How to ensure your website is ADA-compliant
Boost your business by ensuring your website is accessible to all users
Is your website unintentionally turning away customers? If your site isn’t accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, you might be missing out on potential customers — and facing possible legal risks. Fortunately, making your website compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) isn’t as hard as you might think.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of ensuring your website is accessible to all, helping you create a better user experience and extending your services to a wider audience.
What are the key components of an accessible website?
An accessible website ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can interact with its content. Here are a few must-have elements for accessibility:
- Alt text for images: This allows users who rely on screen readers to understand the visual content on your site.
- Keyboard-friendly navigation: Some visitors may not be able to use a mouse. Your website should work smoothly with just a keyboard.
- High-contrast colors: Ensure that your text stands out from the background, especially for those with visual impairments.
These features not only make your website more inclusive but also improve the experience for all users. An easy-to-navigate, visually clear website keeps visitors engaged longer.
Steps to ADA compliance: the WCAG framework
To make sure your site meets ADA requirements, start with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Websites should meet these key principles:
- Perceivable: Make sure content can be presented in ways that users can understand, such as with alt text or captions.
- Operable: Ensure people can navigate your site easily, whether using a mouse, keyboard, or assistive technology.
- Understandable: Keep your language clear and your site’s functionality simple.
- Robust: Ensure your content is compatible with assistive technologies like screen readers or text-to-speech software.
By following these principles, you’ll be well on your way to a website that is both user-friendly and legally compliant.
How does ADA compliance benefit my business?
Complying with ADA standards does more than just shield your business from legal issues. It opens your website to a broader audience, improving the overall user experience. When your site is accessible, it enhances your brand’s reputation and fosters customer loyalty.
Accessible websites have further benefits: according to UseableNet, they are often more efficient, faster to load, and more user-friendly. This can result in higher rankings in search engine results, improving your visibility online.
Learn from top companies who invest in accessibility
Leading global companies with top-performing websites are increasingly prioritizing accessibility. Apple, Google, Microsoft, and many others have invested in making their websites and products accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. They’ve shown that accessibility isn’t just about meeting legal requirements; it’s a powerful way to gain a competitive edge.
Apple’s groundbreaking VoiceOver screen reader transformed how people with visual impairments use technology, setting a new standard for accessible design. Google has also made accessibility features like voice control and contrast settings a core part of their services, benefiting users with disabilities and everyone else who values a more user-friendly experience. Microsoft also doubled down on making their products more inclusive after receiving feedback from accessibility advocates, and this paid off with improved user satisfaction and brand loyalty.
These companies prove that investing in accessibility not only boosts usability but also expands your market reach and strengthens customer relationships. It’s a win-win.
If you want to dive deeper into how accessibility drives success, check out the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) for more real-world examples and case studies that highlight the positive impact of these efforts on both users and businesses.
What tools or resources can I use to make my website accessible?
If you’re feeling lost about how to improve your website’s accessibility, don’t panic — there are several great tools and resources that can assist in making your website accessible. One option is UserWay, an AI-powered tool that automatically adjusts your site to meet ADA and WCAG standards. UserWay offers a widget that can be easily integrated into your website to address common accessibility barriers, such as providing text alternatives for images and enabling keyboard navigation. It also provides continuous monitoring and updates, helping you maintain compliance without needing advanced technical knowledge.
Using an accessibility checker
An accessibility checker tool is a valuable resource for identifying and fixing accessibility issues on your website. It scans your site for compliance with standards like WCAG 2.1 and provides recommendations for improvement.
You can easily try out this Accessibility Checker Tool — just enter your website URL, and it will generate a detailed report highlighting any issues that need attention. Using this tool saves time, catches problems you might miss, and offers actionable insights. Regularly checking your site ensures it stays compliant with accessibility standards and provides a better experience for all users.
Manual accessibility testing
Even if you use the tools above, it’s essential to test your website regularly. Testing for accessibility involves using a combination of automated tools and manual checks. Automated tools can quickly highlight common issues, but manual testing, such as navigating your site using only a keyboard or a screen reader, is still crucial to understanding the user experience.
Regular testing should be part of your website maintenance routine to ensure ongoing compliance. Consider performing these tests after any significant updates or changes to your site.
Avoiding common website accessibility mistakeMany websites make a few common mistakes when it comes to accessibility. Here are some you’ll want to avoid:
- Missing Alt Text for Images: Always provide alt text for your images so that users with screen readers can understand what’s being displayed.
- Low Contrast Text: Ensure there is enough contrast between your text and background colors. It’s a simple change that makes a big difference.
- Unclear Link Text: Avoid vague phrases like “click here.” Instead, describe the action or destination clearly in your link text.
Assuming ADA compliance doesn’t apply to your business is another common mistake. It’s not just large companies or public-facing businesses that need to comply. Small businesses are also at risk of lawsuits if their websites aren’t accessible.
In fact, failing to maintain an ADA-compliant website can lead to significant legal and financial consequences. Businesses of all sizes have faced lawsuits, costly settlements, and even reputational damage due to non-compliance. And the number of ADA-related lawsuits has been on the rise, with over 4,600 filed in 2023, according to UsableNet’s 2023 report. To learn more, check out our article on the legal risks of failing to make your website ADA compliant.
Can small businesses afford ADA compliance?
The upfront cost of making your website ADA-compliant may seem high, but think of it as an investment in your business. Many improvements, like adding alt text or simplifying navigation, are low-cost or even free. Plus, the cost of non-compliance, such as lawsuits, can be much higher.
Small businesses can start by addressing key issues first, gradually working toward full compliance. Not only does this reduce legal risks, but it also helps you reach more customers, so it is ultimately a smart investment. On top of that, you may be able to recover a significant portion of the expenses by claiming tax credits for accessibility improvements.
Where to learn more about ADA compliance
If you’re interested in learning more about web accessibility, there are many resources out there. Websites like the W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative offer comprehensive guidelines and tutorials. For more in-depth knowledge, you can explore online courses, webinars, and accessibility workshops that delve into best practices and strategies for keeping your website compliant and creating an inclusive web experience.
