Web accessibility is a must for companies operating in the digital world. But, especially in the USA, being compliant with it is a primordial requirement. The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is meant to establish equality within the IT sphere.
What is ADA?
As stated, it refers to The Americans With Disabilities Act and it helps people access websites easier, regardless of their cognitive or physical abilities. It became a law in 1990. It is highly important because it is a way to guarantee equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, government services, among other areas.
Why do you need an ADA compliant website?
Simply put, it is key to business success. It has multiple benefits, such as:
1. Legal protection
An ADA compliant website represents an important investment when building your brand’s reputation. For one thing, you are respecting the lawsuit and legal requirements. And for another, your being more inclusive helps your brand overall.
2. Stronger market reach
Making your website more comprehensible and convenient for any user will help it grow globally. Client satisfaction and user experience is crucial to grow your customer base and generate revenue.
3. Efficient website maintenance
In order to be ADA compliant, you will have to polish a lot of things in your website, this includes a lot of testing either manually, with automated tools and via screen readers. The many tests guarantee a website free from bugs and errors.
What are the areas of focus?
According to the WCAG guidelines, accessibility issues are categorized in four distinct groups, which are:
- Perceivable issues: Those refer to the ones that affect a user’s ability to find and process information on a website. One example for this field would be providing audio descriptions for video content.
- Operable issues: They refer to the issues that affect a user’s ability to navigate and use a website. For example, ensuring that all site functions can be operated through keyboard-only commands.
- Understandable issues: They concern a user’s ability to comprehend and discern the information and navigation on a website. For instance, composing error messages that include a clear explanation of the error, as well as direction to correct it.
- Robust issues: These issues refer to the site’s ability to adapt and evolve to meet the variant needs of users with disabilities. For example, testing compatibility with all leading screen readers and making sure that the capabilities can be upgraded in the future to cover new needs.
Do you want to polish your website so that it follows ADA guidelines? We are here to help. Contact us today.
