Accessibility isn't just good practice—it's the law. That means even your website must adhere to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines to guarantee equal access for all users, including those with disabilities. If your website isn’t already ADA-compliant, don’t panic! In today’s article, we’re exploring some key aspects of digital accessibility and how you can ensure your website meets these important standards.

4 Steps to Make Your Website More Accessible

We’re here to help! Our article today goes over four steps to enhance your website, from understanding ADA requirements to implementing them on your website. Let’s dive in…

Step #1 - Understand ADA Requirements

The ADA mandates that public-facing websites must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes providing alternative means of accessing content for people who have visual, auditory, physical, or cognitive disabilities. We’re going to go over some ways to adjust your website to make it more accessible, but you can also check out a comprehensive guide on ADA website compliance here.

Step #2 – Avoiding Common ADA Violations

To avoid legal complications and ensure inclusivity, we suggest addressing common ADA violations:

Lack of Descriptive Alt Text: Having alternative text (alt text) on all images on your website that describes their content or function. This assists users who rely on screen readers.
Low Contrasting Colors: Make sure your website has text and background colors with sufficient contrast to guarantee readability for users with visual impairments.
Non-Responsive UI: Your website should be responsive and adaptable to different devices and screen sizes, providing a seamless experience for all users.
Not Allowing Keyboard Navigation: Ensuring your website allows users to not have to rely on a mouse. Users should be able to navigate and interact with the website using only a keyboard.
No Captions on Videos: Videos on your website should include captions or transcripts to create accessibility for users who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Step #3 – Creating Tools and Strategies for Website Accessibility

Implementing accessibility features on your website enhances user experience for all users. Consider integrating:

Website Plugins: Plugins (like accessiBe) can automatically improve accessibility features on your site by adding things like alt text to images and captions to videos.
Image Descriptors: Make sure all images have descriptive alt text that provides context or describes the image's content.
Captions on Video Content: Include captions or provide transcripts for videos to make audio content accessible to everyone who visits your website.

Step #4 – Enhance Your Website Accessibility with Lawson House

Lawson House is here to help make your website ADA-compliant. Clients who sign up for our website maintenance package will receive our ADA plugin for free! This plugin not only levels up your website's accessibility features and improves usability, but it also makes sure you’re compliant with ADA guidelines.

By prioritizing digital accessibility, you not only meet legal requirements but also create a more inclusive online environment. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you enhance your website's accessibility!

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