Summary  
This chapter explains the legal and ethical obligations for ensuring accessibility in code, covering compliance with anti-discrimination laws and the importance of inclusive design.  

General domain of usage  
Web development

Understanding your legal and social responsibilities regarding web accessibility is essential in today's digital landscape. Organizations are increasingly required by law to ensure their digital content is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. These legal responsibilities stem from anti-discrimination laws and regulations, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States and similar legislation worldwide. Failure to comply can result in lawsuits, financial penalties, and lasting reputational harm. Beyond legal compliance, there is an ethical obligation to foster inclusivity and equal access, ensuring everyone can participate fully in the digital world.

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Why is it important for organizations to provide accessible digital content?

What can happen if a company fails to meet accessibility requirements, as shown in the case study?

Gain a clear understanding of the principles, standards, and legal frameworks that make the web accessible to all users. Explore global guidelines like WCAG and WAI ARIA, learn how assistive technologies interpret digital content, and identify common barriers that affect real users. Build the skills needed to evaluate and improve accessibility, creating digital experiences that are inclusive, compliant, and usable across diverse contexts.

Explore what web accessibility means and why it matters. Understand who benefits from inclusive design, how it impacts users and society, and what legal responsibilities guide accessible development.

Discover the foundational POUR principles—Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust—and learn how they guide accessible web design. Identify common barriers and practical ways to remove them.

Examine the key international frameworks that define accessibility standards. Understand WCAG guidelines, conformance levels, and the role of WAI ARIA and global legal policies in ensuring compliance.

Understand how assistive technologies interact with web content and support diverse user needs. Explore how thoughtful design and real user testing lead to more inclusive digital experiences.

Assess websites for accessibility and interpret audit results effectively. Apply improvement strategies and analyze a practical case study to see accessibility in action.

Legal and Social Responsibilities

1. Why is it important for organizations to provide accessible digital content?

2. What can happen if a company fails to meet accessibility requirements, as shown in the case study?

Legal and Social Responsibilities

1. Why is it important for organizations to provide accessible digital content?

2. What can happen if a company fails to meet accessibility requirements, as shown in the case study?