The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990 and prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. While the act was primarily focused on physical spaces, it also applies to digital spaces, including websites. ADA-compliant web design ensures that all users, regardless of ability, can access and use a website.
Why do we need it?
- ADA compliance is the right thing to do and an ethical responsibility.
- It can help reach a wider audience, including disabled users.
- ADA compliance can protect businesses from legal action related to website accessibility.
Some common features of ADA-compliant web design include:
- Alternative text descriptions for images, which can be read aloud by screen readers for visually impaired users
- Proper heading structure to make it easier for screen readers to navigate the content
- Use of descriptive link text, rather than generic phrases like “click here”
- Captioning or transcripts for videos, to make them accessible to users with hearing impairments.
It’s important to note that ADA compliance is an ongoing process. Your website should be regularly evaluated and updated to ensure that it continues to meet the latest accessibility standards.
How can you create an ADA-compliant website?
Here are some tips for creating an ADA-compliant website:
- Use alt tags for images: Alt tags provide a description of images for people who are visually impaired and use screen readers to navigate the web. Alt tags should be descriptive and provide information about the image.
- Use headings and subheadings: Headings and subheadings provide a clear structure for content, making it easier to navigate for people with disabilities. They also make it easier for people to scan content quickly.
- Use descriptive link text: Link text should be descriptive and provide information about the destination of the link. Avoid using generic phrases like "click here."
- Ensure keyboard accessibility: Make sure that your website can be navigated using a keyboard, as some people with disabilities cannot use a mouse.
- Provide captions for videos: Captions provide access to videos for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
ADA Compliance Website Services
If you're not sure how to create an ADA-compliant website, you can hire ADA Compliance Website Services to help you. These services provide accessibility audits, remediation plans, and ongoing monitoring to ensure that your website remains ADA-compliant.
