As more businesses transition online, the need to ensure that all websites are accessible to all users is becoming a legal and ethical “must.” Accessible websites not only provide a more inclusive experience for users, they help businesses comply with laws such as those related to the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). In this post, we’ll discuss why accessibility matters, the legal risks of non-compliance, and how to make your website accessible to all.
Why Accessibility Matters for Businesses
Legal Compliance
The ADA, along with other laws like the Rehabilitation Act, mandates that business provide equal access to goods and services for all, including those with disabilities. While the ADA ruling originally applied to physical spaces, the courts have ruled that it now also extends to websites, as they are considered “places of public accommodation.” This means if your website is not accessible to people with disabilities, you could be in violation of the law and possibly face costly lawsuits, fines, and reputational damage.
In recent years, companies have been sued for having inaccessible websites, with plaintiffs claiming that the site prevented them from accessing products, services, or information. Costly legal fees and settlements could result, along with requirements for businesses to pay for website redesigns, legal fees and damages.
Another risk of non-compliance can affect your ability to operate in certain markets. Government contracts, funding opportunities, and partnerships with other organizations may require you to have accessibility.
Beyond legal obligations, by being accessible, you demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity. An accessible website sends a message to your customers that your company values all customers and can foster customer loyalty, improve your brand image, and attract a wider audience.
Accessibility as a Business Strategy
An accessible website can open your business up to a larger customer base. In the U.S. alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2024 report, roughly one in four people have some form of disability, and many are regular Internet users. A well-designed, easy-to-navigate website improves the experience for all visitors and contributes to better search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines like Google favor accessible websites because they tend to be better structured, more user-friendly, and easier for bots to crawl.
How to Ensure Your Website is Accessible
Your first step is to conduct a thorough audit to identify accessibility issues. This involves reviewing your site’s content, design, and functionality against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Content must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust to ensure your website is accessible to users with a variety of disabilities, including those who are blind, deaf, or have motor impairments. And as you add new content or features to your site, you must continue testing and updating to ensure compliance.
Compliance features to implement:
- Ensure images have descriptive alternative text
- Adjust test and background colors to meet contrast standards
- Create captions and transcripts for audio or video content
- Ensure the website is fully operable using only a keyboard, without requiring a mouse
- Organize content with clear headings and logical structure
- Simplify forms with clear labels and instructions
- Make error messages specific and easy to understand
- Include responsive design to adapt to different screen sizes
- Create links with meaningful text to describe their destination
- Bypass repetitive navigation with “skip to main content” links
- Create predictable page structure
- Include tools like screen readers, magnifiers, and voice recognition software
Create or Upgrade Your Business Website for Accessibility with J Drake Web Design
At J Drake Web Design, we are committed to building user-friendly, inclusive websites that comply with modern accessibility standards. We want to ensure that all websites are designed to accommodate users with diverse needs, including those with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments.
After we create and launch your website, we are proactive on compliance. We’ll keep your site up to date on evolving accessibility standards and best practices to ensure your site remains inclusive over time while balancing accessibility with functionality and high performance.
If you have questions about whether your website meets accessibility standards, let us conduct an accessibility audit. We can pinpoint where you may need modifications. As for costs, upgrades to an accessible site can vary widely. For sites with minimal accessibility issues, it may only take us a few hours to make the necessary changes. In any case, while you may need to make an initial investment, your long-term benefits such as avoiding legal risk, reaching a broader audience, and enhancing your user experience will often outweigh any costs.
Don’t wait. Contact J Drake Web Design today at 804-218-1063.