ADA Compliance for Small Business Websites
Having a strong online presence is crucial for any business, regardless of its size. As more and more transactions and interactions move online, ensuring that your website is accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities, is not just a moral obligation but a legal requirement. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that businesses provide equal access to their goods and services, including their websites, for people with disabilities. In this article, we will explore what ADA compliance for small business websites entails, why it matters, and how you can achieve it.
Understanding ADA Compliance
ADA compliance refers to the adherence of your website to the standards set forth by the ADA for accessibility. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. Title III of the ADA specifically applies to businesses and nonprofit service providers that are public accommodations.
In recent years, courts have increasingly ruled that websites are covered under Title III of the ADA. This means that your website must be accessible to individuals with disabilities, such as those who are blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, or have mobility impairments that affect their ability to navigate and use the web.
Why ADA Compliance Matters
Ensuring your website is ADA compliant is not just about legal compliance; it’s also about inclusivity and expanding your customer base. By making your website accessible, you are opening your doors to millions of potential customers who may have previously been unable to fully interact with your business online. Moreover, accessible design often improves usability for all users, leading to better user experience and higher conversion rates.
Non-compliance with ADA guidelines can lead to legal consequences, including lawsuits and hefty fines. Many businesses have faced litigation for failing to make their websites accessible, underscoring the importance of proactive compliance measures.
Key Components of ADA Compliance
Achieving ADA compliance for your small business website involves several key components:
1. Text Alternatives for Non-Text Content
Provide text alternatives for images, videos, and audio content to ensure that screen readers can interpret and convey the information to users who are blind or visually impaired.
2. Keyboard Accessibility
Ensure that all functionality of your website can be operated via keyboard alone, as some users with mobility impairments rely on keyboard navigation instead of a mouse.
3. Color Contrast and Fonts
Use sufficient color contrast between text and background to ensure readability for users with low vision. Similarly, choose fonts that are easy to read and resizable without loss of content or functionality.
4. Descriptive Links and Headings
Use descriptive link text that makes sense out of context and organize content using clear headings and subheadings to facilitate navigation with screen readers.
5. Video and Audio Accessibility
Provide captions for videos and transcripts for audio content to ensure that users who are deaf or hard of hearing can access the information.
6. Forms and Interactive Elements
Ensure that forms and interactive elements are accessible to users using screen readers and that error messages are clearly identified and described.
Implementing ADA Compliance
Implementing ADA compliance for your website may seem daunting, but there are several steps you can take to simplify the process:
1. Conduct an Accessibility Audit
Use online tools or hire a professional to conduct an accessibility audit of your website. This will identify areas where your site may not meet ADA standards and provide recommendations for improvement.
2. Choose an Accessible Website Platform
When selecting or updating your website platform, choose one that prioritizes accessibility standards and offers built-in features that facilitate compliance.
3. Educate Your Team
Ensure that everyone involved in creating and maintaining your website understands the importance of accessibility and knows how to implement best practices.
4. Regularly Monitor and Update
Accessibility standards evolve, and technology changes. Regularly monitor your website’s accessibility and make updates as needed to ensure ongoing compliance.
ADA Compliance goes beyond your website. If you utilize social media, your posts must also comply to the ADA standards. For example, videos posted on your website and/or social media need to have captions. PDFs that are embedded (or even linked from your website) need to be ADA compliant.
There are great tools available to help you determine if your website is currently compliant, including some free scan tools. In addition, there are software platforms available that can help your site become compliant and provide the necessary tools for a site visitor with a disability to manipulate the website so that they can easily interact with it. For example, a user can click on a button in the software tool to increase the sizing of the text, which is important for a visitor with sight impairments. While these tools will not make your site 100% compliant (see earlier mention of PDFs and Videos), they are a great way to improve the accessibility of your site, and possibly reduce the risk of potential legal action against your company.
There are currently Federal Tax Credits available to eligible businesses to reimburse expenses associated with updating your website to be ADA compliance. The tax credit, listed under Section 44 of the IRS Code, covers 50% of the eligible access expenditures made during the previous tax year, with a maximum expenditure limit of $10,250. There is no credit for the first $250 of the expenditures, and so, it is subtracted accordingly. Therefore, the highest amount of credit a business can receive is $5,000.
ADA compliance for small business websites is not just a legal requirement but a crucial step towards inclusivity and better user experience. By making your website accessible, you not only mitigate legal risks but also expand your customer base and improve engagement with all users. Taking proactive steps to ensure accessibility benefits everyone and demonstrates your commitment to equality and customer satisfaction. Embrace ADA compliance as an opportunity to enhance your online presence and make a positive impact on your business’s reputation and bottom line. Contact us today to get a FREE ADA Compliance Audit!
