As more people turn to the internet for all their needs, it has become critical for businesses to ensure that their website is accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities. By making your website ADA compliant, you’re not only widening your customer base, but also ensuring that you don’t face legal trouble from a lawsuit. So, if you’d like to enjoy these benefits by learning how to make your website ADA compliant, you’re in the right place!
In this blog post, we will provide a guide on how to make your website ADA compliant, so you don’t leave any of your customers behind!
Why It’s Important to Make Your Website ADA Compliant
According to the CDC, about 1 in 4 adults have some type of disability in the USA, which means this is a market that businesses can’t afford to ignore. Of course, people with disabilities also have the right to access all the services and products like anyone else.
For instance, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), disabled customers should be able to access goods and services, as well as information, via the internet. In fact, failing to make your website ADA compliant could lead to potential legal action, which is why it is essential to take the required measures.
How to Make Your Website ADA Compliant
Ready to make sure your website is accessible to all? Here are some tips to help make your website ADA compliant.
1. Provide Alt Text for Images
Images on your website should be accompanied by an alternate text (alt text) that accurately describes the image for people who use screen readers. And as a bonus, alt text also helps search engines understand the context of the image, enhancing your SEO results.
2. Add Captions or Transcripts for Audio and Video Content
For people with hearing disabilities, adding captions or transcripts is crucial. This makes it easier for users that are deaf or hard of hearing to enjoy audio and video content. Plus, doing so also ensures that your website is compatible with hardware devices such as Braille displays.
3. Make Your Website Keyboard-Friendly
Individuals who can’t use a mouse rely entirely on the keyboard to navigate through your website. So, ensure that your website is keyboard-friendly by enabling tabbing and using proper keyboard shortcuts.
4. Ensure Your Website Has Proper Color Contrast
Color contrast is important for individuals with visual impairment. You’ll need to make sure that the text on your website is easy to read, and the contrast between the text and the background is appropriate.
5. Use Headings and Subheadings
Finally, headings and subheadings make it easy for all users to understand the content on your website, especially individuals with cognitive impairments. This involves using the proper HTML structure and applying heading tags correctly to your text.
The Bottom Line
Making your website ADA compliant is not only the right thing to do; it also opens up a whole demographic of customers that would otherwise have been left out. Fortunately, by following the above five steps, you’ll be well on your way to making your website accessible to all. Let’s make the web a more inclusive space for everyone!
Need a hand making your website ADA compliant? If so, we’d be happy to help! Click here to get in touch with Canopy Media, and book your free online marketing consultation today.
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