The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as created in 1990, is a civil rights law that prohibits businesses and organizations from discriminating based on a disability. The ADA applies to any public space allowing equal access to all. The creation of the internet is considered a public space as it is not only a place for information it is also a place for banking, shopping, making reservations and so forth and very much part of our daily lives.

In 2018, the Department of Justice emerged and made a clear consensus that ADA covers online accessibility just as much as physical accessible accommodations. In March, 2022, The Department of Justice reaffirmed and clarified their 2018 ruling and published new web accessibility guidance under the ADA’s requirements of nondiscrimination and effective communication. The ADA requires that businesses and state and local governments open to the public must ensure their websites provide appropriate communication aids, or accommodations to people with disabilities. This ruling extends to people who are blind or vision impaired, deaf or hearing impaired, motor impaired, have a cognitive disorder or people who have epilepsy.

This includes ensuring their websites provide appropriate equal enjoyment of their goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations to people with disabilities.

The world wide web has become one of the most important innovations in our lifetime. Making it accessible prioritizes the inclusion of all people and the values we have for everyone, regardless of abilities.