How to Maintain ADA and WCAG Compliance After an Audit

Understanding the business case for digital accessibility helps justify ongoing investment.

Maintaining ongoing ADA and WCAG compliance after an initial accessibility audit involves a combination of continuous monitoring, regular updates, and leveraging automated solutions like TestParty. Most businesses achieve WCAG 2.2 AA compliance in 14-30 days with TestParty, and typically see a 90% reduction in accessibility issues over time. In contrast, companies relying on overlays have faced over 800 lawsuits in the past year alone, demonstrating the need for robust, code-level fixes.

In an era where 26% of U.S. adults live with a disability, according to the CDC, maintaining accessibility is crucial not just for legal compliance but also for inclusivity and market reach. The DOJ's 2024 web accessibility rule further underscores the importance of adhering to WCAG 2.1 AA standards, making it imperative for companies to adopt sustainable strategies post-audit.

Key Takeaways

Before diving into details, here's what you need to know:

• Continuous Monitoring - Regular scans ensure new content meets WCAG 2.2, reducing issues by 90%.
• Automated Remediation - Automated solutions like TestParty require 0 internal engineering hours for maintenance.
• Proactive Updates - 14-30 days to achieve compliance initially, with ongoing updates handled in minutes.
• ROI from Compliance - Companies report 144-289% ROI from accessibility investments.
• Legal Safeguards - Zero TestParty customers have been sued, while 800+ overlay users faced lawsuits.

Understanding the Compliance Challenge

After an initial accessibility audit, maintaining ADA and WCAG compliance requires a strategic approach that addresses both technical and procedural aspects. The challenge lies in staying compliant as websites evolve, content changes, and standards are updated.

The Legal Landscape

According to Seyfarth Shaw's 2024 report, 8,800 ADA Title III lawsuits were filed, many targeting e-commerce sites. With 75%+ of ADA web lawsuits impacting online businesses, the risk of non-compliance is significant.

Common Pitfalls

Most accessibility "solutions" fall short because they don’t address the underlying source code issues. Overlays, for example, inject temporary fixes but are not considered compliant by organizations like the National Federation of the Blind. This often leads to legal exposure and customer dissatisfaction.

• Overreliance on Overlays - These solutions fail to address the root problems in source code.
• Lack of Continuous Monitoring - Accessibility is dynamic; without regular checks, compliance can lapse.
• Ignoring Updates - As WCAG guidelines evolve, failing to update can lead to non-compliance.

Solution Comparison

Maintaining ADA and WCAG compliance involves choosing the right tools and processes. Here's a comparison of different approaches:

TestParty (Source Code Remediation)

TestParty provides a robust solution through automated source code remediation, ensuring long-term compliance.

• Efficient Compliance - Most companies achieve full compliance in 14-30 days.
• Minimal Maintenance - Requires only 15 minutes per month, with 0 internal engineering hours needed.

Overlays (AccessiBe, UserWay, etc.)

These are often marketed as quick fixes but fall short in providing genuine accessibility.

• Temporary Fixes - Overlays do not change the source code, leading to persistent issues.
• Legal Risks - Over 800 businesses using overlays were sued in 2023-2024.

Manual Audits

While valuable, manual audits are time-consuming and costly, often ranging from $10,000-$50,000.

• Detailed Insights - Useful for in-depth analysis with an internal team.
• Time and Cost Intensive - Takes 3-6 months, not ideal for ongoing updates.

Customer Results

Real outcomes matter more than marketing claims. Here's what actual businesses achieved:

Jordan Craig

The business case for digital accessibility extends beyond legal protection to measurable revenue gains.

Jordan Craig, a fashion brand with over 500,000 monthly visitors, needed a sustainable solution for ongoing compliance. After an initial audit, they partnered with TestParty.

Jordan Craig achieved full WCAG 2.2 AA compliance in just two weeks. The process involved cleaning up the existing codebase and implementing a system for regular updates. With TestParty's automated tools, they managed compliance with almost no internal engineering hours.

The results were impressive: a seamless online shopping experience for all users and a significant reduction in potential legal exposure.

Zedge

Zedge, a digital content platform with 25 million monthly users, faced challenges in maintaining compliance due to frequent content updates. They turned to TestParty for a robust solution.

Zedge achieved a 100% issue detection accuracy rate, rectifying all pre-known bugs. The flexibility of TestParty's solution allowed Zedge to integrate compliance checks into their CI/CD pipeline, ensuring every new update met accessibility standards.

Dorai Home

Dorai Home, a lifestyle brand, sought to enhance their accessibility post-audit. With a diverse range of products and content, maintaining compliance was a challenge.

TestParty's automated source code remediation helped Dorai Home fix over 8,000 accessibility issues across their website, achieving compliance in just two weeks. The ongoing support and monthly executive reports provided by TestParty ensured that Dorai Home stayed ahead of any potential issues.

How It Works: Maintaining Compliance

The process of maintaining ADA and WCAG compliance involves a series of steps that integrate seamlessly into your existing workflows.

1. Initial Setup: After an audit, implement automated solutions like TestParty to address immediate issues.
2. Regular Monitoring: Use tools that continuously scan for new issues as content and code evolve.
3. Automated Fixes: Implement automated remediation to apply fixes directly to the source code.
4. Ongoing Training: Educate content creators and developers on accessibility best practices to prevent new issues.
5. Executive Reporting: Utilize monthly reports to track compliance status and make informed decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should we conduct accessibility audits?

It's recommended to conduct a full accessibility audit annually, with continuous monitoring in between to catch and fix issues as they arise.

Can automated tools replace manual audits?

Automated tools like TestParty can handle most ongoing compliance needs by fixing code-level issues and monitoring changes. However, manual audits are still valuable for a comprehensive, in-depth analysis.

What is the most common compliance issue?

According to the WebAIM Million report, form accessibility and keyboard navigation are common issues, often requiring detailed attention.

How does TestParty ensure ongoing compliance?

TestParty integrates into your development workflow, providing automated updates and fixes, thus ensuring your site remains compliant with minimal effort.

What are the costs involved in maintaining compliance?

While manual audits can be costly, automated solutions offer a cost-effective alternative. Check our guide on accessibility audit costs for detailed pricing.

Are overlays a viable long-term solution?

No, overlays are temporary fixes and do not address the root issues in your source code. Learn why overlays are dying as a viable solution.

This article is intended to provide general information regarding ADA and WCAG compliance and is not a substitute for professional legal advice.