ADA Compliance in Maryland
ADA compliance in Maryland is not just a legal requirement. It reflects our commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity. Everyone deserves equal access to online spaces, including people with disabilities. Let’s work together to create a more accessible and inclusive web experience for all.
Maryland ADA Requirements
In Maryland, it is important for agencies and businesses alike to closely monitor the range of accessibility laws that guide how we create spaces where everyone feels included.
Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is more than legislation; it is a turning point in the fight for basic dignity. People with disabilities deserve the same protections and respect as anyone else.
The ADA was built with the physical world in mind when it was first passed. But as the internet quickly became a part of daily life, the law had to grow with the times. Through courtroom battles and federal guidance, its reach has gradually extended into the digital space.
Years before the ADA became a household name, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 changed the game. It quietly but powerfully challenged the status quo, insisting that people with disabilities had every right to equal treatment in any program touched by federal dollars.
Tucked within that landmark law is Section 508. It focuses squarely on making sure that websites, documents, and all kinds of online content are not just out there, but truly accessible.
The Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) is a nonprofit legal group that champions the rights of people with disabilities.
As the state’s designated protection and advocacy agency, DRM is deeply committed to strengthening the impact of the ADA and Section 508, not just through policy but by standing beside individuals and guiding businesses toward a real understanding of accessibility laws.
Maryland Information Technology Nonvisual Access Regulatory Standards
Maryland’s Information Technology Nonvisual Access (MD IT NVA) Regulatory Standards, effective since March 1, 2005, ensure digital equity across state-run technologies.
Any information technology, be it websites, documents, software, or services used or developed by non-exempt Executive Branch agencies, must be fully accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired unless doing so is truly unfeasible or cost-prohibitive.
This includes both internal systems and resources provided through state contracts. The Department of Information Technology (DoIT), guided by the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Section 14.33.02, oversees this.
Even though private businesses are not strictly bound by these standards, choosing to follow them goes a long way. It supports broader protections like those in the ADA, helps make your digital spaces truly welcoming, and minimizes the risk of incurring legal liabilities.
Risks of Noncompliance
Not following ADA rules can damage your organization, not just legally, but also your reputation and money.
Just one slip-up could set you back $75,000, and if it happens again, you’re looking at a staggering $150,000. And that does not include the legal costs or the risk of completely losing federal contracts.
But it does not stop there. Nowadays, people expect businesses to be welcoming to everyone. If your services are not accessible, it does not just make you look bad; it can push customers away.
How To Make Sure Your Website Complies With Maryland Accessibility Standards
If you want to sidestep the pitfalls of an inaccessible website, here are a handful of practical steps worth weaving into your process.
- Prioritize Regular Accessibility Maintenance: Continuously update and maintain accessibility features to address evolving standards, integrate new technologies, and ensure Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) compliance.
- Get Expert Help: Work with web accessibility professionals who can manually review your site and spot issues you might miss. Their insights can guide you toward practical, effective improvements that make your site better for everyone.
Be Accessible is a partner you can count on as you work toward meeting Maryland’s accessibility laws. We do not drown you in checklists or jargon. Instead, we dig in where it matters, offering clear, in-depth website audits, fixing barriers without the tech headaches, providing effective PDF remediations to make your documents fully accessible, and delivering accessibility training that is useful and easy to apply.
Be Accessible Increases Digital Accessibility Every Day
We serve a wide range of industries from restaurants to tech companies to financial institutions and everything in between.
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