ADA Compliance in Hawaii
ADA compliance in Hawaii is a legal requirement that reinforces your brand’s commitment to inclusivity and exceptional customer care. Proactively address web accessibility and build a sustainable and trustworthy business in Hawaii.
Hawaii ADA Requirements
The State of Hawaii has adopted policies and guidelines that mandate accessibility for government websites. These policies are grounded in federal laws and are designed to eliminate barriers in information technology.
Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508
The Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA of 1990, under Title III, requires all “places of public accommodation”, including retailers, doctors’ offices, malls, hotels, and ski resorts, to provide facilities and equipment accessible to individuals with disabilities. Over time, advocacy and legal action have expanded this obligation to include digital access.
Meanwhile, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act was amended by Congress in 1998 to require that electronic and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities.
On January 18, 2007, the U.S. Access Board issued a final rule mandating that all Information and Communications Technology (ICT) comply with Level A and AA success criteria of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. This applies to municipalities, public institutions, and federally funded entities nationwide.
Hawaii’s Website Accessibility Policy Guidance
Hawaii does not have its own specific laws for web accessibility. Instead, it follows federal rules to help make online spaces user-friendly for everyone.
The state sees websites as critical public resources and knows they need to work for people with disabilities. Because of this, Hawaii has established a policy through the Department of Accounting and General Services, specifically the Information and Communication Services Division (ICSD), to focus on accessibility across state agencies.
Applicability and Technical Standards
Hawaii’s Policy Guidance on Website Accessibility requires all Executive Branch departments to create intranet and internet content that everyone can access. Since the ADA does not lay out specific rules for websites, the ICSD follows Section 508 to form its guidelines.
The standards based on Section 508 include:
- Offering audio or text descriptions that go along with multimedia content
- Making sure any color-coded information is also shared through text, labels, or other visual signals
Even though Hawaii’s web accessibility rules are meant for state agencies, private businesses should consider adopting them, too. Following Section 508 guidelines can help avoid ADA lawsuits and make sites easier to use for the more than 25% of Americans with disabilities.
Consequences of Noncompliance
If you are in Hawaii and your website does not meet ADA requirements, it could get you into some big trouble both legally and financially. There has been a rise in lawsuits about website accessibility, and courts are really strict about these rules.
If you do not comply, you might end up with hefty settlement costs, be forced to revamp your website, and your brand’s reputation could take a serious hit.
How To Make Sure Your Website Complies With Accessibility Requirements
Here are some steps you can take to approach website accessibility in a way that is both proactive and forward-thinking rather than simply reacting to legal risks:
- Give Your Site a Checkup: Use reliable tools and get advice from accessibility experts to find issues like forms that are hard to read or problems for screen reader users getting around.
- Make Some Changes: Add simple alt text to your images, fix labels on forms, boost keyboard navigation, and tweak colors to meet contrast standards for individuals with visual challenges.
Hawaii is very diligent about ADA compliance, but there is no need to worry. At Be Accessible, we are here to help you integrate accessibility into your website and avoid legal liabilities. From comprehensive site audits and optimized PDF remediations to proactive accessibility repairs and specialized training courses, we support your business in meeting even the strictest web accessibility standards.
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We serve a wide range of industries from restaurants to tech companies to financial institutions and everything in between.
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