You are currently viewing Web Accessibility Checklist: Is Your Site ADA Compliant?

Web Accessibility Checklist: Is Your Site ADA Compliant?

In an increasingly digital world, ensuring that your website is ADA compliant is crucial—not only to avoid legal challenges but also to foster inclusivity and make sure everyone can access your content. Whether you’re a small business, township, municipality, or non-profit organization, understanding the essentials of web accessibility can set you apart and ensure that your site serves everyone effectively. This ADA compliance checklist will help guide you toward making your website accessible for all users and compliant with legal standards.

1. Use Descriptive Alt Text for Images

Alt text helps visually impaired users understand images on your website. When writing alt text:

  • Describe the image content clearly and concisely.
  • Avoid keyword stuffing but use descriptive, relevant terms where appropriate.
  • Include context if the image conveys a specific message, such as directions or important instructions.

For instance, a small business or township website might include images that showcase local events, services, or maps. Alt text that describes these images accurately not only enhances accessibility but also boosts your website’s SEO for local search queries like “ADA-compliant websites for small businesses” or “accessible web design for townships.”

2. Ensure Keyboard Accessibility

Some users rely on keyboard navigation instead of a mouse. This means your site must be fully navigable using only a keyboard, which includes ensuring that:

  • All interactive elements (links, buttons, menus) are accessible using the Tab key.
  • Focus indicators are visible as users tab through different parts of the page.
  • Drop-downs and modal windows can be opened and closed without a mouse.

Making sure your site is keyboard-friendly can improve usability and help you reach users searching for “ADA compliance tips for small businesses” or “web accessibility for municipalities.”

3. Optimize Text for Screen Readers

Screen readers are assistive devices that convert text to audio, allowing visually impaired users to navigate websites. To optimize for screen readers:

  • Use semantic HTML elements (such as <header>, <nav>, <main>, and <footer>) for better screen reader interpretation.
  • Avoid complex tables or unnecessarily nested elements.
  • Provide descriptive links (e.g., “Read our services page” instead of “Click here”) for clearer navigation.

Screen reader optimization is especially useful for non-profits and local governments with information-heavy websites. By prioritizing this step, your site becomes more visible to search terms like “ADA compliance for non-profit websites” or “accessibility features for municipal sites.”

4. Provide Video Captions and Transcripts

Adding captions to videos and transcripts to audio content is essential for users who are hearing impaired. This is a legal requirement under the ADA, and it’s also a valuable addition for non-profits and local government organizations who frequently post informational content in video or audio formats.

Ensure that:

  • Captions are synchronized with spoken audio.
  • Transcripts are accessible and easy to find.
  • Video content doesn’t auto-play with sound, as this can be disruptive.

By captioning videos, you can also enhance SEO by capturing relevant keywords in transcripts, making it easier for search engines to index and understand your content. This will help you rank for terms like “ADA-compliant videos for websites” or “accessibility in video content for non-profits.”

5. Make Text Readable with High Contrast

Color contrast is an essential accessibility component. Users with visual impairments or color blindness may struggle to read text if there’s insufficient contrast between text and background colors. For accessibility:

  • Ensure a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 between text and background.
  • Avoid using color alone to convey information; add text or icons to support visual cues.
  • Test color contrast across your site, especially on forms, buttons, and call-to-action sections.

For local businesses and non-profits who want to know, “Is my website color contrast ADA-compliant?” or “How to check color contrast for ADA compliance,” using high-contrast color schemes will make your content readable for a broader audience.

6. Use Accessible Fonts and Text Resizing Options

Accessible fonts and text resizing capabilities can make a big difference for users with visual impairments. Ensure your text is:

  • Written in a clear, readable font (like Arial, Helvetica, or sans-serif).
  • Scalable, allowing users to adjust font sizes without disrupting page layout.
  • Avoids very small font sizes that are hard to read.

For small businesses and municipalities, optimizing font accessibility can help you rank higher for search terms like “font accessibility for websites” or “ADA-compliant font choices.”

7. Offer Clear, Consistent Navigation

Consistent navigation helps users understand the structure of your website and find what they need. ADA-compliant websites should:

  • Use clear, straightforward menu labels.
  • Include a search function, especially on large sites with a lot of content.
  • Use breadcrumb navigation on multi-page sites to improve orientation.

Clear navigation improves the user experience and helps capture traffic from search terms like “user-friendly website design for townships” or “accessible navigation tips for small business sites.”

8. Design Forms That Are Easy to Complete

Forms should be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Follow these tips to create ADA-compliant forms:

  • Label each field clearly and avoid placeholder text as a substitute for labels.
  • Provide clear error messages that guide users on correcting inputs.
  • Ensure that each field is accessible by keyboard alone.

Accessible form design is essential for non-profits collecting donations, municipalities offering services, or small businesses gathering customer information. By designing forms with accessibility in mind, you can attract visitors searching for “ADA-compliant forms” or “accessible form design for business websites.”

9. Run an ADA Compliance Audit

Regular audits ensure your website remains ADA compliant and accessible for all users. Online tools like WAVE or aXecan help detect accessibility issues on your website, giving you actionable insights for improvement.

Conducting audits helps your website stay optimized for search terms like “ADA compliance audit for small businesses” or “ADA accessibility checker for websites.”

10. Ensure Mobile Accessibility

With more users accessing websites on mobile devices, making your website mobile-accessible is crucial. Features to focus on include:

  • Responsive design that adjusts layout for various screen sizes
  • Large, tappable buttons that are easy to click on mobile
  • Avoiding pop-ups or elements that interfere with the mobile user experience

By focusing on mobile accessibility, your site will not only be ADA compliant but also rank better for mobile search terms like “ADA-compliant websites on mobile” or “accessible mobile design for non-profits.”

Conclusion

Building an ADA-compliant website is not only about meeting legal standards but about creating a digital space that welcomes everyone. By following this checklist, your small business, township, municipality, or non-profit can make strides toward a more inclusive web experience. With accessibility improvements, your website will be optimized to reach users searching for “accessible websites for local businesses,” “ADA-compliant sites for municipalities,” and more, boosting your site’s visibility and reach.