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Why and How Enhancing Web Design to be ADA Compliant Should be the New Standard

Ean Ashford

Updated: Jul 25, 2024

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, ensuring that web design is accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has become increasingly paramount. This imperative is not merely a legal obligation but a moral one, reflecting our collective commitment to inclusivity and equity. Enhancing web design to meet ADA standards should be the new norm, promoting an inclusive environment for all users, including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and LGBTQ+ communities, who often face intersecting barriers.


The Ethical Imperative of ADA Compliance

The ADA, enacted in 1990, mandates accessibility in public spaces, including the digital realm. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, ADA compliance in web design involves ensuring that "websites and other digital content are accessible to people with disabilities" . This requirement is not just about avoiding legal repercussions but fostering an inclusive digital space where everyone can participate fully. 


Accessible technology is crucial for creating equitable opportunities. As highlighted by Tulane University, "accessible technology enables individuals with disabilities to have equal access to information and communication technologies'' . This accessibility is particularly vital for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals with disabilities, who may face additional socio-economic and systemic challenges. By prioritizing ADA compliance, we can help bridge the digital divide and support marginalized communities.


Intersectionality and Digital Inclusion

Intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, describes how different aspects of a person's identity (such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and disability) intersect and create overlapping systems of discrimination or disadvantage. For POC and LGBTQ+ individuals, who may already encounter multiple layers of marginalization, an inaccessible digital environment can exacerbate their exclusion. Therefore, ADA compliance in web design should be seen as a critical step towards dismantling these barriers.


Moreover, digital inclusion is essential for civic engagement, education, and economic participation. As SimpliGov notes, "digital forms and ADA compliance can help ensure that government services are accessible to all citizens, including those with disabilities". 

Inaccessible websites can prevent individuals from accessing essential services, participating in democratic processes, and obtaining vital information. 


Practical Steps Towards ADA-Compliant Web Design

To achieve ADA compliance, web designers must adopt best practices that enhance accessibility. This includes using alt text for images, providing captions for videos, ensuring navigability through keyboard inputs, and designing with screen readers in mind. Moreover, adopting a user-centered design approach that involves individuals with disabilities in the testing and development phases can ensure that accessibility features meet actual user needs.

Organizations should also prioritize ongoing education and training for their web development teams. Staying abreast of the latest accessibility guidelines and technologies is essential for maintaining compliance and fostering a culture of inclusivity.

Enhancing web design to be ADA compliant is more than a legal requirement; it is a moral imperative that aligns with our values of equity and inclusion. By prioritizing accessibility, we can create a digital environment that supports all users, particularly those from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities who face intersecting barriers. As we move forward, let us commit to making ADA compliance the standard in web design, ensuring that the digital world is accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities or identities.


Steps Toward ADA-Compliant Web Design

Achieving ADA compliance in web design involves a multifaceted approach that addresses various aspects of accessibility. Here are ten detailed examples that can be utilized to make this change more effective in the tech industry:

  1. Alternative Text for Images: Provide descriptive alt text for all images to ensure that screen readers can convey the information to users who are visually impaired.

  2. Keyboard Navigation: Design websites so that all functionalities are accessible via keyboard navigation. This is crucial for users with motor impairments who cannot use a mouse.

  3. Screen Reader Compatibility: Ensure that websites are fully compatible with screen readers. This involves using proper HTML tags and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to convey the structure and content of the web pages.

  4. Transcripts and Captions: Provide transcripts for audio content and captions for video content. This assists users who are deaf or hard of hearing.

  5. Color Contrast: Use high-contrast color schemes to ensure that text is readable for users with visual impairments, including color blindness.

  6. Resizable Text: Allow users to resize text without breaking the layout of the website. This helps users with low vision read content more easily.

  7. Accessible Forms: Design forms with clear labels, instructions, and error messages. Ensure that form fields are navigable by keyboard and screen reader compatible.

  8. Consistent Navigation: Maintain a consistent layout and navigation structure across the website. This aids users with cognitive impairments in understanding and navigating the site.

  9. Timeout Warnings: Provide warnings before timeouts on pages with time-sensitive content. This ensures that users with disabilities have sufficient time to interact with the content.

  10. Accessibility Statement: Include an accessibility statement on the website, detailing the accessibility features and providing contact information for users to report issues or request assistance.




References

U.S. Department of Justice. (n.d.). Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA. Retrieved from [https://www.ada.gov/resources/web-guidance/](https://www.ada.gov/resources/web-guidance/)





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