8% of web users need accessibility options, and brokers who have inaccessible websites run the risk of being sued as lawsuits continue in the state. But what does ‘accessible’ mean? A Florida Realtors video offers advice on the legal and technological requirements.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – which turns 30 this week – Realtors have a duty to make sure every American has an equal ability to access and use their website. An accessible website is not only the right thing to do, it’s also important for those who wish to avoid lawsuits alleging violations of ADA rules. In Florida, those lawsuits continue to be filed.

But what does accessible mean?

Eric Stegemann, CEO of Tribus, a custom brokerage platform vendor, told HousingWire that about 8% of the U.S. population relies on an “accessibility setting” when they visit websites. Accessibility settings offer a range of options for various disabilities, but one example is a robotic voice that reads the content of a webpage for users who cannot clearly see the writing. However, the range of disabilities is much broader than visitors who are sight impaired.

“The reason why accessibility isn’t just about what you consider blind people or handicapped is that it can also be your grandma or grandpa,” Stegemann said recently to HousingWire. “They can’t easily read small text on a website. What it comes down to is that you need to make sure your website is working for all of these different folks because you’re essentially turning off close to 10% of your potential business if you don’t.”

Stegemann says brokers should educate themselves on “what it means to be accessible.”

Florida Realtors worked with Promet Source to create a video, ADA Website Compliance: A Webinar for Realtors, that guides members through the legal aspects of ADA website requirements, and what must should be done to make a website ADA compliant.

One challenge with ADA compliance focuses on changing technology – and if browser and computer technology changes, ADA compliant features must often be updated too. In addition, a fully compliant ADA feature on one web browser, such as Safari, might be glitchy or unworkable on another browser, such as Firefox.

Source: “Q&A: Why It’s Important to Make Real Estate Websites Accessible to All,” HousingWire; and Information Inc.

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