Target Shooting Inaccessible Stores

Will this case create new jobs for writers and information architects?

The court thus rejected Target’s argument that only its physical store locations were covered by the civil rights laws, ruling instead that all services provided by Target, including its Web site, must be accessible to persons with disabilities.

It should. Two issues mentioned:

  • compliant alt-text

    Paper catalogues often include lush descriptions alongside expertly photographed products. So if alt-text is required, why not go all the way and hire talented writers to describe your products online too?

  • inaccessible image maps and other graphical features

    Yet another challenge for diehard WYSIWYG-ers. With static pages gone the way of the newspaper–into the recycle bin–it’s time to replace your “web designer” with an information architect. Kill two birds with one stone: SEO and accessibility go hand in hand.

Time to update your websites!

…the court clarified that the law requires that any place of public accommodation is required to ensure that it does not discriminate when it uses the internet as a means to enhance the services it offers at a physical location.