What policies may apply to this organization?
The following questions help to identify applicable policies and the
potential implications critical to the developing an organization's case
for Web accessibility. This process parallels the ecomonic, social, or
technical factors affecting organizational policy development.
- Is Web accessibility current required for this type of
organization?
- Some governments may not have laws that are specific
to Web accessibility. Nevertheless, they may have
applicable regulations, directives, or other requirements,
based on other relevant laws or policies. For example,
general anti-discrimination legislation or general
information and communications technology policies may
contain components relevant to Web Accessibility.
- Are there specified guidelines, conformance levels,
and dates for compliance?
- Where guidelines are specified, the specified minimum
conformance level and conformance date should be met.
- Note that applicable guidelines may also cover
accessibility of Web software as well as Web sites.
- Are the requirements adequate to meet the need of
people with disabilities?
- Required guidelines or minimum conformance level may
not adequately meet the needs of the Web site's users. In
that case, additional conformance levels should be
considered.
- What are the liabilities for failing to comply
applicable policies?
- Accessible Web site design may be less expensive than
the organization's legal exposure that could result from
an inaccessible site.
- What if existing policies might not presently be
applicable but later become applicable?
- Again, accessible Web site design is generally less
expensive than potential litagation resulting from an
inaccessible site.
- It may be more efficient to build accessibility at the
design stage rather than later the development cycle for
Web sites.