While the internet has been around for decades, it’s safe to say more people in the U.S. are relying on their computers. As of 2022, 26% of employees work remotely with 16% of companies being fully remote and an estimated 36.2 million American employees working remotely by 2025 (Zippia). This propels the web from a place of leisure to a necessity with more people using their computers to make a living.
This new wave of increased internet usage—partially caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted more jobs to fully remote or hybrid schedules—inspired U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative John Sabanes (D-MD-03) to introduce a barrier-breaking bill to ensure accessibility.
The goal of the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act is to adapt to this increase of consistent internet users by ensuring inclusivity and digital accessibility.
Building on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the act requires that entities subject to the ADA and commercial providers maintain websites and software applications that are accessible to Americans with disabilities.
It also seeks to provide consistent interpretation for how the ADA covers websites by affirming that the ADA requires websites and applications used by certain businesses to be accessible regardless of whether the business has a brick-and-mortar location or is solely web-based.
The bill would also establish:
- Clear accessibility standards.
- A technical assistance center and advisory committee.
- An authorized study on the effects that new and emerging technology have on the ability of those living with disabilities.
The Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act also wishes to expand on the DOJ’s Guidance for Web Accessibility by addressing applications and software on smart devices like phones, cars, home appliances, and more.
The act also directs both the DOJ and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to provide regulations to ensure Americans with disabilities have equal access to websites and applications.
Here is a list of FAQs, a section-by-section breakdown, and a one pager about the Duckworth and Sarbanes bill to learn more.
To make sure your website is in compliance, check out our three part series Design, Develop, and Deploy for Accessibility and Accessible Mobile Apps and Kiosks event on our event page.
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