EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WEBSITE ADA COMPLIANCE

March 25, 2022

Everything You Need To Know About Website ADA Compliance

Covid-19 had shut down schools and businesses in 2020. As a result, many of us turned to the internet for supplies, education, information, and so on. But some of them had discovered that the information on the web was not for everyone.

Users of the internet that relied on assistive technology were unable to access critical information regarding lockdowns and the novel virus.The reason was either negligence or lack of awareness towards accessibility and various accessibility compliances.

Web accessibility standards were formed to help design and build and maintain accessible websites for people with disabilities to access information without barriers. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a United States law that disallows discrimination against people with disabilities. Websites are subject to the ADA. Having an ADA-compliant website protects your business from lawsuits and cultivates an inclusive environment for your potential consumers.

In this article, we’ll discuss everything about ADA compliance along with a quick checklist. So, let’s dive in!

What is ADA compliance and what does it mean for websites?

The American Disabilities Act was instituted in 1990. This compliance has encouraged organizations to accommodate employees with disabilities from the very beginning reasonably. This initiative of ADA had led to a revolutionary movement. This movement had made it possible to include wheelchairs, accessible restrooms, and other accessible accessories in the office campus.

Previously ADA compliance was restricted to physical offices and workspaces only. However, in 2010 the Department of Justice (DOJ) extended the ADA to include websites in its purview. Still, there is some ambiguity about the rules that govern web accessibility covered under the ADA.

However the question that stands here is, if there are no specific set of regulations, how do you measure whether your website is accessible or not?

You can refer to the WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines. WCAG is the cornerstone of the majority of accessibility laws across the world. It includes globally accepted standards for web accessibility that websites should follow to establish accessibility and equal access to information for all users.