The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that credit unions give customers with impairments, including those who use assistive technologies like screen readers, Braille displays, and speech recognition software, access to their services. Lawsuits and complaints against credit unions that have inaccessible websites to individuals with impairments have increased in recent years. In order to avoid such legal actions, we will go over the legal criteria for ADA website compliance in the financial industry in this blog article, to understand what credit unions must do to make sure their websites are accessible to everyone.
What is ADA Website Compliance?
Making sure a website is accessible to those with disabilities, including those who use assistive technologies, is known as ADA website compliance. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990 and mandates that all publicly accessible companies, including credit unions, give people with disabilities equitable access to their services. Thus, credit unions must make sure that, just like with their physical branches, their websites are accessible to individuals who have disabilities.
Legal Requirements for ADA Website Compliance in Financial Services
The ADA does not contain any particular guidelines for how to create an accessible website. However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has concluded that websites are places of public accommodation under the ADA and that they must be accessible. Other federal courts have also agreed. This implies that financial institutions must make sure that users with disabilities may access their websites.
The most popular web accessibility guidelines are known as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. Web content for people with disabilities should follow WCAG 2.1 guidelines. There are three levels of conformity for the rules: A, AA, and AAA. The most widely utilized conformance level for ADA website compliance is AA.
Some of the major criteria for ADA website compliance for credit unions are listed below:
Alternative Text for Images
Alternate text for images (also known as “alt text”) that describes the content of the image should be available on websites. This makes it possible for screen reader users to comprehend the image’s content.
Keyboard Accessibility
A website should include a keyboard interface for all of its features. The website can now be navigated by individuals who are unable to use a mouse for navigation.
Clear and Consistent Navigation
Users should be able to easily and quickly access all the information they need thanks to the website’s simple and consistent navigation.
Captions and Transcripts for Audio and Video
To ensure that people who are hard of hearing or deaf can access the content, all audio and video content on a website should contain captions and transcripts.
Color Contrast
In order to guarantee that the content is readable for those with limited vision, there should always be enough color contrast between the text and the background it’s on.
Accessible Forms
People with disabilities should be able to access the website’s forms. This involves describing form fields with labels and making sure error messages are plainly evident.
How to Ensure ADA Website Compliance for Credit Unions
By adhering to the WCAG 2.1 recommendations, credit unions can guarantee ADA website compliance. The following actions can be taken by credit unions to make their websites more accessible:
Conduct an Accessibility Audit
To locate and fix any accessibility problems, credit unions should conduct an accessibility audit of their website. A third-party vendor or an accessibility testing tool can complete an accessibility audit.
Address Accessibility Issues
Once the accessibility audit is complete, credit unions should address any accessibility issues identified. This may include adding alt text to images, improving keyboard accessibility, and ensuring that forms are accessible.
Provide Accessibility Information
On their websites, credit unions should make accessibility information available, such as an accessibility statement and contact information for those who require help using the site.
Train Employees
Employees at credit unions should receive ADA website compliance and accessibility training. This includes instruction on how to produce accessible material and how to address consumer accessibility concerns. Giving staff members the knowledge and abilities they need to maintain accessibility compliance can assist prevent future legal problems.
Monitor and Maintain Accessibility
Credit unions and financial institutions should constantly monitor and strengthen the accessibility of their website. This includes conducting regular accessibility audits to identify and resolve any new accessibility issues that arise.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Legal action and financial fines may follow for failing to adhere to the ADA website accessibility rules. Credit unions that fail to make their websites accessible to those with disabilities run the danger of being sued, receiving bad press, and losing clients.
Final Thoughts
In order to ensure that all clients have equal access to services, credit union websites must comply with the ADA. Credit unions can make sure that their websites are accessible to those with disabilities by adhering to the WCAG 2.1 standards. Credit unions must also carry out accessibility audits, resolve any problems, offer guidance, train staff, and regularly monitor and maintain accessibility. By doing this, credit unions may steer clear of potential legal problems and give all customers a better user experience.
Keep in mind that it’s crucial to be informed about any amendments to the laws or regulations governing ADA website compliance in the financial industry. Credit unions should make sure that their websites continue to be accessible to all consumers, including those with disabilities, by being informed and proactive.
