Most people are familiar with the physical accommodations businesses make, including auto-matic door openers and wheelchair ramps, to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). But ADA-compliant websites have become a topic of discussion as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) refines accessibility requirements for all websites to ensure that those who are blind or hearing-impaired can access the site. The DOJ predicts that these requirements will be released this spring, so practitioners should familiarize themselves with the basics of website accessibility now.
The DOJ has suggested the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA Success Criteriaopens in new window as the best accessibility standards to follow. These include benchmarks on how well a website optimizes its content for people with visual, hearing or other challenges.
Lynn Bufka, PhD, of APA's Practice Directorate, encourages psychologists to understand the expectations under the ADA and to comply in advance of any requirements.
"Ensuring that all individuals can access the psychologist's web presence is good for business and good for the people of the local community, making it easier for everyone to access psychological services," Bufka says.
—Amy Novotney
