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Accessibility Addendum

Background

Ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has become increasingly important for businesses and their websites. Some organizations have faced legal action due to non-compliance with the ADA’s accessibility standards. By enhancing website accessibility and adhering to ADA requirements, a website not only becomes more user-friendly for a wider audience but also helps mitigate the risk of accessibility-related legal issues.

For additional information on web accessibility and updates to the guidelines, please refer to the following resources:

Section 508

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

Gecko Designs adheres to best practices when developing websites, including integrating features to meet the ADA’s accessibility standards.

Recommendation

We recommend that all client websites conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 Level AA (WCAG 2.2 Level AA) to increase the likelihood of compliance with ADA accessibility requirements.

WCAG 2.2 Level AA Services

To align a website with WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards, Gecko Designs will perform the following tasks (collectively referred to as the “Accessibility Services”):

  • Conduct a comprehensive audit of the website using web accessibility tools
  • Address specific accessibility issues and warnings, which may include:
    • Screen reader compatibility
    • Keyboard navigability
    • Color contrast 
    • Form accessibility and aria labels
    • Semantic tags and tag order
    • Image alt text
  • Test the website with accessibility tools

The cost of these Accessibility Services is incorporated into the relevant Scope of Work under Estimated Development Costs.

Clients have the option to exclude the Accessibility Services from the Scope of Work at their discretion.

Disclaimer

If applicable, Gecko Designs is developing Client’s website using a content management system that enables Client to make changes independently. Client acknowledges that the results of any accessibility testing conducted during the Accessibility Services reflect a snapshot of the website’s compliance with WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards at that particular time. Gecko Designs is not responsible for maintaining compliance with WCAG 2.2 Level AA if the website is altered by Client post-completion of the Accessibility Services.

Gecko Designs does not guarantee ADA compliance for any Client website. Client remains fully responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including the ADA.

Indemnification

Client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Gecko Designs, including its officers, directors, agents, and employees, from any and all losses, damages, expenses, or costs (including legal fees) resulting from claims related to the Americans with Disabilities Act or other statutes or regulations, asserting that Client’s website(s) is/are not accessible.

Note: If you prefer to opt out of this agreement, please sign, and submit the opt-out addendum below

Please note that the accessibility testing performed as part of the Accessibility Services represents a snapshot of the Client’s website’s adherence to WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards at the time of the assessment. Gecko Designs is not liable for maintaining compliance with these standards if the website is modified by the Client after the Accessibility Services are completed. Additionally, Gecko Designs does not guarantee ADA compliance for any Client website. The Client remains fully responsible for ensuring that their website complies with all applicable laws and regulations, including the ADA.

Indemnification

The Client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Gecko Designs, including its officers, directors, agents, and employees, from any and all losses, damages, expenses, or costs (including legal fees) resulting from any claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act or other relevant statutes or regulations, asserting that the Client’s website(s) is/are not accessible.

Opt-Out

By signing below, the Client acknowledges and agrees to waive the Accessibility Services as outlined in this Website Accessibility Addendum and accepts that Gecko Designs will not be responsible for providing these services.

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Gecko Designs
523 N Higgins Ave, Missoula
4.9
5
Michael Sweet 4 months ago
The Converge Foundation team really enjoyed working with Gecko Designs. It was our first foray into a professional website, and we had lots of ideas and much to consider. The folks at Gecko guided us through the process and we ended with a product that not only met our needs but was visually pleasing and easy to navigate. Our foundation works with a wide array of persons with varying abilities, so it was important for our foundation to have a website that was accessible. Gecko had the tools and background to support that objective.
5
Colleen Gallagher 5 months ago
After experiencing severe email deliverability issues for weeks, which is a huge problem for a small business, Gecko Designs was able to jump in and immediately uncover what was wrong and resolve the problems. They were extremely professional and helpful and I'm very grateful they got us up and running smoothly again.
5
Mackenzie Cole 5 months ago
We've worked with Gecko for nearly a decade. They've delivered two complicated sites for us and are always quick to help when we have a request or bump into an issue. They're great to work with, responsive, and solution oriented!
5
Katy Doss 5 months ago
We found Gecko Designs when we were in a huge bind with another website developer. Gecko jumped in and handled a huge technical project for our agency, and was a true pleasure to work with. We appreciated the thoughtfulness they brought to the project, and look forward to working with them again!
5
Jessica Zephyrs 5 months ago
Gecko took over a very complicated project when another agency wasn't able to finish, and we are very pleased with the partnership. The team is knowledgeable, efficient, excellent communicators, and adept problem solvers. So happy to be working with them.