ADA Compliance in North Dakota
In North Dakota, ADA compliance is fundamental for meeting your business’s legal responsibilities. As you develop your website, step into the experience of someone with a disability and ask yourself: what features might create barriers or confusion? Design with real people in mind, build a truly inclusive digital platform that works for everyone.
North Dakota ADA Requirements
Unlike some states, North Dakota has no separate web accessibility laws beyond the ADA. Still, local groups are working to promote digital inclusion and help organizations meet federal standards.
Americans With Disabilities Act and Section 508
ADA compliance is all about making sure your website is user-friendly for people with disabilities, as laid out in the Americans with Disabilities Act. This law is here to guarantee that everyone gets equal access to public places, services, jobs, and communication.
If you own a business that is open to the public, like a store, bank, or restaurant, ADA Title III says you need to provide accessible digital experiences, no matter how big or small your team is. Also, Title I kicks in for employers who have 15 or more people regarding hiring and workplace practices.
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act focuses on federal agencies and some contractors. It says their websites, digital documents, and online tools must work for everyone, including users with disabilities.
Even though this is a federal rule, a lot of state and local governments, including North Dakota, adhere to these same guidelines to make their online services easier for everyone to access and more inclusive.
North Dakota’s Advocacy Groups for Web Accessibility
Right now, North Dakota does not have its own rules about web accessibility, but that does not mean businesses can disregard it. They still need to follow federal guidelines like the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
The good news is that there are some non-commercial groups in the state ready to help businesses meet these standards and make their websites a friendlier spot for everyone. One of these organizations is the North Dakota Association for the Disabled (NDAD). This nonprofit has been around for a bit and is all about promoting independence and equal chances for people.
Consequences of Noncompliance
In North Dakota, if businesses ignore web accessibility standards, they could be in for more than just lawsuits. Legal issues might force them to make changes, require everyone to undergo ADA training, and set them up for compliance checks, which can get pretty costly.
Even if a business has a physically accessible location, it is still at risk if its website is not friendly for users with disabilities. On top of the potential fines, damaging a business’s reputation can hurt trust within the community and lead to a loss of customer loyalty.
How To Make Sure Your Website Complies With Web Accessibility Standards
To make sure your website fully aligns with ADA web accessibility standards, implement the following user-centric strategies:
- Conduct an Accessibility Audit to Uncover Barriers: Use a reliable scanner to check your website for issues such as unreadable text, missing labels, or poor navigation. Focus on identifying what needs fixing.
- Offer Clear Instructions for Interactive Features: Explain how to use forms, buttons, or other elements in plain language. Support users with tooltips, brief guidance, or a helpful FAQ section.
In states like North Dakota, where standalone web accessibility laws are not in place, businesses can come together to create a better digital community. By partnering with Be Accessible, you gain access to thorough site audits, expert PDF remediation, smooth accessibility repairs, and personalized training and all designed to help your team build a more inclusive and user-friendly online experience.
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.
Contact Us
You're one step closer to ADA compliance.
Fields marked with * are required.