ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance ensures that individuals with disabilities can access digital content on your website without barriers. Proper structuring, readability, and navigation are key to making content inclusive for ALL the users on your site!
In this guide, we’ll cover essential best practices for making webpages ADA-compliant (and have a BIG checklist at the end to sum it all up and make it easier to implement!). Let’s jump in!
Making Webpage Content and Elements ADA-Compliant
Making Webpage Design and Navigation is ADA-Compliant
Use Text and Fonts that are Accessible
Ensure font and letter spacing are easy to read and text color is in contrast with surrounding elements and background. Allow font size to be increased for visibility without disrupting the flow of the webpage.
Maintain Proper Color Contrast
Webpages must meet WCAG 2.0 AA contrast standards. All text on your website must have color contrast ratio between the foreground text and its background to ensure readability for users, especially those with visual impairments. This requirement applies to regular text as well as text that is part of an image. For normal-sized text, ensure the contrast ratio is at least 4½:1. For larger text (18pt or larger, or 14pt bold), a contrast ratio of 3:1 is acceptable.
Ensure Navigation is ADA Compliant
- Add a “Skip to Main Content” link to help screen reader users bypass repetitive elements.
- Ensure navigation menus have ARIA roles and labels for screen readers.
- Set the language of the site by using <html lang=”en”> to help screen readers pronounce words correctly.
- Ensure pop-ups are clearly labeled (include ARIA labels) and can be dismissed with the keyboard.
Making Sure Webpage Media is ADA-Compliant
Start Your ADA Compliance Today!
By making your webpages accessible, you ensure that all users, regardless of ability, can interact with your content. Start today by reviewing your existing content and making necessary adjustments. Small changes can make a huge impact!