In fact, a recent Department of Justice mandate requires state and local government entities to ensure their websites, mobile applications, and digital services are accessible to those with disabilities.
“Websites and mobile apps that are not accessible can make it difficult or impossible for people with disabilities to access government services, like ordering mail-in ballots or getting tax information, that are quickly and easily available to other members of the public online. Sometimes, inaccessible websites and mobile apps can keep people with disabilities from joining or fully participating in civic or other community events like town meetings or programs at their child’s school,” the Department’s Fact Sheet states.
“This rule will help make sure people with disabilities have access to state and local governments’ services, programs, and activities available on websites and mobile apps. This rule will also provide state and local governments with more clarity about what they have to do to comply with the ADA.”
Selecting the right Accessibility Governance Platform for your organization requires careful consideration of several key factors. As you evaluate platforms, make sure you:
1. Understand Your Sector-Specific Compliance Requirements
Regulated sectors have different accessibility standards, such as WCAG, Section 508, and ADA Title II, among others. When evaluating platforms, ensure they align with the specific regulations your organization must follow. A good platform will provide robust tools to monitor, measure, and report compliance across all your digital assets.
Questions to Ask:
- Does the platform support the accessibility standards mandated for your sector?
- Can it generate detailed compliance reports tailored for audits and oversight?
- How frequently are guidelines and tools updated to meet evolving regulatory requirements?
2. Evaluate Scalability and Flexibility
Accessibility needs in regulated sectors can vary widely, from managing a single public-facing website to overseeing an extensive network of digital properties and documents. Look for a platform that can scale with your needs and integrate seamlessly with your existing systems.
Questions to Ask:
- Can the platform handle the complexity and volume of your digital assets?
- Does it support integration with technologies like your organization’s content management system, single sign-on, and APIs?
3. Prioritize Automation and Efficiency
Regulated sectors often face tight timelines and resource constraints. Advanced platforms use automation to streamline the process of identifying and fixing issues, ensuring compliance without excessive manual effort.
Key Feature to Look For:
- Autopilot Functionality: YuJa EqualGround, for example, offers a one-click solution to resolve SEO and accessibility issues automatically, reducing the burden on your teams.
- Website Scanning and Real-Time Monitoring: Look for solutions that can continuously scan and monitor multiple domains and sub-domains, detecting accessibility issues in real time.
- Remediation Capabilities: AI-powered remediation tools can automate many fixes, but the platform should also provide robust in-line remediation capabilities for more complex issues, such as document accessibility.
4. Availability of Actionable Insights
In regulated sectors, data transparency and actionable steps are critical for maintaining compliance and addressing accessibility issues quickly. Choose a platform that provides a centralized accessibility analytics dashboard to monitor, analyze, and act on accessibility metrics.
Questions to Ask:
- Can the platform prioritize issues based on their impact on compliance and user experience?
- Does the platform provide accessibility scoring, usability metrics, SEO impacts, and user behavior tracking?
5. Assess User Experience and Training Resources
Organizations in regulated sectors often have staff with diverse technical expertise from novice to expert. An intuitive platform with strong training and support resources can ensure successful adoption and ongoing use.
Questions to Ask:
- Is the platform accessible and intuitive for non-technical users?
- Does it include training modules, sector-specific documentation, or dedicated support?
Choosing the right Accessibility Governance Platform is a critical step toward fostering inclusivity and meeting current and new regulatory requirements with a solution that benefits your users and your organization.
