Pub. 1 Issue 4

23 Julie A. Cardosi is Principal of the private firm, Law Office of Julie A. Cardosi, P.C., of Springfield, Illinois. She has practiced law for over 30 years and represents the business interests of franchised motor vehicle dealers throughout Illinois. Formerly in-house staff legal counsel for the Illinois Automobile Dealers Association, she concentrates her private practice in the areas of dealership mergers and ac- quisitions and other transfers of ownership, franchise law, commercial real estate transfers, state and federal regulatory compliance matters, and other areas impacting day-to-day dealership business operations. She has also served as former Illinois Assistant Attorney General and Deputy Chief of the Consumer Fraud Bureau of the Attorney General’s Office. The material discussed in this article is for general information only and is not intend- ed as legal advice and should not be acted upon as such. Dealers should consult their own private legal counsel for application to their specific circumstances. For more information, Julie can be reached at jcardosi@autocounsel.com , or at 217-787-9782, ext. 1. Nationally recognized law firm specializing in protecting the interests of auto dealers. 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1000 McLean, Virginia 22102 (703) 564-0220 Toll Free: (877) 722-7529 www.cwattorneys.com Offices in McLean, VA, Bethesda, MD, Washington DC and Richmond, VA Guidelines 2.0, Level AA requirements (WCAG 2.0) estab- lished by the World Wide Web Consortium. These guidelines are designed to make website content more accessible to per- sons with disabilities, including, without limitation, physical, speech, visual, hearing, learning, and other disabilities. WCAG 2.0 outlines several principles for website accessible design indicating that websites must be: perceivable (e.g., users must be able to perceive the information being presented); operable (e.g., users must be able to operate the interface); understandable (e.g., users must be able to understand the information and the operation of the user interface); and robust (e.g., users must be able to access the content as technologies advance). Businesses might utilize these guidelines to help correct any existing web-based accessibility barriers to ensure web content is accessible. An important aspect these guidelines impart for business compliance is to ensure that disabled persons can access the company’s goods, services, and benefits through the website of the business. Dealerships might also discuss web accessibility with their third-party website vendors and review website and mobile applications with their legal counsel, their insurers and their franchisors (particularly with respect to manufacturer spon- sored or required websites). Consideration should also be given to development and implementation of a plan to update and improve accessibility recommendations. Additionally, dealerships might consider establishing website and mobile application content policies to provide for regular monitor- ing and remedial steps to ensure accessibility, along with proper dealership staff training. While there is not a “cookie-cutter” for- mula for website accessibility compliance, and while many website solutions might be costly for some dealerships, businesses should consult with their trusted web content advisors and other advisors to ensure website and mobile applications are accessible.