Did you know that the World Health Organization estimates that 1.3 billion people experience a significant disability? This roughly represents 16% of the world’s population. So when I tell you that only 3% of the web is accessible to people with disabilities… you see the problem here.

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Inaccessibility to websites means that people with disabilities cannot access the same information as those without them. Important information such as healthcare services, government programs, public transportation schedules and so on.

From a business perspective, excluding this large demographic leads to missing out on potential clients and revenue. Not meeting digital accessibility can also land you in the middle of a lawsuit.

The history of the ADA began long before its signing ceremony at the White House in 1990. It began with the establishment of local groups to end the exclusion of disabled Americans from their own communities.

However, with the signing of the act came huge strides in the fight against this oppression. It prohibits the discrimination against those with disabilities, ensuring them the same opportunities and rights as those without them. The act covers sectors such as employment, healthcare, education, and other public spaces.

The ADA covers physical accommodations in public locations, such as wheelchair accessibility and the use of braille. But in 2010, the U.S. The Department of Justice introduced the Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design. This act mandates all electronic and information technology is accessible to those with disabilities.

Websites now must be ADA compliant to avoid potential lawsuits and legal ramifications. Blind users, deaf users and those who navigate by voice, screen readers or other assistive technologies must have access to your web content. But which organizations must comply with these ADA requirements?

1. State and Local Governments (Title II)
Title II prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all services, programs, and activities of state and local governments. Online communication between state and local governments with those who have disabilities must be made clear through assistive technology.

Examples of online services that must be ADA compliant include applying for an absentee ballot, paying tickets, filing a police report, applying for state benefit programs and more.

2. Businesses Open to the Public (Title III)
Title III prohibits discrimination against the disabled, just like Title II. The difference is that this Title applies to businesses open to the public. This is also referred to as “public accommodations” under the ADA.

Some examples of businesses open to the public are retail stores, banks, hotels, hospitals, food establishments, and so on. All goods, services, privileges, or activities offered by public accommodations must adhere to ADA requirements. And of course, this includes those things which are accessible online.

I’m sure you’re wondering how to make sure your website is ADA compliant. There are several strategies when it comes to making your homepage accessible for everyone. Let’s go over a few of the most common ways organizations address accessibility issues associated with their online content.

1. Create tags for all images, text, videos, and audio files.
2. When encountering input errors, offer users alternatives and suggestions to better navigate your website.
3. Create text transcripts for content such as videos and audio clips.
4. Create an organized layout that has buttons clearly delineated from one another.

People with disabilities navigate life in a variety of different ways, and utilizing the internet is no different. Meeting ADA compliance standards to improve your website’s accessibility is becoming increasingly monitored.

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