Rule brings stronger grounds for enforcement
requiring Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) for websites
and mobile applications
TUCSON,
Ariz., May 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AudioEye,
Inc. (Nasdaq: AEYE) ("AudioEye" or the "Company"),
the industry-leading digital accessibility platform, formally
announces its support of the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) final rule bolstering
protections for individuals with disabilities under Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act.
The rule, titled "Discrimination on the Basis of Disability
in Health and Human Service Programs or Activities,"
ensures that web content and mobile applications provided by
organizations that receive funding from HHS, including hospitals,
doctor's offices, social services, nursing homes, etc. are usable
by people with disabilities.
"Today's rule is long overdue. My office heard from thousands in
overwhelming support of this rule and the need to update this rule
now for people with disabilities," said HHS OCR Director
Melanie Fontes Rainer. "By removing
barriers to health care and social services, this rule advances
justice for people with disabilities who have for too long been
subject to discrimination."
"Closely following the Department of Justice's final rule on web
accessibility announced on April 8th,
this rule underscores the need for equal opportunities for
individuals with disabilities on the Internet," said David Moradi, CEO of AudioEye. "We recently
scanned over 96,000 healthcare website pages across the United States and found that the average
page had an alarming number of violations – 84 accessibility
issues. The sheer scale of this problem can only be fixed through a
combination of artificial intelligence and human-assisted
technology, backed by testing from members of the disability
community."
The rule outlines specific digital accessibility requirements,
including:
- Federal financial assistance recipients must adhere to WCAG
2.1, Level AA, as the technical standard for web content and mobile
applications.
- The updated rule applies to all website content and mobile
applications provided by a recipient from the Department of Health
and Human Services.
- Websites and mobile applications built or operated by a third
party on behalf of a recipient must also adhere to this rule.
"When the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was enacted, the digital
world we now depend on for everyday use was non-existent," said
Tony Coelho, the primary sponsor of
the Americans with Disabilities Act and a member of AudioEye's
board of directors. "As noted by HHS, recent research of more than
100 top hospitals across the United
States found that less than 5% complied with web content
accessibility guidelines. This is unacceptable, and I'm confident
this rule will accelerate the push to make websites and mobile
applications accessible to all."
The timeline for compliance varies based on the size of the
organization. Beginning May 11,
organizations with 15 or more employees must ensure web content and
mobile application compliance. Organizations with less than 15
employees will have until May 10,
2027.
About AudioEye
AudioEye exists to ensure the
digital future we build is inclusive. By combining the latest AI
automation technology with guidance from certified experts and
direct input from the disability community, AudioEye
helps ensure businesses of all sizes — including over 112,000
customers like Samsung, Calvin
Klein, and Samsonite — are accessible and
usable. Holding 22 US patents, AudioEye helps
companies solve every aspect of digital accessibility with flexible
approaches that best meet their needs — from finding and removing
barriers to navigating legal compliance to ongoing training,
monitoring, and upkeep. Join AudioEye on its
mission to eradicate barriers to digital access.
Media Contact
Sierra
Thomas
Public Relations
press@audioeye.com
Investor Contact
Tom
Colton or Luke
Johnson
Gateway Group, Inc.
AEYE@gateway-grp.com
949-574-3860
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SOURCE AudioEye, Inc.