What is the "safe harbor" provision in accessibility?

The "safe harbor" provision in accessibility refers to a protection under the law for website owners regarding accessibility violations. This concept typically provides certain legal assurances that if a website meets specific accessibility standards or guidelines, such as conforming to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) at a fixed version, the site owner is less likely to face legal action or be considered non-compliant.

However, this provision is not about assessing or evaluating new websites or governing design implementations, as those would focus on proactive compliance rather than offering protection against potential legal obligations from past violations. The notion of assessing legacy websites relates more to the urgent need for updating them to comply with current standards but does not capture the essence of "safe harbor." Therefore, the understanding of “safe harbor” primarily revolves around its legal protection implications for organizations striving to ensure their digital content is accessible.