We live in a digitally driven world. Things like applying for a job, booking a medical appointment, shopping online, or accessing public services are done online. Now, imagine the frustration of a person with visual or motor disabilities trying to do the same, only to find that the site is impossible to navigate, read, or interact with. This is where ADA-compliant web design becomes not just relevant, but essential.
Over the last few years, ADA website lawsuits have skyrocketed. Industries like retail, healthcare, education, and banking have found themselves in legal crosshairs for not having an accessible digital experience.
Let’s step back and unpack what ADA-compliant web design means, why it matters, the risks of ignoring it, and how your organization can implement it right away.
What Does ADA-Compliant Website Design Actually Mean?
ADA means Americans with Disabilities Act, a civil rights act that came into force in 1990. The main intention behind it was to make physical space accessible. However, the federal and state courts in accessibility lawsuits are considering digital spaces as “places of public accommodation.”
ADA-compliant web design means building and maintaining websites in a way that allows people with disabilities to perceive, navigate, and interact with content just like everyone else. This includes screen reader users, keyboard-only users, and those using assistive technologies.
So when your website design is ADA compliant, you’re not only meeting legal requirements, but you’re also creating an inclusive digital experience for all users.
ADA Web Compliance with WCAG Core Principles
ADA compliance aligns closely with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), currently at version 2.2. These guidelines are built on four core principles, often referred to as POUR:
Perceivable
Users must be able to see or hear your content. This means
- Text alternatives (alt text) for images
- Captions and transcripts for videos
- High contrast between text and background color for better readability
Operable
Users should be able to navigate and interact with your site, whether by mouse, keyboard, or assistive tech. This includes
- Keyboard-only navigation
- Logical tab order
- Avoiding flashing content that can trigger seizures
Understandable
Your website content and interface should be clear and predictable. This includes
- Using plain, concise language
- Providing input instructions for forms
- Ensuring consistent navigation across pages
Robust
Both current and upcoming assistive devices should work with your website. That means
- Clean, semantic HTML
- Using ARIA roles and landmarks correctly
- Avoiding custom UI components that don’t work with screen readers
Together, these principles ensure your website is usable by as many people as possible, regardless of ability.
Common Design Mistakes That Violate ADA Compliance
Even well-intentioned sites often fall short due to avoidable oversights. The following are some of the most typical (and avoidable) mistakes:
No alt text for images or infographics
Alternative text is a brief description attached to images on the webpage. Adding this description assists users with visual impairments in understanding the context of the image. People with visual disabilities rely on screen readers to navigate and understand the web page content.
Important note: Images that are relevant to the webpage content should only be described with alt text. Decorative images should be hidden when leveraging assistive technologies, as such images might distract users and interrupt the content experience, causing confusion among users with disabilities.
Poor color contrast
Users with vision impairment or color blindness can encounter navigation and readability issues. It means that the color contrast between the text on the webpage and its background should be such that people with visual impairments can read it efficiently. This encompasses colored icons or hyperlinked text that is not sufficiently distinct from the background.
Inaccessible form fields
Forms are an essential part of business; users fill out forms when purchasing, subscribing, or setting up appointments for products or services. These forms, when not labeled properly, become inaccessible for users using assistive technologies to fill them out. According to a WebAIM survey, almost 1.7 million form fields lack proper labeling (Ref URL: https://webaim.org/projects/million/#labels ). Semantic HTML alone isn’t enough to make forms accessible to everyone. Aspects like clear instructions, navigation order, keyboard accessibility, and accessible inputs must be considered and effectively implemented to make form fields accessible.
Inconsistent heading structure
Users with disabilities can’t find content or navigate the webpage effectively if clear headings and labels are not added. With consistent headings, you allow the website visitor to quickly comprehend what information is provided on the webpage, its order, and how to navigate the webpage effectively. If the heading structure is inaccurate, it may adversely affect the webpage's SEO rankings.
Buttons and links without context
Accurate context must be offered on every button and link placed on the webpage so that the user can understand what it’s for, whether or not it’s relevant to them. This helps users with disabilities decide whether or not to click on the button or visit the link. If proper context isn’t provided, then such users might click on these links and move onto another page, completely distracting them. Moreover, if the link is relevant and is without context, then they will miss the link and not subscribe to or purchase the product or service.
No keyboard navigation or focus visibility
Website owners must ensure that their entire website is functional by keyboard, so users who are unable to use the mouse due to any cognitive disability can operate it. This assists users who use screen readers in navigating each piece of content effectively.
Auto-playing media with no pause or mute
Media playing automatically when the website opens can be distracting for users leveraging screen readers. Website owners must allow visitors to pause, stop, or mute the auto-playing media. Users with disabilities may have a negative experience as a result of such content. Hence, it’s ideal for you to disable it completely on your website.
As we are now well-versed with the common issues that lead a website to be non-compliant with the ADA standards,
Let’s have a look at the legal repercussions that occur for noncompliance.
Legal Risks of Ignoring ADA Website Compliance
If you think digital accessibility is optional, think again.
ADA Lawsuits are on the rise
According to a survey in the 2023 ADA Website Lawsuit Report, over 4,600 ADA digital accessibility lawsuits were filed in the U.S. in 2023 alone, and that number keeps growing year over year.
Industries Most at Risk
Some sectors are under the legal microscope more than others:
- Retail & E-commerce: Product pages, carts, and checkouts must be fully accessible.
- Healthcare: Patients need to schedule appointments, access portals, and view lab results online.
- Banking & Finance: Users must securely manage accounts and payments independently.
- Education: Both public and private educational establishments need to offer easily accessible learning environments.
- Government Agencies: ADA compliance is non-negotiable for state and federal sites.
Failure to comply can result in costly lawsuits, reputational damage, and the burden of expensive last-minute remediation.
Tips for Designing an ADA-Compliant Website
Good news: making your site accessible isn’t as overwhelming as it sounds, with the right approach and partners.
Here’s how to get started:
Start with an accessibility audit.
You can conduct both manual (human), automated, and semi-automated (hybrid) accessibility audits to identify gaps. Use tools like Skynet Accessibility Checker alongside screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, or Voice Over for testing.
Ensure Keyboard Accessibility
All buttons, menus, modals, slides, and forms should be fully functional via keyboard navigation.
Check Color Contrast Ratios
Utilize tools like Skynet Technologies' color contrast checker to ensure text is easily readable against its background
Use Accessible Fonts
Stick to clean, legible fonts. Avoid ornate typefaces. Make sure the layout remains intact when text is resized up to 200%.
Add Captions and Transcripts
Videos should include closed captions. Audio-only files must have transcripts.
Use Responsive and Accessible Layouts
Ensure your design adapts to various screen sizes while maintaining accessibility on mobile and tablet.
Test with Assistive Technologies
Test with multiple screen readers and use real users when possible. Simulators are helpful, but don’t replace lived experiences.
Follow an Expert-Backed Accessibility Checklist
Work with accessibility experts to follow a checklist that aligns with WCAG 2.2 and ADA requirements. Consider services like ADA website compliance services for peace of mind.
You May Find This Useful: How much does it cost to remediate a website for ADA compliance?
Conclusion
All in all, website accessibility compliance is a serious phenomenon. Day by day, authorities are enhancing surveillance on digital domains and taking legal action against organizations not complying with the ADA and WCAG accessibility standards.
If you’re thinking that only large organizations like Target and Domino’s Pizza are being scrutinized, you might have heard about their high-profile lawsuits. Then you’re far from reality. In 2023, 77% of the accessibility lawsuits were filed against organizations with under $25 million in revenue.
So, making your website design ADA compliant isn’t optional; it’s a priority. Skynet Technologies offers extensive ADA-compliant accessibility web design and accessibility web development services.
Why choose Skynet Technologies ADA Website Accessibility Remediation Service?
- Broaden market penetration
- Enhanced ability to reach a wider target audience
- Sharpened competitive edge
- Better user experience and usability
- Reduce the chance of legal complications
- Better website visibility
- No compromise on intuitive design
Request a free quote today or directly email us at [email protected] with your queries and requirements.