365 Connect, a provider of marketing, leasing and resident service platforms for the multifamily housing industry, has renewed its platform-wide ADA Accessibility Certification. This continuing certification demonstrates 365 Connect’s dedication to leading the industry in digital inclusion, while delivering compliant solutions for its clients, the company said.
Website accessibility has become a massive issue in the multifamily housing space and beyond, with a growing number ADA lawsuits alleging that websites, mobile apps and digital content are failing to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Multifamily operators sit at the top of the high-risk list, as housing is a highly regulated industry and serves as the model for non-discrimination under an array of federal, state, and local laws.
“Today, over one billion people globally have some form of a disability that makes accessing the web difficult,” stated Kerry W. Kirby, CEO of 365 Connect. “We live in an interconnected world, one that is reliant on the Internet to deliver services and resources through multiple channels. As physical buildings utilize their websites to transact and interact with prospective and existing customers, these services must be accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities.”
Certified by an independent accessibility auditing firm, the 365 Connect platform complies with the federally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and is recertified semiannually for ongoing compliance. The certification covers the entire platform, including property websites, lead forms, chatbots, tour requests, rental applications, portals and payments. 365 Connect achieved WCAG Level 2.1 AA conformance, which stands at the top percentile of compliance.
“For years, multifamily operators have prioritized physical accommodations for people with disabilities. Now, the need for inclusion has extended to the digital sphere,” Kirby said. “There are no quick fix solutions; you must build compliance into the foundation of your technology, just as you would in a physical building. As the world continues to become increasingly digitally dependent, technology adoption repeatedly proves itself as a defining factor in human progress. It is our responsibility, as a society, to ensure that no one is left in the dark.”
