Bill Overview
Title: Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act
Description: This bill requires employers, public entities, and public accommodations that provide goods or services through a website or online application to make those websites and applications accessible to individuals with disabilities. The requirement applies even if the good or service is offered only digitally. The Department of Justice (DOJ) must issue standards of accessibility for applicable entities to meet this requirement. The bill provides for enforcement by DOJ, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and individual civil action. It also establishes various review and reporting requirements.
Sponsors: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Target Audience
Population: individuals with disabilities requiring accessible online services
Estimated Size: 85000000
- The World Health Organization estimates that over 1 billion people, or about 15% of the global population, experience some form of disability.
- Given that the bill applies to websites and online applications which are accessed globally, the entire population with internet access could potentially be considered as impacted since they interact with digital services that may need to become more accessible.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to make websites and online applications accessible to individuals with disabilities. Given that approximately 26% of adults in the US live with some type of disability, this policy targets a significant portion of the US population, focusing primarily on digital inclusivity.
- The budget constraints imply that not every platform can be modified immediately, but priority might be given to commonly used websites and large-scale public service platforms.
- Since the policy includes measures for enforcement and individual civil action, there will be an emphasis on compliance among larger and medium-sized organizations, with smaller entities taking more time to adapt due to limited resources.
- Individuals with disabilities will likely see an improvement in accessibility on the web, which may enhance their ability to access services independently, potentially improving their self-reported wellbeing over time.
- The cost of implementation and enforcement must be balanced with the potential benefits for improved digital accessibility, ensuring that the funds are effectively used to reach as many people as possible.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (California)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I often struggle with websites that are not optimized for screen readers. This policy might make my work and everyday online navigation easier.
- I worry about how quickly companies will actually comply, but knowing there is a mandate is reassuring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Freelance Designer (Texas)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved website accessibility means more equal opportunities and less discrimination.
- I'm interested to see if the policy will affect smaller businesses and their willingness to comply.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
Marketing Manager (New York)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy could drastically improve my ability to perform my job remotely and access public services.
- There's a long way to go, but this is a positive start.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Student (Illinois)
Age: 35 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although I use translation tools, accessible websites could significantly aid in my studies and research.
- I hope this leads to a broader acceptance of accessibility needs in education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Customer Service Representative (Florida)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My job might require more training on new systems, but I see the necessity.
- This could create better opportunities for my colleagues with disabilities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retail Manager (Ohio)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Simplifying website structures can greatly enhance my shopping and customer service experiences.
- I wish implementation would be faster, but this is a good change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
College Student (Massachusetts)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could positively impact my studies, as many platforms aren’t currently optimized for adaptive tech.
- It would be great to see faster progress, but at least there's a push for change now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Retired (Georgia)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Web accessibility could open more educational resources for me during retirement.
- I’m curious to see how this will expand content options for seniors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 51 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with the need for digital inclusivity and equity.
- Implementation will be key, and monitoring is crucial to measure real impacts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
IT Support Specialist (Michigan)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative is important for future generations, including my child.
- I hope the IT industry embraces these changes quickly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000000 (Low: $1000000000, High: $2000000000)
Year 2: $1200000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1600000000)
Year 3: $1100000000 (Low: $700000000, High: $1500000000)
Year 5: $1000000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $1400000000)
Year 10: $500000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $700000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $150000000)
Key Considerations
- Compliance costs will vary significantly across different sectors and organization sizes.
- Enforcement mechanisms will require significant funding and resources.
- The actual impact on accessibility and utility for users will depend on the quality and robustness of implemented standards.
- Voluntary compliance prior to finalizing enforcement standards may affect early cost estimates.