{"id":2032511,"date":"2023-09-14T21:01:01","date_gmt":"2023-09-15T01:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-bill-that-would-help-small-business-owners-reduce-ada-website-lawsuits-to-be-reconsidered-next-year\/"},"modified":"2023-09-14T21:06:48","modified_gmt":"2023-09-15T01:06:48","slug":"california-bill-that-would-help-small-business-owners-reduce-ada-website-lawsuits-to-be-reconsidered-next-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-bill-that-would-help-small-business-owners-reduce-ada-website-lawsuits-to-be-reconsidered-next-year\/","title":{"rendered":"California to reconsider bill aiding small businesses in reducing ADA website lawsuits in 2022."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcalifornia-bill-that-would-help-small-business-owners-reduce-ada-website-lawsuits-to-be-reconsidered-next-year%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2032511&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>A California Bill Aims to Reduce Website\u2062 Accessibility Lawsuits<\/h2>\n<p>A California\u200c bill aimed at tackling website accessibility lawsuits \u2063is set to return to the California Legislature \u200bnext year. The bill, known as\u200d AB\u200c 1757, is undergoing amendments to create a standard for businesses to follow that meets international \u2062World \u200dWide Web standards and the state&#8217;s \u2062requirements, including those under \u2064the American\u200d Disabilities Act.<\/p>\n<p>The\u2062 bill, introduced by the Assembly&#8217;s Committee on Judiciary, has the potential to put\u2062 an end to lawsuits that have been financially devastating for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-appeals-to-small-business-in-expanded-bidenomics-pitch\/\" title=\"Biden targets small businesses in expanded Bidenomics pitch.\">small business \u2064owners<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h3>Related Stories<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/supreme-court-considering-if-americans-with-disabilities-act-covers-gender-dysphoria-5340396\">Supreme Court Considering If &#8216;Americans \u200bWith Disabilities \u200dAct&#8217; Covers Gender Dysphoria<\/a> &#8211; 6\/18\/2023<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/world\/stronger-protections-for-australians-with-disabilities-5491291\">Stronger Protections for Australians With\u2062 Disabilities<\/a> \u200d &#8211; 9\/13\/2023<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The bill&#8217;s \u2062<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/who-now-admits-wuhan-lab-leak-theory-is-possible\/\" title=\"WHO Now Admits Wuhan Lab Leak Theory Is Possible\">executive summary states<\/a> that it aims to encourage businesses to create websites that comply with a specified website standard, in\u2063 order \u2064to help small businesses comply with disability access laws and ensure more websites are accessible.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">Examples of websites that could be affected include those with poor color \u2064contrast, websites that\u200c rely solely on color to convey information, websites without captions on videos for the deaf, and websites\u200c that can only be navigated using \u2062a mouse or trackpad, excluding \u2062those who require a keyboard.<\/div>\n<p>Currently, businesses with non-compliant websites\u2064 can face fines of up to\u200b $4,000 under state \u200claw.<\/p>\n<p>If\u2064 passed, the proposed bill would <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-bill-that-would-help-small-business-owners-reduce-ada-website-lawsuits-to-be-reconsidered-next-year\/\" title=\"California to reconsider bill aiding small businesses in reducing ADA website lawsuits in 2022.\">hold website \u200ddevelopers directly responsible<\/a> for inaccessible \u200cwebsites,\u2062 allowing them to be sued \u200cdirectly.<\/p>\n<p>Supporters of the bill include the \u200dCalifornia Apartment Association, the California Restaurant\u200c Association, the Civil Justice Association of California, and the California \u200dCouncil of the\u2063 Blind,\u2064 among others.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"alignnone\"><figcaption>The California State Capitol building in Sacramento, Calif., on April 18, \u200b2022. (John Fredricks\/The Epoch Times)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The bill&#8217;s \u200dsupporters \u2062argue that it strikes \u200da balance between business interests\u2064 and consumer protection, \u2063providing clear direction \u2064to business\u2063 owners and helping them\u2064 avoid \u200dunnecessary lawsuits.<\/p>\n<p>However, opponents\u200b of the bill argue that the international guidelines set\u200b forth\u200c by the World \u200bWide\u2062 Web \u2063Consortium, known as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), are insufficient.<\/p>\n<p>EcomBack, a \u200cwebsite\u200c accessibility development firm, also\u2062 opposes the bill, stating that an updated version of WCAG falls short of meeting accessibility\u200b standards \u2063under the \u200dAmerican Disabilities Act.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"alignnone\"><figcaption>A woman uses her\u200b computer keyboard to type while surfing the internet in \u2062North Vancouver, B.C., on Dec., 19, 2012. (The Canadian Press\/Jonathan Hayward)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In response, the bill&#8217;s\u200c authors refute these claims, stating that WCAG guidelines have been relied upon as standards for \u200dcompliance in court settlements and \u2064consent decrees.<\/p>\n<p>A companion bill, AB 1404,\u200b authored by Assemblywoman\u2064 Wendy Carrillo, \u2063aims to\u2064 protect\u200c small businesses by \u2062requiring a \u2064written\u200b advisory to be sent to businesses sued for website accessibility issues. This advisory would\u2063 help \u2064businesses without legal counsel to\u200b be \u2064aware of lawsuits and take appropriate \u2064action.<\/p>\n<p>The companion bill\u2062 has\u200c already passed the Assembly floor unanimously and is currently making its way through various Senate\u200d committees. If it\u2064 passes the Senate floor, it will\u200c return to the Assembly for \u2064a revote.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> \u200b What steps can the bill take to protect the rights\u200b of individuals with disabilities \u200dand ensure equal \u200caccess to information and services in the digital age, while also considering the potential burden on businesses<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Argue that \u2062it would provide much-needed clarity and guidance\u200c for businesses, preventing them from being sued for minor accessibility issues. They \u2064also argue \u2064that it would incentivize businesses \u2062to make their websites accessible to all, improving the overall user experience for individuals with\u2064 disabilities.<\/p>\n<p>Opponents of the bill, on the other hand, \u200bargue\u200b that it could lead to a decrease in website\u2064 innovation, as developers may be\u200b hesitant to create new features or designs \u2063out of\u200d fear of being held liable \u200dfor accessibility issues. They also argue that the bill may burden small\u200d businesses with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/after-walking-back-pledge-to-shutter-coal-plants-biden-admin-proposes-rule-that-could-shutter-coal-plants\/\" title=\"After Walking Back Pledge To Shutter Coal Plants, Biden Admin Proposes Rule That Could Shutter Coal Plants\">additional compliance costs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Proponents\u2064 of the \u2062bill emphasize that it is necessary to protect the\u200d rights\u2063 of individuals with disabilities and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bipartisan-senators-introduce-bill-to-protect-college-athletes\/\" title=\"Bipartisan Senators propose bill for safeguarding college athletes.\">ensure equal access<\/a> to information and services in the digital age. They argue that the bill promotes inclusivity \u2063and diversity, which aligns with \u2062California&#8217;s values.<\/p>\n<p>Critics of the bill, however, argue \u200cthat it \u2062could\u200c lead to a surge in lawsuits as individuals \u2064or advocacy groups may\u2064 exploit the legislation for personal gain. They\u2064 argue that \u2062it\u200b could create a legal environment that encourages frivolous\u2063 lawsuits rather \u2063than \u200cpromoting genuine accessibility improvements.<\/p>\n<p>The bill \u2062has sparked\u2062 debate\u200d among \u200clawmakers, \u2063disability rights\u2063 advocates,\u200c business owners, and web developers. It highlights the \u2062ongoing challenge of balancing \u200cthe need for accessibility with the potential \u200dfinancial \u2063and legal burdens it may impose on \u200cbusinesses.<\/p>\n<p>As the bill undergoes \u200camendments, it is crucial for stakeholders to actively engage in discussions and provide\u200c input \u2062to\u2062 ensure that the final legislation strikes a fair balance between \u2063accessibility\u200d requirements and the concerns of businesses.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, \u2063the \u200cgoal of the bill is to\u200b reduce website accessibility lawsuits while promoting inclusivity and ensuring equal \u2064access \u2063for \u200dindividuals with disabilities. \u2063It remains to \u200cbe seen how the proposed legislation will \u2064evolve and whether it will effectively address the challenges faced by businesses and individuals alike.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A California bill aiming to decrease website accessibility lawsuits will be revised and brought back to the state legislature next year. AB 1757, introduced by the Assembly&#8217;s Committee on Judiciary, seeks to establish a global standard for businesses to ensure their websites are user-friendly for individuals with disabilities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1349,"featured_media":2032512,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2032511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2032511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1349"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2032511"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2032511\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2032512"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2032511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2032511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2032511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}