Web Accessibility Legislation in Maryland
See how your website stacks up compared to web accessibility legislation in Maryland.
An Overview of Legislation in Maryland
These requirements are as follows: the posting of an accessibility policy, employing best practices of universal usability, performing usability and color contrast testing, following the regulatory standards set forth by the Maryland Information Technology Nonvisual Access (MD IT NVA), and being W3C validated.
Disclaimer:
The information in this article is made available by Monsido ApS and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates and is for informational purposes only so as to provide its customers with a general understanding of current legal developments. It should not be construed as providing specific legal advice, and you acknowledge that no attorney/client relationship exists between you or any third party and Monsido ApS and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates. This article should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed lawyer in your jurisdiction.
What You Need To Know About Web Accessibility in Maryland
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What are the Maryland Information Technology Non Visual Access Standards?
Effective since March 1, 2005, the Maryland Information Technology Non Visual Access Regulatory Standards consist of many of the federal regulations outlined in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. It also includes a number of state-specific regulations that are not part of any federal law. The purpose of the regulations is to ‘‘ensure the nonvisual accessibility of State information technologies to citizens and State employees with disabilities’’
These standards apply to all agencies and public higher education institutions in the executive branch of State government, with some exceptions, including for institutions that exist solely for academic or research purposes. -
Are there any other requirements related to Maryland’s Accessibility Laws?
The Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) requires text equivalents be provided for all non-text elements, including video, images, and other multimedia content.
In addition, all equivalent alternatives for multimedia are required to be synchronized with their corresponding presentations. Further, closed captioning must be included for all video presentations that include sound, and audio descriptions must accompany all visual media content. -
Who do Maryland’s accessibility standards apply to?
Maryland’s accessibility laws apply to all agencies and public institutions of higher education in the Executive Branch of State government. Exceptions exist for public institutions of higher education solely for academic or research purposes,The Maryland Port Administration, The University System of Maryland, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and Morgan State University.
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What are the penalties for non-conformance?
If your website is found to be non compliant with Maryland’s accessibility regulations, you can potentially face both lawsuits and fines. If your organization receives government funding, this may also be revoked in cases where non compliance has been established.
A Few Landmark Cases in Maryland
Maryland Businesses Vulnerable to Lawsuits
Organizations in Maryland could attract a string of lawsuits if their websites fail to adhere to ADA standards.
Maryland Prisons Discriminated Against Disabled Inmates
A Florida disability rights group has claimed state prisons are failing to comply with a 2017 agreement to adhere to ADA requirements.
Maryland Legal Alert For Financial Services
There are renewed ADA compliance concerns surrounding Maryland Financial Service websites.
Resource to Help You Get Started
Web Accessibility Handbook
An Overview of the WCAG
Web Accessibility Checklist for Managers
Make Your Website Accessible With Monsido
