Is My Website ADA Compliant? Let’s Clear That Up
If you’ve been searching for how to create an “ADA compliant website,” you’re asking a great question, but using the wrong phrase (don’t worry, almost everyone does).
The truth is, “ADA compliance” isn’t something a website can technically achieve. But understanding why that’s the case will help you actually make your site accessible to everyone, and avoid unnecessary legal risk along the way.
Let’s break down what all of this really means.
ADA vs. Web Accessibility: What’s the Connection?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed back in 1990, is a civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination. It requires equal access to public spaces like stores, restaurants, offices, and state and local governments.
But here’s the catch: the ADA never actually mentions websites. (The law was written before most people even had an email address!)
Over the past decade, though, courts have ruled that websites are “public accommodations,” especially for businesses that serve the public. That means your website needs to be accessible, but the ADA doesn’t tell you how to do that.
For the “how,” we look to a completely different set of rules: the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, often shortened to WCAG.
The Real Standard: WCAG (Not ADA “Compliance”)
If ADA is the law, WCAG is the manual that explains how to follow it!
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines were created by the World Wide Web Consortium (the same organization that maintains the technical standards of the web itself). They outline the principles of web accessibility – how to design and build digital content so that everyone can use it, no matter their ability or device.
The current accessibility standards are WCAG 2.2 (though 2.1 is still the widely adopted standard), and most websites aim to meet what’s called Level AA.
So when someone asks, “Is my site ADA compliant?” what they really mean is: “Does my website follow WCAG guidelines well enough to meet my obligations under the ADA?”
Your goal is to create an accessible website that conforms to WCAG, not to the ADA directly.
What an Accessible Website Actually Includes
There are dozens of criteria in WCAG, but here are some of the core areas that make the biggest difference for users and search engines alike.
#1 Keyboard Navigation
Some users can’t use a mouse or trackpad, so everything (menus, buttons, forms) needs to work by keyboard. Visitors should be able to move through your site using the Tab key, activate links with Enter, and see where their cursor focus is at all times.
#2 Scalable Text and Layouts
Text should resize up to 200% without breaking the page layout or overlapping other content. This helps people with low vision and anyone reading on smaller screens.
#3 Alternative Text for Images
Screen readers rely on alt text to describe images. Every image that conveys information needs a description that explains what it shows. Decorative graphics should have blank alt tags so they’re skipped entirely.
#4 Avoid Flashing or Rapid Animations
Flashing content (more than three times per second) can trigger seizures or migraines for some users. Keep animations smooth and offer controls to pause or stop them.
#5 Logical Heading Structure
Headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) aren’t just for looks. They’re how screen readers navigate a page. Think of them as the table of contents for your site. Always use one H1 per page, with H2s and H3s in proper order.
#6 Clear, Readable Content
Accessibility comes with a ton of technical to-dos, but a big chunk of it is about how easy it is to read your site. Use short sentences, clear language, and good contrast between text and background colors (at least 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text). Good web content is clear, skimmable, and as human-friendly as possible.
#7 Captions and Transcripts
Every video needs captions. Every audio file should have a transcript. This helps people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and honestly, anyone else scrolling without sound.
These might sound like small details, but together, they create a consistent experience for everyone, regardless of ability, device, or bandwidth.
Why Website Accessibility Barriers Are Bad for Business
Making your site accessible is part of running a responsible business, not just a “nice thing to do.”
Here’s why:
In other words, accessibility protects your business and improves the experience for every visitor. When your site is readable, fast, and easy to use, everyone benefits!
Think accessibility doesn’t apply to your business? Check out “My Clients Don’t Have Disabilities” to find out how that mindset holds you back.
How to Check If Your Site Meets Accessibility Standards
If you’re not sure where you stand, start with testing.
You can run your site through a free website accessibility checker like WAVE, axe, or Lighthouse. These tools flag common accessibility errors like missing alt text, poor color contrast, or form labels that don’t match their inputs.
Most tools will give you an accessibility score – a quick snapshot of how your site performs compared to WCAG benchmarks.
But here’s the thing: automated tools just aren’t enough.
Automated accessibility testing is great for catching technical problems, but it can’t always understand context (for example, whether your alt text is actually meaningful).
That’s why manual accessibility testing (done by a person using a screen reader or keyboard-only navigation) is super important.
How to Fix Accessibility Issues
Once you’ve identified your accessibility issues, take them one at a time.
Here’s where to start:
If you’d rather not do all of this on your own, I can help you fix accessibility issues strategically – prioritizing the biggest impacts first, while keeping your site’s design and performance intact.
Some Helpful Tools to Keep Your Site Accessible
Accessibility is an ongoing practice, and the right tools make it easier:
Together, these systems can prevent new problems before they even start.
Accessibility Really Is for Everyone
Accessibility is about people: the visitors who rely on your website to read, watch, buy, or book.
When your site meets accessibility compliance guidelines, you’re not only avoiding legal risk, you’re creating a better experience for everyone. A site that’s easier to navigate, understand, and use is better for your clients and your business.
Whether you’re working on a full redesign or just want to improve what you already have, now is the perfect time to make accessibility part of your normal maintenance process.
Ready to Make Your Website More Accessible?
If you’re not sure how your site measures up, I can help. I run full audits using both automated and manual reviews to uncover barriers and help you prioritize fixes. You’ll get a clear report, your current accessibility score, and a roadmap to reach WCAG conformance.
Let’s make sure your website offers real equal access, not just to meet the rules, but because it’s the right thing to do. Let’s book a time to talk and get the process started.
