The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is an important civil rights law in the United States. Its purpose is to ensure that people with disabilities have fair and equal access to public life, including all kinds of goods and services.
Under the ADA, the Department of Justice (DOJ) considers most public-facing business websites to be public accommodations. As a result, every business website needs to be built such that it’s accessible to everyone, no matter their abilities. For businesses with more than 15 employees, ADA compliance is generally a mandatory requirement.
An accessible website can reach a wider audience, including the 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. who live with a disability. This expanded reach naturally leads to more potential customers. Creating an accessible website is much more than just following rules. It is a strategic move that can significantly benefit a business.
Let’s walk through some practical ways to make your website welcoming for all visitors.
#1 Use Alt Tags On Images and Web Links
Images and links are everywhere on websites, but they can be invisible to those who are visually impaired. Alternative text, commonly known as alt text, helps describe images for these people.
Alt text is a short, descriptive phrase that explains what an image is about or what a link does. This helps users with visual impairments or low vision understand visual information.
For informative images, like product photos or charts, the alt text should clearly describe what the image shows and why it is there. However, you can write “null alt text” for images that are purely decorative and do not add new information to the page.
Similarly, web links need clear, descriptive text. Vague phrases like “click here,” “read more,” or “this” are not helpful because they lack context. A descriptive link is far more effective than a generic one because screen reader users listen to a list of links without the surrounding context.
#2 Design for Mobile Devices and Light Sensitivity
Most people are glued to their phones, scrolling through websites while on the go. In fact, mobile accounts for 62.5% of global website traffic. That brings us to the conclusion that your website should be just as smooth and accessible on a small screen as it is on a laptop.
Use responsive design, so elements adjust to different screen sizes, and make buttons large enough to tap easily without zooming in. This helps users with motor disabilities interact accurately. Franklin Web Design adds that responsive design also significantly boosts a website’s search engine visibility and rankings.
Prioritize visual comfort as well. Bright flashing animations, auto-playing videos, and sudden color changes can trigger migraines or seizures in some people. Give users control over these elements with pause buttons, and avoid anything that flashes more than three times per second.
If this sounds like too much of a task, consider working with a web design company. These experts know how to make your site fully responsive, ensuring it adapts seamlessly to phones, tablets, and other devices.
They also understand how to reduce light sensitivity triggers by avoiding harsh visuals, using calming color schemes, and giving users control over any moving content.
#3 Make Keyboard Commands Available
Not every person uses a mouse to browse the internet. Many individuals, especially those with motor disabilities or visual impairments, depend on keyboards, specialized switches, or voice commands that mimic keyboard actions. If your website can only be used with a mouse, it creates a significant barrier for these users.
For your website to be welcoming to all, all interactive parts must be usable with keyboard commands. This means buttons, links, form fields, dropdown menus, and even those fancy interactive elements should all be accessible with Tab, Enter, and arrow keys.
When a user tabs through your site, there should be a clear visual cue, such as a border or highlight, around the element currently in focus. This visual indicator helps users with low vision understand exactly where they are on the page.
A particularly helpful feature for keyboard users is a “skip to main content” link. Make sure to place this link at the very top of each page. It allows users to quickly bypass repetitive navigation menus and jump directly to the primary content of the page.
Building a Better Online Experience
Creating an ADA-compliant website is a powerful way for any business to serve all its customers effectively. This smart move enhances your brand’s reputation, builds deeper customer loyalty, and contributes to a more inclusive digital world.
Don’t forget to test your website with real users, including people who use assistive technologies. Their feedback will show you issues you never would have spotted otherwise and help you create a truly welcoming online experience for everyone.
Now, go ahead, take that first step, and make your website a more inclusive online space.
