The internet was supposed to be the great equalizer, a democratic space where everyone is welcome to spread their wings and thrive. Fast-forward to today, and it’s fair to say things haven’t worked out quite as people imagined.
One point of concern is that far too many websites are leaving people with disabilities behind. Inaccessible navigation, unreadable text, missing alt text, and incompatible features that complicate the job of screen readers probably don’t cross our minds that often. However, they are just a few of many barriers millions face in their online environment every day.
And while this may sound just like another user experience issue, it’s slowly but surely turning into a serious legal liability. In fact, websites that fail to comply with the regulations set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its European equivalent, called the European Accessibility Act (EAA), face severe legal issues. Yes, there’s a lot at stake, so let’s break down the basics of what makes an EAA- and ADA-compliant website and how you can get there.
What makes a website ADA compliant?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), originally passed in 1990 to prevent disability-based discrimination, was revised and made its way into the digital realm in 2019 with a Supreme Court decision. This means that US businesses must now run an ADA-compliant website, or they’re playing a very risky game.
Likewise, the European Accessibility Act (EAA), requires European businesses to make sure their websites comply with the recommended accessibility guidelines. Failing to do so can result in fines or even lawsuits.
As a result, non-compliance isn’t a matter of will it hurt your business, but when. With legal cases on the rise, Google starting to factor accessibility into SEO, and a growing wave of consumer expectations around inclusivity, non-ADA/EAA compliant websites are facing a mass extinction event.
But first things first. While there is no official ‘ADA/EAA seal of approval’ you can slap on your website, compliance follows a globally recognized set of standards. Both ADA and EAA follow the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
Main provisions covered by WCAG:
- Text alternatives: Images should have alt text so screen readers can describe them to people who can’t see the image.
- Keyboard accessibility: All website functionality should be accessible without the mouse.
- Readable content: Website design should include clear fonts and proper contrasts for visual clarity, while avoiding flashing visuals.
- Navigability: Logical heading structure, skip links for quick navigation, and consistent layout to avoid confusion.
- Screen reader compatibility: Assistive technology should be able to interpret your site content without crashing into dead ends.
A website that doesn’t tick all of these checkpoints opens the door to legal scrutiny and costly liability issues.
How to get ADA compliant?
Not sure if your site meets these standards? Well, if you haven’t given ADA and EAA compliance much thought, the chances are it doesn’t. Research has shown that as much as 95% of the most visited websites still have easily detectable accessibility issues that make them vulnerable.
The good news? You can enlist the help of professionals who specialize in helping businesses steer clear of bad PR and unwanted legal tangles. More good news? You probably won’t have to rebuild your entire website from scratch. Here’s how experts at ACCESS can boost your compliance score and help users with disabilities enjoy browsing your online content in just 3 steps:
Step 1: Run an accessibility audit
Our auditing service will conduct a professional assessment of your website to detect pressing and potential issues. We create an in-depth report on your accessibility weaknesses and an outline of actionable solutions going forward.
Step 2: Use a widget to fix & resolve
Our easy-to-install widget can be added to almost any CMS platform. Through a combination of automatic identification and instant fixes, we’ll make accessibility improvements with zero inconvenience or disruption to the normal workflow of your website.
Step 3: Keep testing to stay compliant
While our clever AI tools ensure seamless integration with your CMS platform and customizable UI that enhances the browsing experience of your website, it’s important to keep in mind that staying aligned with changing EAA and ADA accessibility standards requires vigilance. One moment, everything seems in line, and the next, you could be swamped with complaints. It only takes a moment of negligence and one influential voice to ruin your social media reputation. That’s why on-demand accessibility scans and reauditing are the only way to stay on your toes.
Who should I contact to ensure EAA & ADA-compliance for my website?
If you’re interested in learning about common website accessibility pitfalls, why accessibility complaints are a danger to your business, or how to ensure EAA and ADA-compliance, the experts at includeUs (or one of our reputable UK competitors) are the ones to call. Let our online accessibility specialists take a closer look at your online presence, and we’ll safeguard you from unnecessary legal fees, financial penalties, costly settlements, and a bad reputation that can damage your brand.
We offer an automated and affordable solution to all your existing and future ADA and EAA accessibility issues, so get in touch with us without delay!
