ADA Compliance Website Development
In today’s digital age, having a website is essential for any business. However, it’s crucial to ensure your website is accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. This is where ADA compliance comes in.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, including in the digital world. This means your website must be accessible to people who use screen readers, voice recognition software, or other assistive technologies.
Why Web Accessibility Matters
There are many reasons why ADA compliance is essential for businesses.
- It’s the law: Failing to comply with the ADA can result in lawsuits and fines.
- It’s good for business: Making your website accessible opens up your business to a broader audience, including people with disabilities, with a combined spending power of over $2 trillion annually.
- It’s the right thing to do: Everyone deserves equal access to information and resources.
Risks of Getting it Wrong
Failing to comply with the ADA Website Compliance will make you legally vulnerable. Suppose you haven’t ensured your website is optimized for complete accessibility from every demographic protected in the ADA. In that case, you are at risk of being sued and losing.
Practical Tips for ADA Compliance
Tanner+West has a team of ADA-compliant web development experts, and when it comes to implementing and integrating ADA-friendly protocols into websites and digital marketing efforts, we stay on top of it. Obtaining ADA compliance for your website is a complicated process, but here are a few ways we do it…
- Ensure all Java-based elements are 100% compatible with assistive technologies: Test them with screen readers and ensure they function correctly.
- Give alt tags to every image, video, audio, and plug-in: Describe their content and purpose accurately.
- Use descriptive headings and link text alternatives: Avoid generic terms like “Click here”.
- Use accessible color schemes: Maintain sufficient contrast between text and background.
- Provide keyboard access to all functionality: Allow navigation and interaction without a mouse.
- Structure content logically using headings and lists: Use HTML markup to define sections and relationships.
- Resize text up to 200% without breaking layout: Ensure content remains readable at larger sizes.
- Provide captions and transcripts for all audio and video content.
- Use labels for all form fields: Associate labels with their corresponding fields using the “for” attribute.
- Avoid using text-only CAPTCHAs: Offer alternative verification methods for users with disabilities.
- Design forms to be easy to use with a keyboard: Ensure the tab order is logical, and all elements are accessible.
- Avoid blinking, scrolling, or auto-updating content: These can trigger seizures or disorientation.
- Provide clear instructions and error messages: Explain what users need to do and how to resolve any problems encountered.
- Validate your website with accessibility testing tools: Identify and address potential issues before launch.
- Continuously monitor and update your website for accessibility: Stay informed about new guidelines and best practices.