The Americans with Disabilities Act is a useful piece of legislation that assists those with disabilities to be able to be a part of society without having to deal with a lot of hassle. For example, the ADA helps ensure buildings are accessible by those who use a wheelchair. It also is important when it comes to employment. This has been a law for a long time, but as society changes and the face of the digital age, there are more considerations that California employers must make to stay ADA compliant.
Forbes explains that many online businesses are seeing some issues with ADA compliance. Currently, the focus is on the customer experience, but it is easy to see how this might translate into issues with employees as well.
One of the main problems for these small businesses is that their websites are not compatible with certain technology that assist people who have vision issues. This falls under the ADA’s section about communication barriers.
It is easy to see how this might relate to employment, especially is the businesses hire virtual workers. If the company is unable to provide ADA-compliant website access for customers, then it is not likely to do so for employees either.
So, this is a new concern for employers in today’s digital environment. They also have to consider how using the technology will affect workers, including those with disabilities. Since the ADA was written long before the internet was what it is today, there are no specific requirements for websites, but employers still need to be aware of how the law is applicable in digital situations. This information is for education and is not legal advice.