Borough Park Website Accessibility - City Bylaws

Technology and Data New York 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 21, 2026 Flag of New York

Overview

Borough Park, New York businesses and organizations that operate websites must follow city and federal accessibility obligations and adopt best practices to avoid discrimination claims and service disruptions. This guide summarizes applicable city-level guidance, enforcement pathways, and concrete steps site owners should take in Borough Park to improve digital access for people with disabilities.

Start with an accessibility audit to find and fix major barriers.

Requirements and Standards

There is no separate Borough Park municipal code for web accessibility distinct from New York City or federal requirements. City agencies publish accessibility guidance and technical requirements for municipal websites; private websites are primarily governed by federal and state disability laws enforced through complaint and litigation processes.

  • Follow recognized technical standards such as WCAG 2.1 AA where required by agency guidance.
  • Maintain accessibility statements and contact points for reporting barriers.
  • Provide alternative access channels (phone, email) and ensure staff can respond to access requests.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for website accessibility claims affecting Borough Park websites can occur under city anti-discrimination law, state human rights law, or the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The specific monetary penalties for web-accessibility violations are not specified on the cited municipal guidance pages cited below.[1][3]

  • Fines and civil penalties: not specified on the cited city guidance pages; federal enforcement remedies vary by statute and case.[1]
  • Injunctions and corrective orders: courts or enforcement agencies may order remediation and monitoring; particular timeframes or amounts are not specified on the cited municipal pages.
  • Complaints may lead to investigation by the NYC Commission on Human Rights or state/federal agencies; administrative or civil proceedings are possible.[2]
  • Non-monetary sanctions can include mandatory remediation plans, reporting requirements, or court-ordered accessibility work.
File complaints promptly; some agency review or court deadlines apply.

Applications & Forms

There is no single Borough Park form for web accessibility complaints. To report discrimination or accessibility barriers, use the complaint processes of the relevant enforcement agency listed below. If a specific municipal remediation form is required, it is not specified on the cited city guidance pages.[2]

Common Violations

  • Missing alt text on images.
  • Nonkeyboard navigation and inaccessible forms.
  • Videos without captions or transcripts.
Many violations can be fixed quickly with targeted updates and testing.

Action Steps

  • Conduct a WCAG 2.1 AA audit and document findings.
  • Create or update an accessibility statement and contact point.
  • Remediate high-impact issues first, then implement a continuous testing program.
  • If you receive a complaint, respond promptly and follow the agency guidance for the relevant jurisdiction.

FAQ

Who enforces website accessibility for Borough Park sites?
Enforcement may occur through New York City agencies, the New York State Division of Human Rights, or federal enforcement under the ADA; municipal guidance pages name city offices and complaint routes.[2]
Are there set fines for inaccessible websites?
Specific fine amounts are not specified on the cited municipal guidance pages; penalties depend on the enforcing agency and legal process.[1]
How do I file a complaint about an inaccessible website?
Use the complaint form or process of the relevant enforcement agency listed below; city complaint procedures are provided on agency pages.[2]

How-To

  1. Run an automated accessibility scan and compile a prioritized issue list.
  2. Manually test critical pages for keyboard operation and screen-reader access.
  3. Remediate issues starting with the most-used pages and user flows.
  4. Publish an accessibility statement and provide an easy reporting channel.
  5. Set a recurring schedule for audits and user testing with people with disabilities.

Key Takeaways

  • Follow WCAG-based auditing and remediation as standard practice.
  • Provide clear reporting channels and respond promptly to complaints.
  • Document work and retain records of remediation and testing.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doitt/initiatives/accessibility.page
  2. [2] https://www.nyc.gov/site/cchr/index.page
  3. [3] https://www.ada.gov/

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