In the US alone, 61 million adults are living with a disability.
Whether it’s a vision, hearing, or physical disability, navigating the current US is many times difficult for the disability community. Many able-bodied individuals don’t think twice about narrow doorways, crowded pathways, or extremely small font on websites.
Slowly but surely, the world is becoming more aware of how ableist it is. Part of making the current day more inclusive is businesses creating ADA-compliant websites.
More than likely, your site is lacking in its level of ADA compliancy. Keep reading below for a guide on how to make your site more accessible for all.
What Is It?
ADA compliance isn’t the first thing on most able-bodied people’s minds when building a site. Many haven’t even taken the time to research the subject, but we’re glad you’re here now!
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits any and all discrimination against those living with a disability. It establishes the fact they should have all the same rights as able-bodied folks.
The U.S. Department of Justice approved the Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design in 2010. This act states all websites should be accessible for those with a hearing or vision disability.
If you spend any amount of time on the internet, you clearly see most sites aren’t doing their part.
How Do I Do It?
Because there’s no exact rulebook telling someone how to design an ADA-compliant site, it’s a bit tricky to figure out at first. It’s crucial your marketing and web design team work together for inclusivity.
Start by browsing through your site as any visitor would while evaluating it from a surface-level viewpoint. Are the fonts easy to read, and is the wording easy to understand? Do images appear large enough and clear?
Now, dig a bit deeper into what you see. Images contributing to the subject of the article or site should have image descriptions. Input different keyboard accessibility options as someone navigates your site.
For those with vision disabilities, make sure to include text-to-speech accessibility and options like voice search. Guarantee your site is compatible with different assistive technologies.
Benefits of ADA-Compliant Website
There are many benefits of ADA-Compliant Websites!
The obvious benefit is accessibility for all. Site visitors with hearing and vision disabilities will feel included on a site offering different accessibility options, and this can help create loyal customers of all demographics.
Becoming ADA-compliant is also one of the top SEO improvements your business can make. Call it selfish, but more accessibility options turn into higher organic traffic on your site.
As more people organically land on your site, your target audience window will expand. Many people are disabled, whether others know it or not. You’ll reach an audience you never have before.
A result of drawing more people into your inclusive website will be a more solidified group of customers and improved business respectability. Hopefully, your site will be paving the way for others.
Avoid Litigation
Remember how we said the ADA requires accessibility on websites? Yes, ethically, you should do your best to follow the rules. But not following the rules could also land you in legal trouble.
Many major businesses, including Winn-Dixie, have faced backlash over not having accessible sites. They’re losing customers and major money. If your web designers aren’t doing what they can to save your business from this, find new web designers.
ADA compliance does get a bit tricky because the act doesn’t define specific guidelines to follow. Many businesses are turning to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to help.
According to these guidelines, a site must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Management should hold a meeting with the tech and design teams to review these guidelines. They should also include disabled folks in the design of the site.
In the case of litigation, double-check your business’s insurance coverage.
A Worthy Investment
We know all these changes cost a chunk of change and time. While this is true, it’s a worthy investment your business needs to make.
As you start adding accessibility options, keep in mind it’s a slow-building process. Learn from your errors. Provide the user’s a quick way to communicate with your team in case someone wants to offer a suggestion.
Once suggestions are made, collaborate with your team on how to address the issue. Thank the user for their suggestion and assure them you’re hopping on it. Then, hop on it.
If it helps to think of it this way, investing in these changes is way less expensive than a lawsuit.
Our Upcoming Partnership
Whew, that’s a lot! Right? No need to worry because we are forming a partnership with accessiBe to help you out.
AccessiBe is a leading web accessibility solution for ADA compliance. At Drive Solution Media, we work hard to promote accessibility and inclusion. This partnership will take us all to the next level.
There are several benefits to this partnership that will empower users and businesses. It will boost the user experience, SEO rankings, and give you an edge on the competition.
Psst…
We’ll let you in on a little secret while you’re here. If you have an in-person shop, you can make improvements there too!
Imagine being excited to find an accessible site and then showing up at a completely inaccessible shop! It would be extremely frustrating and disheartening.
Take the time to make your shop and services accessible to all customers. It’s the perfect pairing to an ADA-compliant business site.
Boosting Your Site’s ADA Compliancy and Accessibility
There’s no excuse to have an inaccessible site. Businesses should no longer be favoring able-bodied individuals. It’s time to boost your site’s ADA compliancy and make your site accessible for all.
While there are no clear guidelines on website accessibility from the US Department of Justice, turn to the WCAG. Guarantee your site is clearly visible, easy to understand, and offers options for those with vision and hearing disabilities.
Are you ready to make your site ADA-compliant? Check out our full list of services, and contact us today.
