ADA Compliance in Delaware
ADA compliance in Delaware is more than just fulfilling a legal obligation. It is a smart, forward-thinking choice that opens doors to a wider audience and strengthens your brand’s credibility. Make accessibility part of your growth strategy and start creating a website everyone can access today.
Delaware ADA Requirements
Delaware works to provide people with disabilities equal access to public spaces, state services, and online content just like anyone else. These protections come from the ADA and the state’s digital accessibility rules, which help fill in the gaps.
Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, passed in 1973, was a major step forward for disability rights. It banned discrimination in any program or service receiving federal funds. It helped set the stage for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, which expanded protections to nearly all public and private spaces.
In Delaware, public agencies fall under Title I (fair employment) and Title II (accessible government services). Title III requires businesses to provide equal access for people with disabilities.
Disability Rights Delaware (DRD) is the state’s official protection and advocacy agency. More than legal help, they act as partners in building inclusive communities. DRD offers free guidance on ADA and Section 504 compliance, helping businesses review policies, handle complaints, and meet legal standards in everyday operations.
Delaware Digital Accessibility Policy
Delaware's Digital Accessibility Policy is run by the Department of Technology and Information. It makes sure that agencies in the executive branch and their third-party partners stick to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, version 2.1, for Levels A and AA. They also have to follow federal rules that back up accessibility.
This includes laws like the ADA, Section 504, and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, plus the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act.
Scope and Applicability
Every participating entity must provide updated accessibility information, offer alternate formats (like Braille or large print), and supply accessible customer service options. This extends to digital content such as:
- Webpages and apps built in HTML and non-HTML formats
- Online service tools and portals
- Public-facing communications like social media, emails, and digital marketing
Private companies might not have to follow Delaware's Digital Accessibility Policy directly, but there are plenty of good reasons for them to do so. Following these guidelines means they can snag state contracts, team up with the government, gain public trust, and avoid legal trouble from wider federal laws like the ADA.
Plus, it just makes sense to do it. Making things accessible helps them reach more people, improves the user experience, and shows they care about being inclusive in a digital platform.
Consequences of Noncompliance
Lawsuits often come from inaccessible websites or services, especially for local governments and small businesses.
Employers ignoring ADA rules risk lawsuits where affected employees can claim back pay, damages, and legal fees. Federal fines start at $75,000 and can double for repeat violations.
Looking past the fines a company might face, the real blow is to its reputation. If a business ignores accessibility, people start to believe it does not care about being inclusive or responsible. This can really hurt trust and make customers less loyal.
How To Make Sure Your Website Complies With Delaware Accessibility Laws
Here are some proactive steps to help make sure your website follows Delaware’s digital accessibility laws:
- Conduct Audits: Perform web accessibility testing by using automated tools for quick scans and reports, then follow up with manual audits to deeply review code and user experience for thorough issue detection.
- Make All Website Elements Accessible: Go beyond basic compliance by making sure that all components of your website, including images, documents, headings, buttons, tables, and interactive elements, are accessible to users of all abilities. Use semantic HTML for clear structure, provide meaningful alt text for images, organize content with proper heading levels, and label form fields accurately. For documents like PDFs, apply PDF remediation techniques to make them readable, properly tagged, and easy to navigate. Taking a comprehensive approach to accessibility not only improves usability for those relying on assistive technologies but also creates a more inclusive experience for everyone.
Working with Be Accessible helps reduce the risk of legal trouble, financial penalties, and damage to your reputation under Delaware’s digital accessibility laws. We offer in-depth website audits, reliable accessibility repairs, automated document remediation, and hands-on training customized to your team. It is about more than compliance; it is about creating a digital space everyone can use and trust.
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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