AudioEye Web Accessibility

Does the AudioEye Toolkit replace a screen reader or other Assistive Technology?

• The AudioEye Toolbar does not replace a screen reader or other Assistive Technology (AT). The Toolbar is a customizable usability tool with features similar to many types of AT; however, users of assistive technology dedicate a lot of time customizing and learning how to use their particular tools, so it is unlikely that anyone with their own assistive tool would utilize the AudioEye Toolbar instead. The Toolbar does provide other elements users may wish to interact with should they want to explore its features, including submitting an accessibility barrier via the Help Desk.

What is WCAG?

• The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are part of a series of web accessibility guidelines published by the Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium, the main international standards organization for the Internet. They are a set of recommendations for making Web content more accessible.

What standards does AudioEye use to test for accessibility?

• AudioEye tests against W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 success criteria for levels A and AA. Our goal is to help you achieve WCAG 2.1 AA conformance, which is the international industry standard.

What does digital accessibility compliance mean?

• In general, “compliance,” as it relates to digital accessibility, refers to compliance with regulations and laws. As it relates to legal demand letters relating to digital accessibility, “compliance” refers to the actions a company is taking to address or comply with the demands. While AudioEye always recommends seeking legal counsel in the event a demand letter is received regarding digital accessibility, in general, once you begin the process of addressing – or complying with – the demands outlined, and you detail these actions in your response through legal counsel, you are working toward compliance and therefore, generally eliminating your risk as it pertains to the legal demand letter. That is, of course, assuming you complete the process of making your website accessible.

Am I legally required to make my website accessible?

• Yes, though the level of risk depends on your jurisdiction. For businesses in the U.S., the Department of Justice has publicly stated that the Americans with Disabilities Act ADA applies to websites. It applies equally to all businesses, regardless of their size or type, so businesses ranging from e-commerce websites, service websites, real estate, restaurants and more would fall within the scope of the ADA. While not all courts view the severity of non-compliance in the same way, accessibility lawsuits and demand letters are sharply on the rise. Courts often rule in favor of websites needing to be more accessible.
• In Canada, the Accessible Canadians Act demands that all federally regulated employers meet WCAG accessibility standards. You’ll also need to publish an accessibility plan and update it every three years. And, The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requires that government entities, businesses, and non-profits commit to digital accessibility and report progress every two to three years. To meet regulatory requirements, you need proof of digital accessibility. 

Does AudioEye support multiple languages?

• Yes, the Visual Toolkit is offered in English, Spanish, and French.

What types of disabilities are affected by digital accessibility?

• In addition to people with vision impairment, accessibility also greatly benefits those who have impaired mobility, are prone to seizures, have a learning or developmental disability, have hearing loss, or who are aging.