We’ve compiled some of the most noteworthy stories about online inclusivity over the last few weeks, including an article written by the founder of Global Accessibility Awareness Day; some very eye opening facts about inclusion in the Financial services sector and pieces on inclusion relating to the education industry.

Lawsuit alleges SU’s website fails to meet federal accessibility standards

In July, a prospective student of Syracuse University filed a class-action lawsuit against the university, alleging its website fails to meet federal accessibility standards. Daily Orange reports that the lawsuit claims their website is not compatible with computer screen reader programs, therefore, depriving individuals who are blind or visually-impaired from accessing the site.

https://dailyorange.com/2021/08/lawsuit-syracuse-university-website-federal-accessibility-standards/ (opens in a new window)

Tax Credit Available to Small Businesses for Making Websites ADA Compliant

This article summarizes a new tax credit available to small businesses that want to invest in updating or maintaining their websites to be more accessible to those with disabilities. The IRS is offering a one-time tax credit of up to $5,000 for small businesses that incur expenses associated with making their website more accessible.

https://www.spencerfane.com/publication/tax-credit-available-to-small-businesses-for-making-websites-ada-compliant/ (opens in a new window)

Grocers grapple with digital accessibility as e-commerce grows

The pandemic has highlighted the accessibility of grocers’ websites and apps for those with disabilities due to the market acceleration. Grocery Dive highlights that the lack of federal regulations and oversight poses challenges for the sector in terms of digital accessibility.

https://www.grocerydive.com/news/grocers-grapple-with-digital-accessibility-as-e-commerce-grows/604856/ (opens in a new window)

Implementing Accessibility: Understanding Organizational Culture

Accessibility.com highlights the impact your organization’s culture has on accessibility. The article touches on the types of cultures and how implementing accessibility initiatives should be done in a way to complement an organizations strengths, while also avoiding the weaknesses associated with culture types.

https://www.accessibility.com/blog/implementing-accessibility-understanding-organizational-culture (opens in a new window)

Gov. Pritzker celebrates more access to online learning for students with disabilities

WIFR reports on Governor JB Pritzker making the state of Illinois a national leader in digital compliance for digital education tools. The new law will require any content available on any third-party online curriculum service used in all public and private K-12 schools to be WCAG 2.1 compliant and readily accessible to individuals with disabilities starting August 1, 2022.

https://www.wifr.com/2021/09/02/gov-pritzker-celebrates-more-access-online-learning-students-with-disabilities/ (opens in a new window)

Make accessibility part of your startup’s products and culture from day one

This article, written by Joe Devon, founder of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, includes some noteworthy figures, including “A Forrester survey found that 8 in 10 companies have taken their first steps toward working on digital accessibility.”. The piece goes on to explain how organizations are seeing the benefits of creating accessible products and includes five things to help companies make changes in the right direction.

https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/03/make-accessibility-part-of-your-startups-products-and-culture-from-day-one/ (opens in a new window)

Concerns raised over accessibility ahead of digital vaccine passport rollout in Ontario

CTV News Kitchener has brought a light to concerns over the Ontario government’s digital vaccine passport QR code and verification app, which is being rolled out on October 22. One Ontario disability consumer advocacy group is backing concerns made by citizens as they say: “We have no assurance, since we haven’t seen the app, that the app they create will be accessible for people with disabilities that do have a smart phone,”.

https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/concerns-raised-over-accessibility-ahead-of-digital-vaccine-passport-rollout-in-ontario-1.5574057 (opens in a new window)

Texthelp Addresses Need for Digital Accessibility in Financial Services with Release of New Industry Report

This piece discusses a new industry report released by texthelp on Digital Accessibility in the Financial Services sector. Texthelp believe Financial services should be able to be accessed and used independently online by people with disabilities, a statement we echo for this and other sectors. The article not only highlights how technical accessibility issues were found when the sites were scanned, but also how readability issues were found, making it likely that visitors would find bank websites difficult to understand.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/texthelp-addresses-digital-accessibility-financial-120000842.html (opens in a new window)