Common ADA Compliance Issues, Mistakes & How to Avoid Them | Oyova

As more and more businesses shift to a digital-first approach, website owners must prioritize accessibility. Ensuring your site is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, promotes inclusivity and protects your business from potential lawsuits. However, despite good intentions, many website owners still fall short in their Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance efforts.

This blog post will examine some of the most common ADA compliance issues or mistakes website owners make and provide actionable tips on avoiding them. By understanding and addressing these pitfalls effectively, you can minimize legal risks, improve user experience for all visitors, and create an inclusive online presence for your brand.

Understanding ADA Compliance Issues

ADA compliance ensures that digital content, such as websites, apps, and documents, meets ADA standards. Passed in 1990, the ADA outlaws discrimination against individuals with disabilities in public life, including jobs, schools, and public spaces.

Initially focused on physical accommodations, the ADA now includes digital accessibility, requiring websites to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), serve as an international standard for web accessibility. These procedures help make web content accessible to people with visual, auditory, physical, cognitive, and other disabilities, aligning with ADA standards to ensure equal access for all.

Common Accessibility Issues That Lead to Non-Compliance

Despite clear ADA and WCAG guidelines, many websites still struggle with compliance. Here are some common accessibility issues.

Missing or Incorrect Alt Text for Images

Alt text, or alternative text, describes web page images for screen readers and other assistive technologies. This allows visually impaired website users to understand the content of an image through audio descriptions. However, many website owners either forget to add alt text or use it improperly, resulting in inaccessible content for those who rely on screen readers.

To avoid this mistake, always include descriptive alt text for every image on your website. Avoid using vague phrases like “image” or “picture” and instead provide a brief description of what the image represents or conveys. Be as specific as possible while keeping it concise.

Poor Color Contrast in Website Design

Color contrast is crucial for making web content accessible to users with visual impairments. For example, individuals with color blindness or low vision may struggle to read text if there isn’t enough contrast between the text and background colors.

To avoid this issue, website owners can use online tools, such as Contrast Checker or WebAIM’s Color Contrast Checker, to test the color contrast of their websites. These tools analyze the color contrast based on WCAG guidelines and suggest improving accessibility.

Moreover, a WCAG-compliant color scheme can ensure that your website design is inclusive. The WCAG 2.1 guidelines recommend a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for standard text and 3:1 for large text.

Inaccessible Navigation and Menus

Website navigation and menus are essential for all users to navigate a site easily, but they can be incredibly demanding for individuals with disabilities. Common issues include unclear headings, lack of keyboard accessibility, and inconsistent placement of navigation elements.

To improve the accessibility of your website’s navigation, consider implementing these best practices:

• Use semantic HTML: Using the appropriate HTML tags for headings and links can help screen readers understand and navigate your website more easily.
• Avoid relying on hover effects: Many users with disabilities may not have access to a mouse or may struggle with fine motor skills, making it challenging to use hover-based menus. Instead, provide alternative options such as click-to-expand menus.
• Make it keyboard accessible: Ensure all navigation elements can be accessed using only a keyboard. This is especially important for individuals with physical disabilities who are unable use a mouse or touch screen.

By following these guidelines, you can improve the usability of your website’s navigation and make it more inclusive for all users.

Non-Compliant Multimedia Content

To be ADA-compliant, Multimedia content, such as videos and audio files, must be adequately captioned or transcribed. Without these features, individuals with hearing impairments may be unable to access this content.

Furthermore, transcripts can also benefit visually impaired users who may use screen readers to navigate web content. Adding transcripts allows them to read the content instead of listening to it.

Website owners should always provide captions or transcripts for multimedia content to ensure compliance and inclusivity. Many tools are available for automatically generating captions or transcriptions, making multimedia accessibility easier.

Lack of Labels and Instructions for Forms

Many websites require forms to allow users to submit information or complete transactions. However, forms that are not designed for accessibility can be challenging for individuals with disabilities.

Some common form issues include missing form labels, unclear instructions, and inaccessible error messages. To improve the accessibility and usability of your website’s forms, consider implementing the following tips:

• Use descriptive form labels: Instead of relying solely on placeholder text, use clear and concise labels for each form field.
• Provide instructions: Clearly explain what information is required and how it should be entered in the form. This can prevent confusion and frustration for all users.
• Use error messages that are accessible: Ensure that error messages are identified and provide instructions on how to fix the error. Avoid using color as the only indicator of an error.

By observing these tips, you can create forms that are not only accessible but also user-friendly for all visitors to your website. This can help improve overall fulfillment and increase conversions for individuals with disabilities.

Ignoring Keyboard-Only Navigation Needs

Many websites rely heavily on mouse interactions, making it difficult for individuals with disabilities who may use keyboards or other assistive devices to navigate. This can be particularly demanding for users with motor impairments who have problems using a mouse.

To improve keyboard accessibility, website owners should consider implementing the following solutions:

• Include focus indicators: These visual cues indicate which element is in focus and can help users navigate through interactive elements using only a keyboard.
• Implement logical tab orders: Make sure that the tab order follows a logical sequence, allowing users to quickly move through different elements of your website using only their keyboard.
• Alternative options: Consider offering users alternative ways to interact with your website’s content, such as voice commands or a virtual keyboard.

By making these changes, you can ensure that your site is accessible to all users, regardless of their physical abilities or use of assistive devices.

Inaccessible Documents and Multimedia

Many websites include downloadable documents and multimedia content like PDFs, Word files, and videos. However, these can be inaccessible to people with disabilities if not properly formatted or tagged.

Common issues include missing tags, poor formatting, and lack of captions or transcripts. To improve accessibility, try these tips:

• Use accessible tools: Create documents and multimedia using tools that support proper tagging and formatting, like Adobe Acrobat Pro for PDFs.
• Add metadata: Descriptive metadata helps screen readers navigate and interpret content.
• Include captions or transcripts: Captions and transcripts are essential for making videos and audio accessible to people with hearing or visual impairments.

These steps help ensure all users, including those with disabilities, can access your website’s documents and media.

The Consequences of ADA Compliance Issues

Ensuring ADA compliance on your website is the right thing to do and essential for avoiding legal, financial, and reputational risks.

Legally, non-compliance can lead to lawsuits and fines. As lawsuits against inaccessible websites increase, prioritizing accessibility is more important than ever.

Failing to comply also has financial consequences. An inaccessible website limits your customer base and means losing valuable business opportunities.

Finally, it can hurt your reputation. In today’s digital age, your website is often a customer’s first impression. If it’s inaccessible, it can create a negative perception of your business.

How to Avoid Common ADA Issues

To avoid the potential consequences of ADA compliance issues, it is crucial to address and remedy any accessibility gaps on your website. Here are some steps you can take to ensure your website is accessible to all individuals.

Conducting Regular Accessibility Audits

Periodic accessibility audits are key to maintaining your website’s ADA compliance. These reviews check the site’s design, functionality, and content for accessibility gaps.

Automated tools like web accessibility checkers can quickly scan your site for common issues and highlight areas for improvement. However, professional evaluations by experienced accessibility consultants are also vital. These consultants offer in-depth analysis and user testing with individuals with disabilities.

Regular audits ensure ADA compliance and demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity. By promptly catching and fixing issues, you can improve the user experience and avoid potential risks.

Staying Updated with WCAG Standards

Maintaining ADA compliance on your website also means staying updated with the latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), provide standards for making web content more accessible to individuals with disabilities.

As technology advances and new devices emerge, WCAG guidelines are regularly updated to ensure that websites continue to meet the needs of all users. Businesses must stay informed and adhere to these evolving standards, such as WCAG 2.1 and 2.2, to maintain accessibility compliance.

Adhering to these guidelines helps ensure that your website is accessible. It also demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and staying current with best practices.

Leveraging Accessibility Remediation Services

Addressing ADA compliance issues can be complex and time-consuming, so many businesses turn to expert accessibility remediation services for assistance.

These professionals are well-versed in the latest WCAG guidelines and have experience in identifying and addressing various accessibility gaps on websites. They can provide an efficient and effective solution for businesses looking to improve their website’s accessibility.

Using professional accessibility remediation services helps ensure that your website complies with ADA guidelines and saves time and resources for businesses, allowing them to focus on other aspects of their operations.

Employee Training and Awareness

Ensuring your website is ADA-compliant is crucial, but it’s equally important to educate employees on accessibility best practices. This fosters a culture of inclusivity and provides all aspects of your business, not just the website, are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Employees, especially those managing website content, should understand their role in maintaining ADA compliance. Training sessions can highlight the importance of accessibility and how employees can help create an inclusive environment for all customers.

Investing in employee training can help businesses maintain ADA compliance and promote inclusivity across operations. Accessibility is not just a legal requirement—it benefits your business and all users. Regular audits, staying updated on WCAG standards, using professional remediation services, and employee education can ensure your website remains accessible to everyone.

Get Professional Help with ADA Compliance: How Oyova Can Assist You

Achieving and maintaining ADA compliance can be daunting for businesses, but with Oyova’s expertise in web accessibility, we can make the process easier for you. Our team of professionals can assist with identifying and remediating any accessibility gaps on your website, ensuring ongoing compliance with ADA standards.

Working with Oyova, you will receive tailored strategies specific to your business needs to improve your website’s accessibility. We also provide ongoing support to ensure that your website remains compliant as WCAG guidelines continue to evolve.

Don’t risk potential legal consequences or exclude potential customers by neglecting ADA compliance. Contact Oyova today and let us help you create an inclusive online experience for all users. Together, we can make the web a more accessible place for everyone.