Ensuring web accessibility is not only about increasing website audiences, but it is also a question of the civil rights of an individual. More than 1.3 billion people in the world suffer from disability, and in the United States of America alone, one in four adults suffers from disability. It is one of the key reasons why the US government is pressuring and has made it compulsory for companies to require website owners to make their websites accessible to everyone.
Despite having the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance in the U.S., website owners and companies started implementing it in recent times after facing lawsuits worth millions of dollars. Yet many website owners don’t know how to make website ADA compliant; so this article is for them to know more about ADA compliance.
What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance law was introduced by the US government back in 1990. This law has been updated over time, with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), which was signed in 2008, which included more types of disabilities and strengthened its protections.
Some of the disabilities that fall under ADA compliance law are:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- PTSD
- HIV
- Autism
- Deafness
- Blindness or low vision
- Epilepsy
- Major depressive disorder
The ADA is divided into five distinct titles. Each title consists of the requirements needed to comply for organizations from different sectors to prevent discrimination among digital users and build an inclusive community:
- Title I: Employment
- Title II, Subtitle A: State and local government services
- Title II, Subtitle B: Public transportation
- Title III: Businesses that are open to the public
- Title IV: Telecommunications
- Title V: Additional key provisions (such as protections against retaliation for individuals who exercise their rights under the ADA).
Understanding ADA Compliance
ADA regulations might appear complicated, but they play a vital role in building inclusive digital spaces. Fundamentally, ADA standards ensure that websites can be accessed and used by people with disabilities.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) upholds these regulations by investigating complaints and taking legal action when necessary. Lawsuits generally arise from serious violations where previous complaints haven’t been resolved, leading to penalties or compensation for noncompliance.
It is also important to consider Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which specifically focuses on ensuring that electronic and information technology is accessible to individuals with disabilities. This requirement mainly applies to federal agencies and the organizations that work with them.
To comply with Section 508, familiarize yourself with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. These guidelines outline how to make web content more user-friendly for everyone, covering aspects like readable text, keyboard navigation, and accessible multimedia. Following WCAG helps ensure both ADA compliance and an overall better user experience.
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What are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)?
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of international standards created to make websites and digital content more accessible to people with disabilities.
Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) under the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), WCAG provides clear and testable guidelines for making web content usable by everyone, including people with visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities.
The main goal of WCAG is to ensure that all users, regardless of ability, can:
- Perceive the information (e.g., read text, hear audio, or understand visuals)
- Operate the interface (e.g., navigate using a keyboard instead of a mouse)
- Understand the content and how to use it
- Robust, meaning it must work well across different browsers, devices, and assistive technologies (like screen readers)
WCAG Versions
There are several versions of the guidelines:
- WCAG 1.0 – Released in 1999 (the first version)
- WCAG 2.0 – Released in 2008, became a global accessibility standard
- WCAG 2.1 – Released in 2018, added criteria for mobile accessibility and users with cognitive disabilities
- WCAG 2.2 – Released in 2023, added new success criteria to improve accessibility further.
- WCAG 3.0 (in progress) – Aims to make accessibility even more flexible and easier to measure
WCAG Principles (POUR)
WCAG is standing on four core principles, often remembered by the acronym POUR:
- Perceivable – Information and UI must be presented in ways users can perceive.
- Operable – The interface must be usable through various input methods (e.g., keyboard).
- Understandable – Content and navigation must be clear and predictable.
- Robust – Content must be compatible with current and future assistive technologies.
WCAG defines three levels of compliance:
- Level A – Minimum accessibility requirements
- Level AA – The recommended level for most organizations (balances usability and practicality)
- Level AAA – The highest and most inclusive level (harder to achieve fully)
Level A
These are the most fundamental accessibility requirements, designed to eliminate major barriers that can prevent people with disabilities from using a website. If Level A standards aren’t met, some users may be completely unable to access your content.
Examples of key requirements:
- Non-text content: Include descriptive text alternatives for all non-text elements (for example, images should have appropriate alt text).
- Keyboard access: All website functions must be usable via a keyboard without relying on specific timing.
- Navigation: Each page should have a clear and descriptive title that reflects its purpose.
- Errors: Input errors (such as missing required fields) must be identified and communicated to the user.
Level AA
Level AA expands upon Level A by addressing the most frequent accessibility issues that impact user experience, particularly for individuals with low vision or cognitive disabilities. In many regions, Level AA serves as the legal benchmark for accessibility compliance.
Examples of Level AA requirements:
- Contrast ratio: Text and images must maintain a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 to ensure readability.
- Resizable text: Users should be able to enlarge content up to 200% without losing clarity or functionality.
- Navigation consistency: Menus and navigation elements should remain consistent across pages.
- Labels and instructions: All form fields must include clear and descriptive labels or guidance.
- Alt text accuracy: Alternative text should go beyond presence; it must accurately describe the content’s meaning.
Think of it this way: Level A ensures essential access, while Level AA enhances usability and inclusivity, creating a smoother experience for a wider range of users.
Level AAA
Finally, Level AAA represents the highest tier of accessibility standards. It includes advanced requirements such as sign language interpretation, customizable line spacing, and extended audio descriptions. While not typically mandatory for full compliance today, it is expected to become more widely adopted in the near future.
WCAG helps web developers, designers, and content creators ensure that websites are usable by everyone, including people with disabilities, and it also serves as the foundation for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and Section 508 compliance in the U.S.
How to ensure ADA compliance
To build an ADA-compliant website, it is essential to follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). We will discuss WCAG and its connection to ADA compliance in detail later in this blog.
How is WCAG Related to ADA Compliance?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) serve as the foundation for ADA compliance in digital spaces. Following the 2017 Section 508 update to the Rehabilitation Act, federal agencies and their contractors are required to adhere to WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA standards.
Even though the ADA doesn’t include a definitive checklist of accessibility requirements, WCAG has become the de facto standard for website compliance. Past rulings by the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirm that WCAG 2.0 AA is generally viewed as the minimum acceptable level.
To make your website future-ready, it’s advisable to move beyond the minimum and aim for WCAG 2.1 AA or WCAG 2.2 compliance. The biggest advancement in WCAG 2.1 is its stronger emphasis on mobile accessibility, reflecting the growing number of users accessing the web through smartphones and tablets.
WCAG 2.2, while not drastically different from 2.1, builds upon it by offering enhanced support for people with visual, auditory, speech, and mobility impairments across all devices. Any website that meets WCAG 2.2 automatically complies with WCAG 2.1 as well.
Despite WCAG’s wide adoption, it hasn’t yet been formally codified into law. The DOJ has considered adopting it as an official standard, and many expected the Biden administration to take a firmer stance on ADA enforcement, though that hasn’t occurred as of mid-2021.
Ultimately, one thing remains certain: the internet must be an inclusive space that ensures equal access for everyone, regardless of ability.
ADA Compliance Checklist
This detailed ADA compliance checklist outlines the key elements that every website should include to improve accessibility for people with disabilities:
- Using Color Contrast: Use high-contrast color combinations to make on-screen content more visible for users with low vision.
- Making Buttons Accessible: Ensure that all buttons follow accessible naming structures and include ARIA labels to improve navigation for assistive digital users.
- Staying Updated on Legal Requirements: It is essential to keep up-to-date with ADA and WCAG standards to guarantee accessibility to all users and minimize legal risks.
- Using Alt Text: Provide clear, descriptive text for all visual elements on the website, such as images and interactive buttons.
- Offering Accessible PDF Files: Make sure PDF files are structured for accessibility to support screen readers and other assistive tools.
- Add Video Captions: Ensure that all video content, both narrated and non-narrated, includes synchronized captions or text alternatives.
- Add Audio Descriptions: Ensure every audio file has an accompanying text version for users with hearing disabilities.
- Add Accessible Fonts: Select clear, well-designed fonts that enhance accessibility for people with dyslexia.
- Simplify Online Forms: Forms should include clear labels, straightforward instructions, and support keyboard functionality for accessibility.
- Avoid Flashing Imagery: Avoid using flashing imagery, as it can cause serious adverse effects like seizures.
- Add Skip Navigation: Add skip-to-content links to help users bypass repetitive menus and reach core content with ease.
- Enable Content Zooming: Ensure your website supports browser zoom so users can enlarge text and visual elements easily.
- Enable Keyboard Navigation: Make all website components fully accessible via keyboard navigation to support users with disabilities.
- Highlight Important Content: Use clear, bold headings and subheadings to structure content and indicate information hierarchy.
- Create Descriptive Links: Make sure all external links are clearly visible, easy to select, and optimized for accessibility and SEO.
How to achieve ADA compliance
There are 5 important magnates to achieve ADA compliance perfectly.
1. Conducting Accessibility Audit
Assists in developing a roadmap for meeting the accessibility criteria defined in WCAG 2.0 AA, WCAG 2.1 AA, and WCAG 2.2. Conducting a structured accessibility audit is recommended to strengthen your ADA web compliance efforts.
2. Hiring Accessibility Consultant
This approach can be expensive and time-consuming, as consultants handle a wide range of tasks. They assess your digital assets for compliance, identify accessibility issues or patterns of poor web management, and provide tailored recommendations to improve overall standards.
3. Conducting Usability Testing
It is most effective to test directly with real users. Include participants from the blind or low-vision community, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and those with limited mobility or dexterity. Testers with firsthand experience offer more accurate and valuable feedback than simply relying on an accessibility checklist.
4. Running Accessibility Scans
For websites that are updated regularly, occasional oversights are inevitable. Accessibility testing should therefore be conducted on a consistent basis. While using a checklist and reviewing guidelines during updates helps maintain accessibility standards, these practices should not replace regular, comprehensive accessibility scans.
5. Investing in Automated Audits
Using a widget to automatically flag potential accessibility issues is an effective way to uphold high standards. You may choose to hire professional services for this, or perform audits in-house
Read: The Ultimate ADA Compliance Checklist for Website Accessibility
Our Take
Since you now know how to make a website ADA compliant, you now have the tools to ensure your website is accessible to everyone. It is never too early or too late to prioritize digital accessibility. The ultimate objective is to allow all users, including those with disabilities, to navigate your site without obstacles. Following ADA compliance ensures equitable access for all, and the checklist below can help you take the first steps in the right direction.
FAQs
How to make website ADA compliant?
Ans: To make a website ADA compliant, you have to conduct an accessibility audit, hire an accessibility consultant, conduct usability testing, run accessibility scans, and invest in automated audits.
