Frequently Asked Questions
What is a website, anyway?
A website is a collection of files that are saved on a computer on the internet. When you type a website's name (URL) into your browser's address bar you are sending a message to that computer requesting some of those files, and if all goes well that computer serves the files to you.
What is Web Accessibility?
Everybody experiences the internet differently. Whether you have great eyes or bad, great hearing or none, or a hand in a cast. Web Accessibility is the idea and act of designing websites that increase the ability of use and overall experience of the user, regardless of (dis)ability.
Why should I care if my website is accessible for people with disabilities?
Three reasons
1) More users
Roughly 13% of the American population has some kind of disability [1]. And about 2.4% of adults report to have some kind of visual impairment [2]. If your website is more useable, more people will use it.
2) Designing with Accessibility in mind is better for everybody
When you design anything (websites, buildings, cities) with accessibility in mind that necessarily makes the final product better. It's not just people with disabilities that will benifit from having a more accessible site. If it's easier to use for people with disabilities, it's easier to use, period.
3) Legal concerns
See the next question for more details.
Is my website legally required to be accessible?
Yes. The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) treats websites similar to how it treats public spaces (like sidewalks). So, while there is no explicit mention of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) in the ADA, the ADA (and other laws) do mandate some form of accessibility compliance for digital material, including websites. Because the WCAG is the current standard, court rulings usually default to them. And there is legal precedent for businesses being successfully sued for non-compliance. See [3], [4].
Furthermore, in May of 2023 the Deparment of Justice announced it will begin a new rulemaking proccess with the goal of more solidly codyifing technical standards and requirements for website accessibility. [5], [6]
Bottom line: If your business's site is not accessible then it is left open to lawsuits.
What's the difference between a website and an app?
The main difference between a website and an app is that a website has a 'location' on the web and you can go to it with a web browser, whereas an app is a dedicated piece of software that you download on your mobile device. But, for the most part, (nowadays anyway) they can both do all the same things.
I already have a Facebook/Twitter/Instagram page, why do I also need a website?
Trends come and go (remember MySpace?). Having a dedicated website helps ensure your online presence is perminant. Not to mention the increasing decline in trust and use in general for social media platforms at large. [7], [8]
Why should I hire you when there are plenty of website-building tools out there?
Sure, you might be able to make a website with those types of tools. But how good will it be? You can go to Home Depot and get almost everything you need to build a house from scratch, but if you're not an expert how will it turn out? Also, those website-building services are not guaranteed to be web accessible.
Are there any tax incentives for me to make my website more accessible?
Yes! The IRS can refund up to 50% for a small business (up to $5,000) expence deemed to be for the purposes of making your business more accessible in any way, including digitally. See IRS Form 8826.