An accessible website isn’t just a legal requirement for some businesses—it’s also good practice for reaching a wider audience and providing a better user experience for all visitors.
What Makes a Website Accessible?
An accessible website is designed to be usable by people with various disabilities, including those with visual, hearing, motor, and cognitive impairments. This is achieved through a combination of design principles, coding practices, and content considerations, such as:
- Keyboard Navigation – Ensuring all interactive elements can be accessed without a mouse.
- Alt Text for Images – Providing text descriptions for images so screen readers can convey their meaning.
- Clear and Logical Structure – Using proper headings and semantic HTML to improve readability.
- Color Contrast and Readability – Choosing text and background colors that are easy to distinguish.
- Captions and Transcripts – Including captions for videos and transcripts for audio content.
- Forms and Labels – Designing forms with clear labels and error messages to assist users with disabilities.
Who Is Required to Have an Accessible Website?
While accessibility is recommended for all websites, legal requirements vary depending on the type of organization:
Government and Public Sector Websites
Businesses and Public-Facing Organizations
- Strongly Suggested Compliance:Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination by public accommodations, which has been interpreted by courts to apply to business websites, particularly those offering goods or services online.
- Although there is no specific federal law outlining website accessibility standards for private businesses, failure to comply can result in legal action, as seen in lawsuits against retailers, restaurants, healthcare providers, and financial institutions.
Employers with 15+ Employees
- Workplace Accessibility Compliance: Under Title I of the ADA, businesses with 15 or more employees must provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, which may include making internal digital resources accessible.
- This does not explicitly mandate website accessibility for public-facing content, but ensuring accessibility for job applications, employee portals, and HR systems is advisable.
The Benefits of an Accessible Website
Beyond compliance, accessibility benefits your business in several ways:
- Expands Your Audience – More people can use your site, including those with disabilities.
- Improves SEO – Many accessibility practices, like structured content and alt text, also boost search rankings.
- Enhances User Experience – A well-structured, easy-to-navigate site benefits all users, not just those with disabilities.
- Reduces Legal Risks – Proactively addressing accessibility can help prevent potential lawsuits and compliance issues.
How Ingenious Can Help
At Ingenious, Inc., we have extensive experience developing websites that meet accessibility standards. Our team ensures your website follows WCAG guidelines, making it easy to use for all visitors. Whether you need a new website built with accessibility in mind or want to update an existing site, we can help you navigate the process.
Ready to Make Your Website More Accessible?
Let’s talk! Contact us today to learn how we can help you create a website that works for everyone.