The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination based on disability. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken the position that websites are places of public accommodation, and therefore, must be accessible to people with disabilities.
While there are no specific regulations outlining the exact technical requirements for website accessibility, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are widely recognized as the gold standard.
The penalties for non-compliance with the ADA can be significant. In 2022 alone, there were over 3,500 website accessibility lawsuits filed in the United States. These lawsuits can result in hefty fines, legal fees, and reputational damage.
Benefits of having an accessible Website
Here are some of the benefits of having an ADA-compliant website:
Profiting off a vastly untapped market
A 2018 study by the Pew Research Center found that adults with disabilities have an estimated spending power of $830 billion annually in the United States alone. By making your website accessible, you’re tapping into this vast and often overlooked market
Improved SEO
Search engines like Google prioritize websites that are user-friendly and accessible. When your website is optimized for accessibility, it can actually improve your search engine ranking, leading to increased organic traffic.
Tax incentives
The U.S. government is all in on helping businesses that follow the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you make your website accessible to people with disabilities, you could actually score some tax credits.
That’s right. By ensuring your site is user-friendly for everyone, you could be eligible for credits worth up to $5,000. It’s a win-win: you’re making your business more inclusive and potentially saving money in the process.
Making Your Website Accessible
Now, you might be wondering, “Where do I even begin with making my website accessible?” Here’s a detailed guide to get you started:
Start with a Thorough Website Audit
The first step in making your website accessible is to understand its current state. A website accessibility audit provides a clear picture of existing barriers that might be making it tough for people with disabilities to use your content.
You’ll have to use both automated tools, which quickly hunt down common issues, and manual testing, where you experience your site as someone with a disability might.
Focus on Key Website Features
Not everything on your website needs the same level of attention when it comes to accessibility. Zero in on the stuff that really impacts user experience and accessibility. This means paying special attention to things like navigation, content, forms, and multimedia.
Making sure these elements are accessible will make your site much easier for everyone to use.
Invest in Accessibility Tools
You should also consider using an accessibility overlay tool like accessiBe. This tool is designed to make your website more accessible without requiring a lot of technical know-how. Here’s how it works:
accessiBe uses advanced AI technology to scan your website and detect any accessibility issues. This AI isn’t just for show. It actively identifies problems, such as missing image descriptions or difficult-to-read text, and suggests how to fix them.
What’s even better is that accessiBe doesn’t just point out the issues; it automatically implements the solutions in real-time.
For example, if it finds an image without a description, accessiBe will generate one for you, ensuring that visually impaired users can understand the content. It also adjusts things like color contrast and font sizes to improve readability.
At Abacus Web Services, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve top-notch web accessibility with ease. Our team can guide you through integrating accessiBe, so you don’t have to worry about the complexities of compliance.
With accessiBe, you can focus on growing your business while we take care of making sure your website is accessible to everyone.
Ready to make your website accessible? Contact Abacus Web Services today for a free consultation. Let us help you create a website that welcomes everyone.
