Why Website Accessibility Matters
Your website is often the first interaction customers have with your brand. But what if a significant portion of your audience couldn’t access it? Ensuring your website complies with ADA standards isn’t just about meeting legal requirements, it’s about creating an inclusive experience for all users and unlocking new growth opportunities. In this guide, we’ll break down the essentials of ADA compliance, the impact of Section 508 compliance, and how you can take practical steps to meet ADA website requirements and create an inclusive digital experience.
Background and History of ADA Compliance
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted in 1990, was a landmark civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places open to the general public. As digital services have become central to everyday life, the ADA’s requirements have extended into the online world, emphasizing that businesses must maintain an ADA-compliance website that is accessible to everyone. Businesses that fail to meet these ADA website requirements risk legal challenges and, more importantly, exclude millions of potential users.
To help businesses navigate these requirements, the U.S. Department of Justice Guidance on Web Accessibility offers insights into legal compliance.
Understanding ADA Compliance
Ensuring your website meets ADA website requirements means making digital content accessible to people with various disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, language, learning, and neurological disabilities. An inaccessible website can be likened to a building without ramps or elevators, creating barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from accessing information and services.
Another important regulation, Section 508, mandates that federal agencies make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities. For an in-depth overview of accessibility guidelines, businesses can refer to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). While it applies directly to government entities, its standards provide an excellent framework for businesses that want to ensure Section 508 compliance and avoid potential legal pitfalls.
Practical Steps to Achieve ADA Compliance
Making your website accessible doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on a few key areas, businesses can significantly improve user experience while aligning with ADA website requirements. Below are actionable steps to ensure your website meets both ADA compliance website standards and Section 508 compliance requirements.
Use Alt Text for Images
Why it matters: alt text provides descriptive text for images, allowing screen readers to convey visual content to users with visual impairments.
How to implement: ensure every image on your site has an alt text attribute that succinctly describes its content and function.
Example: an eCommerce site selling apparel should include alt text like: “Red cotton t-shirt with crew neck and short sleeves.”
Ensure Keyboard Accessibility
Why it matters: For individuals who cannot use a mouse, seamless keyboard navigation is essential, ensuring they can fully access and interact with your website.
How to implement: test your site to confirm that all interactive elements, such as links, buttons, and form fields, are accessible via keyboard navigation.
Example: an online clothing store should allow users to navigate using the Tab key to move between product categories, the Enter key to select an item, the Arrow keys to adjust sizes and quantities, and Shift + Tab to go back to a previous selection. The entire checkout process should be operable without a mouse, ensuring individuals with mobility impairment can complete their purchase independently.
Maintain High Color Contrast
Why it matters: sufficient contrast between text and background colors ensures readability for users with visual impairments.
How to implement: use Pluro’s accessibility tools to verify that your site’s color schemes meet the recommended contrast ratios.
Example: an online electronics store should use a high-contrast color scheme, ensuring readability. For instance, a product page should display black text on a light yellow or white background, rather than light gray on white. Users with visual impairments should be able to read product descriptions without straining their eyes.
Provide Text Transcripts for Multimedia
Why it matters: text transcripts ensure that audio and video content is accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing, allowing them to engage fully with your content
How to implement: for each audio or video file, provide a text transcript that includes dialogue and relevant non-verbal sounds.
Example: a beauty brand’s tutorial video on skincare should have a transcript detailing product usage steps and spoken instructions.
Design Clear and Consistent Navigation
Why it matters: a predictable and straightforward navigation structure aids users, especially those with cognitive disabilities, in finding information efficiently.
How to implement: organize your site’s layout consistently across all pages and use clear, descriptive labels for navigation links.
Example: an online grocery store should ensure that product categories are labeled clearly, such as “Fresh Produce” and “Dairy & Eggs.”
Use Descriptive Link Text
Why it matters: links should indicate their destination or purpose, aiding users in understanding where a link will take them.
How to implement: avoid vague terms like “click here.” Instead, use descriptive text such as “Read our accessibility guide.”
Example: a furniture retailer linking to shipping details should use anchor text like “View our shipping policies.”
Implement Accessible Forms
Why it matters: forms should be designed for easy use by individuals with disabilities, ensuring all users can submit information effectively.
How to implement: ensure form fields are clearly labeled, provide instructions, and include error messages that are easy to understand.
Example: a jewelry eCommerce site’s checkout form should label the credit card field properly and provide an error message like “Invalid card number. Please enter a 16-digit number.”
Regularly Test Your Website’s Accessibility
Why it matters: continuous evaluation helps maintain compliance as your site evolves, ensuring ongoing accessibility.
How to implement: utilize Pluro’s auditing tools and conduct manual testing to identify and address accessibility issues.
Example: an online shoe store should conduct continuous routine audits using Pluro’s scanner to catch any accessibility concerns before launching new seasonal collections.
Take the Next Step Toward Full ADA Compliance
Achieving and maintaining an ADA-compliant website can be challenging, but Pluro makes it easy. Our hybrid accessibility solution combines AI-driven automation with a manual fixing tool to address structural and contextual issues and ensure your website meets all ADA website requirements while staying ahead of legal and usability standards.
Why Choose Pluro?
- Automated Accessibility Audits: instantly identify compliance issues.
- Customizable Fixes: address both technical and content-related accessibility concerns.
- Ongoing Monitoring: stay compliant as your website evolves.
Pluro doesn’t just help you meet the legal requirements—it empowers you to create an inclusive and user-friendly experience that benefits all visitors. Learn more about our approach to accessibility in our latest blog post: Why Hybrid Accessibility is the Future.
Let’s make the internet accessible together! Get started with Pluro today.
