you can be, the better. • Test your website with actual users who are disabled. What does that mean? Typically, the ADA looks for ways you can make your website easier for those with visual limitations, physical disability (are not able to use a mouse or keyboard) or have hearing disability. Some specific examples of each are: VISUAL The viewer could have the ability to increase text sizes or magnify the screen, change background and text colors (for those who are color blind), or the ability to have the computer read Web pages out loud. For example, you should always have text behind every graphic on your page, even if it’s your logo, so it can be read aloud to the user. Is your site compatible with screen-reader technology?
This list is not all-encompass- ing; needless to say, there is a lot to ensuring a compliant website, and it may even require a complete redesign. It is always a good idea to check with your attorney and website developer to stay current on ADA compliance and any other legal requirements in your area. There have also been many arti- cles written on this subject, so edu- cate yourself, keep your website up to date, and don’t fall victim to one of these complaints — or worse — an expensive lawsuit! •
PHYSICAL Can the user tab through menus and links through their keyboard instead of the mouse? HEARING Do you provide transcripts of audio information and captioning for videos? • Hire a consultant to remediate your website. There are no plug-ins, toolbars, widgets or any other immediate ‘fixes’ that will make your website instantly accessible. Ask your consultant if your site complies with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Levels A and AA—the most common measures of what constitutes an accessible website. • Remember that some states and even some localities have their own accessibility laws, so check with your attorney to see if that might apply to your company’s site.
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Lisa G. Noon, CAE RCE is the Deputy Executive Director of the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). Members of
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NARPM receive information like this article every month through its news magazine, Residential Resource. Watch for another article on this subject in the upcoming July issue of Residential Resource for more information. To join, or learn more, visit NARPM.org/join.
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