What Criteria Website Should Have To Be Recognized as ADA Compliant

In the age of digital technology, it is important for businesses to follow certain guidelines in developing their brands’ websites. Now, you might ask, what exactly is ADA? Well, it is an acronym for Americans with Disabilities Act. It is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. Obviously, the world wide web, as its nature as a public space, is not exempt from this. In this post, everything you need to know about website ADA compliance should be.

Maintaining an ADA-compliant website provides needed special accommodations for prospective customers particularly for people with disabilities. Content on the web should be readily accessible to the hearing and visually impaired, people with difficulties in their motor skills, and those that need assistive technologies to navigate through the internet realm. Non-fulfillment of creating a ADA-compliant website could lead to financial liabilities, lawsuits, and overall harm to your brand reputation.

Because the ADA does not provide a clear set of guidelines for website compliance, a lot of website designers and managers follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). It is a reference for businesses considering enhancing their digital accessibility. Kickstart website accessibility journey by integrating All in One Accessibility – an AI based accessibility tool. The WCAG has three versions: 1.0, 2.0, and 2.1. Version 2.0 is a replacement for the first version while 2.1 is an addition to 2.0. To add, there are three levels of conformance: A (bare minimum level of accessibility), AA (target level of accessibility meeting legal requirements), and AAA (exceeds accessibility requirements).

The WCAG guidelines guarantee that your website and its contents are:

    • Perceivable

Sight, sound, and touch are the three main senses that the guidelines can help with. The WCAG 2.0 can ensure that users can perceive every content on your website.

    • Operable

Navigation on your website should be easy to operate and have support for assistive technologies.

    • Understandable

Avoid unusual and inconsistent functions on your website. Use clear and easy to understand terms instead of jargons, and have simple instructions.

    • Robust

Your website content must be easily interpreted by or adapt to various devices and platforms.

 

In addition to these principles, here are other concrete ways to address accessibility issues regarding your website:

 

Optimize navigation

Make sure your website is properly configured to allow the use of assistive technologies such as speech recognition software, screen readers, mouth sticks, to name a few.

Use alt tags for multimedia content

Through alt tags, users with disabilities may read or hear alternate interpretations of content that they would not be able to access otherwise. Alt tags identify the object and the role it plays on the website.

Create a consistent, organized layout

Menus, links, and buttons should be arranged so that they are easily distinguishable from one another and can be conveniently navigated across the web.

Consider color layouts and choose them wisely. Bright colors may be too intense for people with increased photosensitivity. Having contrast lines will be helpful for people with color blindness in interpreting the visuals on the website.

 

Create text transcripts for video and audio content

Text transcripts will aid hearing-impaired visitors on your website to understand content that would be inaccessible to them otherwise.

There are various ways businesses can produce a website that is accessible for users with disabilities. Consulting lawyers or web design agencies who know their way with disability law is a must for businesses concerned about ADA compliance, but if you are considering working on it on your own or with your internal team, reading the ADA requirements is a crucial first step.

 

 

  • Todd Sumamno

    Todd is a seasoned writer and journalist with a passion for exploring the intersection of technology and design. With over a decade of experience in the industry, he has established himself as a trusted voice in the tech and design communities. Todd's writing career began in the early 2000s, when he started contributing to various online publications and blogs. He quickly gained a reputation for his ability to break down complex technical concepts into engaging and accessible language, making him a go-to writer for tech companies and startups looking to communicate their ideas to a wider audience. In recent years, Todd has focused on writing about the latest trends and innovations in the tech and design spaces. He has covered everything from artificial intelligence and machine learning to user experience (UX) design and human-computer interaction. His writing has appeared in a range of publications, including major tech websites, design magazines, and industry-specific journals. Todd's writing style is characterized by his ability to balance technical accuracy with engaging storytelling. He is known for his ability to distill complex ideas into clear and concise language, making him a favorite among readers who are looking for in-depth analysis and insight into the latest tech and design trends. When he's not writing, Todd can be found attending industry conferences and events, where he stays up-to-date on the latest developments in the tech and design worlds. He is also an avid user of new technologies and loves to experiment with new tools and platforms. Overall, Todd is a highly respected and experienced writer who is dedicated to helping readers understand the latest trends and innovations in the tech and design spaces. His writing is informative, engaging, and always insightful, making him a valuable resource for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in these rapidly evolving fields.

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