ADA Website Compliance Guide in 2024

In today’s digital age, online platforms are the primary means to access businesses and government services. Unfortunately, more than 1.3 billion, or 16% of the global population, are individuals with disabilities who often face significant barriers when attempting to use these services.

This is due to the inaccessibility of many websites and mobile applications. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlighted in 2018 that nearly 70% of federal and local government services websites had accessibility issues.

This inaccessibility has multiple repercussions for the website owners. They face possible lawsuits, penalties, security breaches, and possible online reputational damage. Non-compliance with websites can also lead to a loss of clientele of the 1.3 billion users who cannot access the website.

Ensuring digital accessibility is thus a legal and moral imperative, fostering inclusivity and equal access for all. Creating an ADA-compliant website requires a considerable investment of time, effort, and expertise that not all website owners may not have. It however need not be challenging for website owners to ensure website compliance.

There are many accessibility specialists to help, like ADA Site Compliance. We take care of your website compliance so that you can focus on what you do best, which is running your business.

ADA and Digital Accessibility

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), was established in the year 1990, and it prohibits any form of discrimination against individuals based on their disability in all areas of public life. It serves as a cornerstone for civil rights law guaranteeing equal access for everyone, including people with disabilities (PWDs), to all information, services, and products.

It includes public spaces and services like hotels, government offices, and parks. However, its application in the digital world is not straightforward. The focus of the Act was initially on the physical accessibility of users.

However, interpretations by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and federal courts have changed things wherein the Act mandated its reach to encompass digital accessibility. According to these rulings, government websites and those operated by public entities must adhere to the ADA’s non-discrimination mandates as per these key legal considerations:

1. Title II and Public Entities:

Title II of the ADA applies to state and local government entities, which include public institutions, transportation authorities, and emergency response services. As per DOJ regulations, all websites operated by these entities must conform to WCAG 2.1 AA standards to meet ADA compliance requirements.

2. Title III and Public Accommodations:

Title III of the ADA applies to all public-facing businesses, like banks, universities, transportation providers, and real estate companies. The Department of Justice accordingly mandates that these entity websites are considered places of public accommodation and must thus be accessible to users with disabilities.

While Title III does not establish specific technical benchmarks, its adherence to WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines strongly indicates good faith efforts toward digital compliance.

3. State and Local Government Considerations:

The State and Local Government Primer comprises ADA regulations for state and local government entities. It offers additional guidance to achieve equal access to digital products and websites for PWDs in all government programs and services.

It is in tandem with the growing emphasis on ensuring digital accessibility across all levels of government.

Additionally, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that federal agencies ensure accessibility in all forms of communication, including electronic and information technology. Accordingly, government websites must be accessible, thus setting a precedent for improved web accessibility guidelines.

However, the ADA does not explicitly mention websites but “electronic and information technology,”. Based on this, websites could fall under Title II of the ADA. It is this indefinite that frustrates disability rights advocates.

The growing importance of the digital world mandates proactive measures to ensure web accessibility. Failure to comply can lead to website owners facing legal risks and obstructing users and people with disabilities from accessing websites and the digital realm

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and the ADA

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) created the web content accessibility guidelines to maintain an international standard for website compliance. It was the work of multiple stakeholders, including industry leaders, disability organizations, government representatives, people with disabilities, and accessibility experts, that collectively contributed their expertise and experiences to shape the guidelines.

Today, the WCAG is the primary framework for ensuring website accessibility despite the lack of specific technical guidelines for online content in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These guidelines are essential for federal agencies and their contractors, as they must comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which, in turn, requires WCAG compliance.

The lack of explicit ADA standards creates confusion for the digital assets of private-sector businesses. To eliminate the confusion, the Department of Justice (DOJ) recognizes WCAG as a fundamental measure of website accessibility under the ADA, where WCAG 2.0 AA is often the minimum requirement for legal compliance.

However, businesses should aim for WCAG 2.1 AA or WCAG 2.2 compliance to minimize legal exposure and protect their websites from exorbitant fees. The reason is that WCAG 2.1 enhances accessibility for mobile users, which is necessary to accommodate the increasing dominance of mobile internet traffic.

On the contrary, WCAG 2.2 introduces several new criteria for better website compliance for users with various disabilities. These disabilities include visual, hearing, speech, cognitive, learning, and mobility impairments, and are applicable across multiple devices such as desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

The DOJ has not officially adopted WCAG as the ADA standard for website compliance.

However, legal precedents and industry best practices reinforce its critical role in achieving website accessibility. In the case of businesses that neglect WCAG compliance, they risk not only legal repercussions but also potential damage to their online reputation.

Ensuring an inclusive online environment is essential, and adherence to WCAG guidelines is a proactive step towards inclusivity for a wider reach and, consequently, improved business for the website owner.

The POUR Principles: The Foundation of WCAG Accessibility

The WCAG is the cornerstone of web accessibility, comparable to a comprehensive blueprint for crafting inclusive digital experiences. Legal mandates surrounding web accessibility tend to vary by region.

However, WCAG offers internationally recognized best practices that ensure users with diverse abilities can easily access and navigate websites.

Four core principles form the foundation for this framework, and the acronym POUR:

• i) Perceivable:

  According to this principle, users with various sensory disabilities like visual or auditory limitations should be able to detect your website information easily. To ensure this, WCAG mandates web owners to use the following on their websites:

  • Alternative text descriptions for images,
  • Captions and transcripts for audio content,
  • Adequate color contrast ratios for text and background elements

• ii) Operable:

  As per the second principle, your website users having dexterity and motor limitations must be able to operate your user interfaces and functionalities without having to depend on a mouse. WCAG thus dictates that all interactive elements on your website, like navigation menus, forms, and buttons, be fully functional using a keyboard or assistive technologies.

• iii) Understandable:

  The third principle mandates that website visitors with cognitive or learning disabilities should be able to clearly and easily understand your website content. It means your website content should be easily readable and understood.

  To ensure website visitors can grasp your website information, WCAG emphasizes using:

  • Plain language
  • Consistent terminology
  • Simple sentence structures

• iv) Robust:

  According to the fourth principle, WCAG requires all websites and mobile apps to be compatible with multiple current and future-oriented assistive technologies. It is made possible using interoperable coding practices that are easily adaptable to evolving assistive technologies. It in the process, protects and ensures long-term accessibility with the progress of technology.

  So by adhering to these POUR principles, website owners thus create a more inclusive digital environment and ensure their online content is accessible to a broader and inclusive audience.

Accessibility: A Commitment to Excellence and Equal Access

Ensuring that your website complies with ADA regulations is not a one-step process. It is a meticulous and systematic process comprising a thorough examination and strategic remediation. It is even more necessary after updating or redesigning your website.

Complete web compliance checklist generally comprises the following two steps:

Step 1: Comprehensive WCAG Assessment

1. Automated Test:

The process starts with using the help of automated tools to perform an initial scan of your website. It is to identify any elementary WCAG compliance issues on the site, is not a complete scan, and is the first of two steps. This step identifies only about 30% of possible website accessibility barriers and is okay for monitoring new content.

2. Expert Manual Analysis:

However, a more comprehensive approach is necessary if the site’s core features or templates undergo multiple changes. It includes manual testing and using assistive technologies to evaluate the user experience for individuals with disabilities.

So once done with an automated scan, qualified auditors specializing in WCAG compliance conduct an in-depth review. It includes a detailed website code analysis and other possible situations with possible sensitive compliance issues.

3. Assistive Technology:

As users with disabilities rely on screen readers and other assistive technologies, the next step involves testing the website with these tools. This real-world user interaction assesses how easily individuals with disabilities can navigate the website.

It is still unclear who should perform this audit using assistive technologies. While some advocate that it is better if individuals with disabilities perform the test, others suggest expert auditors make a good choice.

The best auditor thoroughly understands WCAG standards and can understand website code. These qualifications ensure they provide the proper steps for the website owner to take to ensure website compliance.

Step 2: Website Remediation

The audit gives you a list of recommendations for website compliance. You can have your design, content, and development teams work with the accessibility experts to make the required changes and solutions.

With the remediation process depending on the audit, an expert who can thoroughly assess the website and provide a complete remediation solution must conduct it.

Besides, it is easier for your team to tackle all the remediation tasks if the report is detailed with clear instructions. In case of reports that do not provide complete remediation details and structure, then it is better to complete the remediation with an accessibility professional.

Be Wary of Quick-Fix Solutions

Be careful about those accessible overlays, toolbars, or widgets marketed as quick fixes for ADA compliance. These solutions usually provide superficial remedies that do not help address your website code’s underlying accessibility issues.

Consequently, about a third of the website accessibility lawsuits in 2023 were at websites relying on overlay solutions. Legal experts easily identify overlays that render your website vulnerable to litigation as they do not resolve core code issues.

Following this comprehensive two-step approach while avoiding misleading shortcuts ensures your website complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and that more users can access it.

ADA Website Compliance Checklist

The WCAG 2.2 guidelines comprise 17 essential criteria websites must meet to achieve ADA website compliance and WCAG conformance. Although some organizations strive for lower levels of compliance, compliance with WCAG Level AA is considered the best practice for ensuring web accessibility. These guidelines include:

a) Color Contrast:

The wrong color combination can make reading website content and instructions difficult for the visually impaired. The solution is to maintain sufficient contrast between foreground text and background colors.

b) Legal Compliance:

A non-compliant website or digital product risks facing potential legal issues like expensive lawsuits. Ensuring legal compliance and staying informed about changes made to ADA and WCAG regulations can prevent them.

When compared, the costs of a website audit and remediation are usually much lower than the potential fines a website owner may face for a non-compliant website.

c) Clear Naming and ARIA Labels:

Using the proper ambiguous names and ARIA labels for your website buttons improves navigation for the visually impaired or those with hearing issues. In the process, it makes it easier for website visitors to explore your website.

d) Make Use of Descriptive Alt Text:

Screen reader users find it easier to navigate websites if you use alt text descriptions for other non-text website elements like images and buttons. Screen readers help the visually impaired by ‘reading’ your website text for them. They can recognize the descriptive alt text in images and buttons and thus help your visitors understand your content better.

e) Accessible Digital Products like PDFs:

Any digital products you use, like PDFs, should be formatted to be accessible by assistive technology users. Remember that people using the internet are looking for information they may come across in various formats. Ensuring they access all your website content helps improve your website accessibility.

f) Provide Video Captions:

Including captions for all video content, both narrated and not, improves accessibility for your users with hearing impairments. Ensuring the captions are synchronized provides for better understanding and minimizes possible confusion.

g) Provide Text Transcripts:

Another step to improve accessibility for those with hearing difficulties is to provide text transcripts for all website audio content.

h) Accessible Forms:

When designing online forms, ensure they are accessible. It includes offering clear labels and a logical flow so that users with disabilities can navigate them with the keyboard.

i) Dyslexia-Friendly Fonts:

Using dyslexia-friendly fonts on your website enhances readability for users with dyslexia, thus increasing your website visitors.

j) Avoid Flashing Images:

There is a chance of flashing images triggering seizures or other adverse reactions in some people. It is thus better to avoid using them on your website.

k) Zoom Capability:

Webiste vistiros may require to enlarge some font for better readability. Letting website users zoom in and enlarge text and content using browser functionalities improves accessibility.

l) Skip Navigation Links:

Including skip navigation links in your website helps screen reader and keyboard users quickly access the main content they need.

m) Implement Content Hierarchy:

Use proper headings and subheadings to organize your content and to indicate its importance.

n) Descriptive Anchor Text:

Providing clear and descriptive anchor text for all website hyperlinks improves your website’s usability in two ways. It benefits users by making it easier to navigate through the website and provides better search engine visibility for your website.

o) Keyboard Accessibility:

You may have visitors who navigate your website not with a mouse but with the help of a keyboard. Ensuring the navigation and operation of website functionalities using only a keyboard helps them.

p) Easy Error Reporting:

Everyone looks for convenience in everything they do, including reporting errors. As your visitors may face error issues on your website, offering a conveniently accessible means of reporting accessibility issues enables swift rectification.

q) Contact Information:

Similarly, make your contact details like email and telephone number readily accessible for users who require assistance or have accessibility inquiries.

Regularly updating your accessibility practices according to the WCAG checklist and keeping abreast of legal and technological changes will ensure your website remains inclusive content accessible and user-friendly for all visitors.

Achieving Superior Web Accessibility Per WCAG Principles

While maintaining Level AA compliance provides digital accessibility, striving for WCAG 2.1 Level AAA compliance demonstrates a profound commitment to creating inclusive digital environments. While achieving Level AAA is not always feasible or mandated, it does signify a dedication to accessibility excellence.

The key components of WCAG 2.1 Level AAA compliance include:

1. Enhanced Media Accessibility:

Research indicates that pre-recorded sign language is better at articulating emotions in clearer and more concise language through mobile devices than captions and text subtitles. So, to cater to your deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences, ensure all your videos have sign language translations and captions.

Comprehensive audio descriptions are a must for videos with minimal natural pauses. Additionally, implementing video playback controls to pause and explain visual content in detail enhances accessibility.

Similarly, transcripts ensure that users with visual impairments can access any form of audio-only web content.

2. Using Effective Text Alternatives:

Relying solely on captions and audio descriptions on a web page, however, may not be enough to improve accessibility in the case of users with both visual and hearing impairments. The solution is to provide detailed text alternatives that ensure your website material is accessible via screen readers and other assistive technologies.

The visually impaired generally rely on well-written alt text to understand the content of images. They also help users navigate through your website information. The effective use of alt text offers more benefits to your website than increased accessibility.

They also provide context for search engines and, in the process, improve website discoverability.

3. Accessible Live Audio-Only Events:

If you have a live audio event playing or an audio recording on your website, it can be challenging for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community to access it. Offering real-time text alternatives, like live captions or scripts, provides complete information access during these events.

4. Maintain Minimal Animations and Content Transitions

Maintain all website animations and content transitions below three flashes per second. This move will help users with photosensitive epilepsy and visitors with cognitive or learning disabilities.

Besides, some flashing material can cause seizures or disturb their focus, preventing website engagement. Smooth transitions and non-flickering animations on the website help make the user experience more accessible and comfortable.

5. Ensuring Keyboard Usability and Responsive Design:

A responsive design guarantees the flawless function of websites across various devices, including those individuals with motor skill limitations use. Additionally, providing keyboard navigation using the Tab and Shift keys is crucial for users who cannot utilize a mouse.

6. Maintaining Clear and Consistent Interfaces:

A user-friendly interface is fundamental for all users but is especially critical for users with cognitive or visual processing limitations. As per WCAG, a clear and consistent webpage structure, logical navigation menus, and high-contrast color schemes with a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1, all contribute to a predictable and seamless user experience.

7. Implementing Error Prevention and User Support:

Incorporating auto-fill functionality and error suggestions in your web forms makes the user experience for individuals with disabilities who may find repetitive form-filling difficult so much easier. These features help as they minimize the need for manual data entry and provide immediate error correction. These steps, in turn, aid in reducing user frustration.

The Tangible Benefits of ADA-Compliant Websites

It is not only to ensure legal compliance. ADA website compliance also offers a strategic or tangible advantage for businesses. By prioritizing accessibility, organizations benefit by being able to cultivate a more inclusive online environment.

It thus demonstrably improves user experience and fuels business growth, giving more reason to ensure digital accessibility. Here’s a compelling breakdown of the integral advantages of ensuring ADA-compliant websites:

1. Better User Experience:

Accessible design principles, like intuitive layouts and clear navigation, relate to a user-friendly experience for all your website visitors. This emphasis on usability leads to measurable improvements in your web traffic metrics, which include reduced bounce rates and longer dwell times. These improvements, in turn, lead to a more engaged user base.

2. Mobile Optimization:

With most internet users accessing the internet via mobile phones, ensuring a seamless user experience across all devices is essential. Accordingly, WCAG guidelines promote mobile accessibility by mandating a responsive design and touch-friendly elements of web pages so that users can conveniently access and engage with your website on smartphones and tablets.

3. Improved Readability:

Clear and concise text formatting, logical content organization, and appropriate font choices are hallmarks of accessible websites. These elements enhance readability, allowing users to locate the information they seek and fostering a positive user experience [Source: W3C WAI].

4. Visual Harmony:

The WCAG also emphasizes avoiding visually distracting design elements and maintaining sufficient color contrast. It leads to aesthetically pleasing websites that are visually appealing and easier for users with visual impairments or those experiencing screen glare to navigate.

5. Boosted Conversions:

Did you know that accessible websites can also lead to higher conversion rates? A streamlined website navigation and ensuring all web forms, blog posts, and product pages are readily understandable, and in turn, increases user engagement.

With this, your website visitors are more likely to engage with your calls to action, complete your forms, and even convert to make purchases.

6. Broader Audience Reach:

WCAG standards on your website benefit all your users, including those who rely on assistive technologies or even those with slower internet connections. You thus have a broader audience to your website that effectively interacts with and accesses your website’s content to expand your potential customer base.

In essence, WCAG is more like a roadmap that creates legally compliant and user-centric websites. By prioritizing accessibility, you can thus achieve your marketing and sales objectives while fostering to a more inclusive and beneficial digital environment.

Exceeding WCAG 2.1 Level AA: Flexibility and Beyond

The benchmark for web and mobile app and accessibility requirements in a typical state or local government is the WCAG 2.1 Level AA standard, which should be considered the starting point and not a limit for web compliance. According to the DOJ regulations, state and local entities can adopt “equivalent facilitation,” wherein web designers and website owners can use alternative designs, methods, or techniques that provide equal or better accessibility and usability for users with disabilities.

This flexibility permits the incorporation of new web accessibility standards by governments. Take, for example, a state park department’s mobile campground reservation app. They can implement it as long as it surpasses the accessibility standards of WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

Furthermore, with new versions of WCAG, like version 3.0, comes more extensive guidelines that website owners can adopt to enhance web accessibility compliance even more.

While there may be new versions of WCAG with time, it is essential to know that the core requirements of the ADA remain unchanged. It means the state and local governments must still ensure effective communication, reasonable modifications, and equitable access to services, programs, and activities for individuals with disabilities.

Accordingly, it also reminds us that website developers must continuously work at providing accessible web content for all formats, even if web content or mobile applications do not strictly adhere to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the new accessibility law in 2024?

While 2024 has not ushered in an entirely new accessibility legislation, it did add clarity for U.S. state and local governments. The Department of Justice’s update to Title II of the ADA in April 2024 addresses the accessibility requirements for public services, their websites, and mobile apps.

This update ensures equal accessibility for citizens with disabilities by ensuring WCAG compliance for these government entities and having specific deadlines to achieve this goal.

2. Is ADA compliance mandatory for websites?

The ADA itself does not have a definitive provision for website accessibility compliance. However, the legal interpretations have grown increasingly clearer. Public-facing websites of government agencies and businesses with physical locations now fall under the ADA umbrella.

Thus lack of priority for accessibility excludes a significant portion of the population, consequently exposing these organizations to potential lawsuits.

3. How do I keep my website ADA-compliant?

Maintaining ADA compliance is an ongoing process achieved through regular website audits with automated testing tools and manual audits. The audit identifies and addresses all potential website accessibility barriers.

It is better to prioritize WCAG 2.1 AA conformance as a foundation for digital compliance and to strive for AAA where possible. It helps in creating a more inclusive experience for all users. Remember, features like keyboard navigation, informative alt text, and clear interfaces ensure full and equal enjoyment and access for everyone.

4. What are the ADA levels of compliance for websites?

The ADA does not dictate any specific compliance levels. However, WCAG 2.1 serves as the industry standard for website compliance. WCAG offers three tiers for compliance: A, AA, and AAA where level AA is considered the legal benchmark. Organizations aiming for exceptional accessibility should strive for AAA conformance.

5. What are the 508 guidelines for web accessibility?

The WCAG does set the global benchmark for web accessibility. However, the US government enforces stricter regulations through Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. It ensures federal websites meet WCAG conformance criteria, thus guaranteeing accessible government web pages and web content accessible for people with disabilities. So, while WCAG forms the foundation, Section 508 mandates compliance for US federal websites.

The Evolving Landscape of Accessibility: A Shared Responsibility

The quest for web accessibility is an ongoing endeavor fueled by the ever-changing needs of users with disabilities. Their needs lead to new assistive technologies and evolved user behaviors, resulting in the continuous adaptation and refinement of accessibility best practices.

The upcoming WCAG 3.0 looks to raise the bar yet again, necessitating stricter accessibility standards.

Achieving ADA compliance may indeed necessitate an initial investment.

However, the long-term benefits are evident and undeniable.

An accessible website fosters a positive user experience for all website visitors, regardless of their ability. It strengthens brand reputation, unlocks new market opportunities, and mitigates potential legal risks.

Negotiating the intricacies of creating an ADA-compliant website need not be a solitary venture.

Partner with a reputable accessibility specialist like ADA Site Compliance. We have a team of accessibility experts harboring in-depth knowledge of WCAG standards and relevant legislation, including HB21-1110. We offer strategic guidance and support to craft a compliant and inclusive website.

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