California has long had strict digital accessibility laws. According to Equidox, the state has filed more digital accessibility lawsuits than any other state, four times as many, to be specific. This surge in litigation highlights California’s commitment to ensuring equal access to digital content for all Californians. In addition to these lawsuits, the California legislature is also working on a new bill that would create clear guidelines for accessibility.
One of the most significant pieces of proposed legislation is California Assembly Bill 1757, or AB 1757, which aims to make websites and mobile apps more accessible to people with disabilities. If passed, the law would require platforms to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. The passage of AB 1757 would be significant because it’s the first time that a state has codified WCAG 2.1 as a standard. Key provisions of the bill include providing synchronized captions for live audio, audio descriptions for prerecorded video, accessible documents on websites, and more. In addition, AB 1757 does not include a transition period to comply with the legislation. This means that if the bill passes, businesses will be immediately required for their digital content to be compliant with the WCAG 2.1 standards. Currently, AB 1757 is in the California legislature and is expected to return to the government’s floor some time in 2024.
For those of you outside of California, you may be wondering how or if this is important to you. While AB 1757 is a California law, it’s impact would be felt nationwide. Businesses across the county who engage with California residents would be required to adhere to the WCAG 2.1 standards. Not only businesses, but any website that is accessed in California could fall under the bill’s scope. In today’s interconnected digital world, this would impact websites from all fifty states and internationally. This legislation underscores the importance of universal digital accessibility.
The introduction of AB 1757 is part of a broader trend toward enhancing digital accessibility for those with disabilities. As more and more states enact legislation, as lawsuits proliferate, and as the United States government continues to refine the Americans with Disabilities Act and the WCAG standards, digital accessibility compliance will continue to become more important for companies. Even if you aren’t required to make your content accessible, it will benefit you by opening up your content to a new customer base while demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity. Plus, it’s not just the law, it’s the right thing to do!
Splash Box Marketing is here to help you make all your content accessible. To get help in starting your accessibility journey, contact us at info@splashbox.com or by visiting our website at splashbox.com.
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