summary report.
This is followed by a detailed risk report, pinpointing specific areas for improvement within individual pages or content. This managed service simplifies compliance reporting and aids businesses in becoming and remaining compliant.
Challenges in Accessibility Compliance
Shaw notes that accessibility legislation has grown overly complicated. He attributes this to several factors, including opportunistic lawyers, unaccountable digital suppliers, and organisations overly reliant on third-party suppliers.
Many organisations misunderstand accessibility laws and perceive compliance as both challenging and costly. This misinformation has created a ‘perfect storm’ leading to increased litigation risks.
The Financial Implications
Digital inaccessibility lawsuits have become one of the fastest growing financial risks for businesses. Companies are often unaware of the legal requirements and mistakenly believe compliance is expensive and difficult.
As Shaw puts it, ‘Organisations bury their heads in the sand, unaware of how critical accessibility compliance is to avoid legal action and to tap into significant revenue from the disabled community.’
Conclusion
Addressing digital accessibility is not just a legal obligation but a strategic business move. Companies must prioritise compliance to mitigate risks and unlock new revenue streams.
The rise in accessibility lawsuits underscores the urgency for businesses to act. Services like AAAtraq offer a practical pathway for organisations to achieve and maintain compliance.
Addressing digital accessibility is not just a legal obligation but a strategic business move. Companies must prioritise compliance to mitigate risks and unlock new revenue streams.
The rise in accessibility lawsuits underscores the urgency for businesses to act. Services like AAAtraq offer a practical pathway for organisations to achieve and maintain compliance.