ODR Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities: We Must Do Better

Court systems, government agencies, private businesses, mediators, and arbitrators are feeling tremendous pressure to provide online dispute resolution (ODR) systems because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As they rush to design and implement ODR systems, however, it is critical that everyone makes digital accessibility a priority. Because many aspects of our lives may remain online for the long term, it is important that persons with disabilities are not excluded from our “new normal” version of life. Effective access to dispute resolution processes is one part of life that must remain accessible to persons with disabilities. We cannot dismiss these features as mere details that can be added later. It is more efficient to include accessibility features when an online platform is first being designed and constructed. And more importantly, if the plan is simply to add those design features later, sometimes “later” never arrives. This chapter discusses best practices for ODR accessibility, relevant law, and organizations that can help achieve this goal.