1. Purpose
At AcessibilidadeLegal.com, we are committed to providing accurate, reliable, and verifiable information about accessibility law, policy, technology, and services. This Fact‑Checking page explains our standards, process, and how we update our content when new information becomes available.
2. What We Fact‑Check
We verify claims, statements, and information related to:
- Accessibility laws and regulations (national and international)
- Rights and obligations of persons with disabilities
- Accessibility standards (technical, digital, built environment)
- Public policies and programs affecting accessibility
- Misleading or false narratives about accessibility issues
- Reports, statistics, and data cited in news, public discourse, or third‑party sources
3. Our Fact‑Checking Principles
We apply the following core principles:
Independence
Our evaluations are unbiased and not influenced by sponsors or partners.
Transparency
We disclose sources, methodology, and how judgements are made.
Accuracy
We use primary and authoritative sources such as government laws, regulations, court decisions, and recognized standards.
Fairness
We allow subjects of fact checks the opportunity to respond before publication whenever feasible.
4. Fact‑Checking Methodology
Our process includes these steps:
1. Claim Identification
We select claims based on relevance, reach, impact, and public interest.
2. Source Review
We locate primary and authoritative documentation (laws, official reports, court rulings, technical standards).
3. Verification
We analyze the claim against evidence. When evidence is ambiguous or unavailable, we note uncertainty.
4. Rating
We assign a rating based on factual accuracy (see Rating Scale below).
5. Drafting
We write a clear explanation of how the claim was evaluated, citing sources.
6. Review and Publication
A second editor reviews accuracy and clarity before publishing.
7. Updates
We revisit fact checks when new evidence emerges.
5. Fact‑Check Rating Scale
| Rating | Meaning |
|---|---|
| True | Claim fully supported by clear evidence. |
| Mostly True | Minor omissions or context issues, but essentially accurate. |
| Half‑True | Partially accurate but lacks context or misses key facts. |
| Mostly False | Significant factual errors or misleading context. |
| False | Claim is demonstrably incorrect. |
| Unverified | Insufficient evidence to confirm or deny. |
6. How to Report a Claim for Review
If you encounter a claim you believe should be fact‑checked, submit it via:
Email: contact@acessibilidadelegal.com
Subject: Fact‑Checking Submission
Include: URL or text of claim, why it matters, any sources you have.
We will acknowledge receipt and inform you if the claim is selected for review.
7. Example Fact‑Checks
Example 1: Claim
“All public websites in Brazil must comply with WCAG 2.1 AA by law.”
Verdict: Mostly True
Explanation:
Brazil’s Decree No. 10.332/2020 requires federal public digital services to meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards. However, the rule does not apply uniformly to all state and municipal websites unless adopted by local regulation. Therefore, while true for federal services, it is not universally enforced at all government levels without local legislation.
Sources:
- Brazilian Decree No. 10.332/2020 (official text)
- Government accessibility guidelines
Example 2: Claim
“An employer can refuse reasonable accommodations if they are expensive.”
Verdict: False
Explanation:
Under disability rights law (example: ADA in the US, or similar provisions in other jurisdictions), employers must provide reasonable accommodations unless doing so causes undue hardship, which is legally defined and not based on subjective notions of cost alone.
Sources:
- ADA Title I provisions
- Official guidance from civil rights enforcement agencies
8. Editorial Standards
- We only use verified, high‑quality sources (laws, official documents, peer‑reviewed research).
- Opinions are clearly distinguished from facts.
- Corrections and updates are documented and timestamped.
9. Corrections Policy
If we discover an error, we will:
- Correct the content promptly.
- Add an editor’s note explaining the change.
- Document the date and nature of correction.
10. FAQ – Fact‑Checking
Q1: What is a fact check?
A fact check is an evaluation of a specific claim to determine whether it is supported by credible evidence.
Q2: How often do you update your fact checks?
We review fact checks periodically and update when new evidence is published.
Q3: Can I challenge a fact‑check rating?
Yes. Send your request with evidence to contact@acessibilidadelegal.com. We will review and respond.
Q4: What if a source contradicts another?
We prioritize primary sources and official texts. Conflicting secondary sources are noted in the explanation.
11. Contact
For comments or questions about our fact‑checking work: