Speaker, Clear Law Institute Webinar, "Navigating ADA Website Accessibility Claims"

Events

June 14, 2018 | 1:00 PM - June 14, 2018 | 2:15 PM EST

Increasingly, companies face threat of legal action based on the claim that their websites and/or mobile applications are inaccessible to disabled users. Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires places of public accommodation, such as hotels, shopping centers, retailers, health care providers, restaurants, and private educational institutions to maintain facilities accessible to the disabled. Most businesses understand their obligations to make their physical facilities accessible under the ADA. However, today, many do not realize ADA accessibility may involve more than compliance with architectural and structural requirements for physical facilities. Companies may also be required to ensure their websites and mobile applications are accessible to the disabled.

In the past few years, thousands of lawsuits have been filed against companies, primarily in the retail, hospitality, and financial services industries, alleging that the companies’ websites were inaccessible to disabled users. Many of these lawsuits are styled as class actions. The exposure in these cases entails not only an injunction to compel remediation of the website, but also defense costs and an award of the claimants’ attorneys’ fees.

Accordingly, it is important for today’s businesses and defense counsel to address the need for ADA website accessibility and develop strategies to mitigate exposure. In this practical webinar, you will outline the issues and current law surrounding website accessibility, determine the threats facing businesses, and discuss ways to mitigate these threats.

Upon course completion, you will be able to describe:

  • The nature of ASA Website accessibility claims, including their statutory and regulatory basis
  • How a select group of plaintiffs and law firms are using the threat of legal action over website accessibility to leverage quick settlements from companies
  • Current regulations and guidance from the DOJ and how this guidance factors into the threat of legal action and your response
  • How the courts are dealing with website accessibility claims, including how different jurisdictions have addressed claim viability and available defenses
  • How to respond effectively to a website accessibility claim
  • How to mitigate the threat of legal action based on website inaccessibility, including proactive measures

For additional information or to register, click here.