Accessible.org Podcast

If you receive a demand letter claiming your website is inaccessible, Richard Hunt is the guy you want to know.Richard is a nationally recognized ADA and FHA defense attorney who helps businesses avoid and defend against Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Housing Act (FHA) claims.Richard is also a leader in website accessibility law. His blog, Accessibility Defense, details strategies and practical information on preventing lawsuits, settlement costs, and reducing risk.In this episode, Richard . Topics covered include:Smaller businesses are increasingly being suedRichard's seven-step strategy for addressing website accessibilityWhy ignoring a demand letter is a bad ideaSettlement costs for ADA and FHA claimsBrowsewrap arbitration agreementsThe WCAG standard vs. legal standardIs there an easy way of dealing with website accessibility / complianceLinks from this episode:Richard's Law FirmRichard's Law Firm BioRichard's Blog, Accessibility DefenseYou can email Richard at rhunt@hunthuey.com Get the transcript for this episode at accessible.org/ep14Support the show (https://krisrivenburgh.com)

If you have 15 or fewer employees, are you still subject to the ADA?You cannot find the correct answer in Google unless you come across my content. In today's podcast, I solve the mystery:No, you don't need 15 or more employees to be subject to Title III of the ADA.This is particularly a huge detail in the current legal landscape as many website owners are working under wrong information.In this podcast, I explain the confusion around 15 employees and Title I and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Get the transcript for this episode at accessible.org/ep13Support the show (https://krisrivenburgh.com)

Dax Castro is a master in document accessibility. In this episode we dive into PDFs specifically. Topics covered include:Why tagging is everything when it comes to PDF accessibilityThe all too common Friday office scramble when it comes to PDF remediationHow you can easily pay $1,000s of dollars and get back worthless documentsHow to view WCAG vs. PDF/UAPDF remediation takes a long time (but doesn't always have to)The importance of making your PDFs accessibleThis episode is a must listen for anyone who even thinks about learning about making documents accessible.Links from this episode: Dax's LinkedIn PageDax's COVID-19 PDF Time Lapse VideoSection508help.comAccessibilityScripts.comPDF Accessibility Facebook Group Get the transcript for this episode at accessible.org/ep12Support the show (https://krisrivenburgh.com)

Emily Ogle is an advocate for accessibility and those with disabilities. She's the senior regulatory strategist for accessibility at Cerner Corporation.In this episode, Emily emphasizes the need for digital accessibility as Coronavirus fundamentally alters life as we know it. Topics covered include:Emily received an inaccessible PDF concerning COVID-19 from her property managerHow people with disabilities are disproportionately affected by CoronavirusWhy team leads need to check-in with team members one-on-oneThe best approach to accessibility / becoming accessibleDeque is a great example of accessible online learningWhat people take for granted when it comes to disabilitiesHealthcare IT accessibility is mostly about software, not the webTwo things Emily urges everyone to do right nowHow Coronavirus is impacting Emily's worldLinks from this episode:Emily Ogle LinkedIn ProfilePaul J. Adam Accessibility Examples Get the transcript for this episode at accessible.org/ep11Support the show (https://krisrivenburgh.com)

Sheri Byrne-Haber is a world renown expert in disability and accessibility.She's currently the head of accessibility at VMware and was previously the head of accessibility at McDonald's and has contracted with Albertsons as well.In this episode, we get Sheri's insight on a number of topics:What it was like being the head of accessibility at McDonald'sHow to reduce anxiety for users of your websiteWhy you should always go for modal pop-upsWhy you shouldn't use accessibility toolbars/overlaysTwo things you don't usually get (but need) with closed captionsThe gamification of accessibility training and how it helpsWhat can you do to go above and beyond in making things accessibleHow important are multiple channels of accessibility supportWhat Sheri got busted for when testing for accessibilityDisability as a part of diversityMoney as a motivator for accessibilitySeeking out feedback from people with disabilitiesLinks from this episode:Most inaccessible website with a perfect score on Google LighthouseSheri's blogSheri's Medium channelSheri on LinkedIn Get the transcript for this episode at accessible.org/ep10Support the show (https://krisrivenburgh.com)

I can't recommend user testing your digital offerings (websites, apps, documents, software, etc.) enough.It's great for actual accessibility (it's the perfect compliment to an audit and remediation) and also for preventing a demand letter or lawsuit. Get the transcript for this episode at accessible.org/ep9Support the show (https://krisrivenburgh.com)

Once you immediately address the practical side of accessibility (lawsuit prevention), you need to remain vigilant in your effort to improve your digital accessibility.A genuine, ongoing commitment towards web accessibility will make it difficult for your digital operations not to be accessible which means your chances of receiving an ADA Website Compliance demand letter or lawsuit are next to nothing and everyone, including persons with disabilities, will be able to access and engage with your websites, apps, documents, software, etc.Full transcript at accessible.org/ep8Support the show (https://krisrivenburgh.com)

How do you create a great web accessibility policy that will help lower your chances of receiving a demand letter or lawsuit?In this episode, I go over the key components of a strong website accessibility policy page and then admonish a horrible recommendation that I have seen multiple times on the web.Learn more at accessible.org. Get the transcript for this episode at https://accessible.org/ep7. Support the show (https://krisrivenburgh.com)

What are the most common complaints found in Title III ADA Website Compliance Lawsuits?By way of a webinar led by Jason Taylor from UsableNet.com, we've got the gold.Spoiler alert: Test with VoiceOver screen reader and retailers should especially be on high alert.Learn more at accessible.org.Contact me at kris@accessible.org. Get the transcript for this episode at https://accessible.org/ep6. Support the show (https://krisrivenburgh.com)

What happens with a website accessibility audit and how does it help with making your website compliant?Also, how much does a manual audit cost and what's the expected turnaround.In this episode, I talk all about manual website accessibility audits, what to expect, and what to avoid (agencies that try to sell you automated scans).Learn more at accessible.org.Contact me at kris@accessible.org.Get the transcript for this episode at https://accessible.org/ep5.Support the show (https://krisrivenburgh.com)

Website accessibility can get very complicated but the claims made in ADA Website Compliance lawsuits usually aren't.Don't get bogged down in the minutiae of WCAG 2.0 AA. Instead, focus on the big stuff and WAVE errors.While this isn't perfect and there is certainly more to do, taking action now will dramatically lower your chances of receiving a demand letter of lawsuit.Find out more about lowering your risk at accessible.org.Email me at kris@accessible.org.See the transcript for this episode at https://accessible.org/ep4.Support the show (https://krisrivenburgh.com)

Everyone wants to know if they need to make their website ADA Compliant - the answer is always yes!Not because it's technically written in the Americans with Disabilities Act but because uncertainty is in the current legal landscape and that uncertainty completely favors plaintiffs' lawyers.In this episode, I break down why everyone should make their website accessible.Transcript available at accessible.org/ep3.Support the show (https://krisrivenburgh.com)

Finally! A real solution to website accessibility that's affordable and you can feel confident in. Kris Rivenburgh's release of Accessible Theme marks the very best solution in the marketplace to avoiding a website accessibility demand letter or lawsuit.Accessible Theme is designed and developed to be fully accessible, meet WCAG 2.0 AA, and prevent website owners from uploading inaccessible content.With accessibility companies charging $10,000 to $15,000 for a manual audit and remediation for small-medium websites and big website platforms like Wix, SquareSpace, and Godaddy taking no firm, clear stance on how accessible their website templates are or how to make your website accessible, there aren't a lot of options for website owners.Moreover, "Accessibility Ready" Wordpress themes are anything but clear in how accessible they actually are.And if you're going with a toolbar overlay, you may actually be increasing your risk of a lawsuit.Many WP themes simply tag themselves as accessible for the increased exposure and while they'll make a bullet point list of some of the ways they're accessible, there isn't the focus you need when ADA Website Compliance lawsuits are being filed at record numbers across the country - especially in New York, California, and Florida.And California is seeing a surge in state lawsuits based on the Unruh Act.Accessible Theme makes website accessibility simple, easy, and affordable. Listen to Episode 2 of the Accessible.org to find out how.Full transcript at accessible.org/ep2Support the show (https://krisrivenburgh.com)

In October 2019, the Supreme Court declined to review a prime ADA Website Compliance case in Domino's v. Robles. With no Congressional legislation expected to pass and potential DOJ regulation officially withdrawn in December 2017, no formal federal guidance is expected on how to make your website ADA compliant in 2020.But, we already know what we need to do.In Episode 1 of The Accessible.org Podcast, Kris Rivenburgh, an attorney and author of The ADA Book, gives an overview of the law (including Title III of the ADA) and how to legally approach website accessibility going forward.Kris talks about the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and how you have some flexibility in how you make your website accessible.Full transcript at accessible.org/ep1Support the show (https://krisrivenburgh.com)