Websites & Accessibility
An elevator for your website
Accessibility compliance for a website? Most of us are aware that regulations exist to make brick & mortar locations accessible. We’re familiar with ADA compliance to include things like ramps, elevators, and access points. It’s less commonly known that there are compliance guidelines for online businesses too. Our business websites should be useable by people of varying abilities and disabilities. We often don’t realize that what seems “okay” to us might be a barrier to someone else. It’s really a social AND legal responsibility to make our online locations welcoming to all.
Overlays are not solutions
What about an overlay tool? You’ll find that option quickly suggested if you do a Google search, and accessibility overlays are common. Overlays add features on top of the existing website to modify it based on the user’s needs. Surprisingly though, when surveyed, the majority of disabled users say that an overlay actually makes their experience worse, not better. The best way to have an accessible website is to address the root issues, not attempt to fix them with a Band-aid.
Where do we start?
So, what should we look for? Here are ten things you can check on your website today.
- Do all images have helpful, descriptive alt text?
- Is semantic HTML structure set up so a screen reader moves through the webpages in a logical order?
- Are fonts dyslexic friendly?
- Does all text meet minimum color contrast standards?
- Are captions provided for any video or audio elements?
- Can movement (animations or video) be stopped at will by the viewer?
- Can the site be effectively navigated with a keyboard?
- Is the viewer alerted when a link will open in a new window?
- Do buttons have specific, descriptive text instead of generic phrases like “Read More” or “Learn More”?
- Do all forms have labels that remain visible while the form is being completed?
Ready for the risk?
Accessibility is complex and covers a wide variety of issues, much more than what we can cover here. The legal risks are huge. In 2022, more than 3,200 lawsuits were filed in federal court (Codemantra). Non-compliance can result in staggering fines. They range from several thousand dollars to millions. And ignorance isn’t a defense. Unless you are well-versed in the guidelines, it’s important to consult with an accessibility specialist to make sure that your website complies with accessibility guidelines.
Wondering if your website passes the test? Get your site audited and find out!