In the United States, you are legally required to be accessible to your potential customers. For example, if you’re selling products online, the San Francisco web design agency that helps create your website needs to make sure it complies with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Here are five actionable steps you can take to build an ADA-compliant business website.
Include ALT Text to All Images
If you want your website to be ADA compliant, one of the most important things you can do is to add ALT text to all images. This will help ensure that people with visual impairments can still access your content. It’s also worth noting that Google uses ALT text for image search results and search engine optimization (SEO). In addition, YouTube recommends using ALT text on videos. So not only does adding ALT text make your website ADA compliant, it helps improve SEO and makes the video more accessible too!
Enable Keyboard Navigation
If you want your website to be ADA compliant, one of the first things you need to do is enable keyboard navigation. This will allow people with disabilities who use assistive technologies like screen readers to navigate your site. Here are a few steps to take to make sure your site is keyboard navigable:
- Use the tab key to move between links and form fields.
- Make sure all links can be accessed with the keyboard.
- Include a link to skip past navigation menus if they exist.
- Provide clear instructions for how to interact with your content using keyboard shortcuts and browser shortcuts.
Give Alternatives to Video and Audio Content
As a digital marketing agency in San Francisco, we often get asked how to make websites ADA compliant. One of the key ways is to provide alternatives to audio and video content. This can be done by providing transcripts or captions for videos and descriptions of images for those who are blind or have low vision. By doing this, you are ensuring that everyone can access and enjoy your website content. So, what does it take to build an ADA-compliant business website?
- Ensure that your content is fully accessible with screen readers.
- Use headings and labels when possible.
- Include alternative formats for people with disabilities to consume your information, such as text messages.
Focus on Content Structure
The first step to building an ADA-compliant website is to focus on content structure. This means your website should be easy to navigate and understand for people with disabilities. Structured content makes it easier for screen-reading technology to process information and easier for all website visitors to read. Strictly, content should be clearly structured using headings, sub-headings, paragraphs, lists, and accordions to be in a format that can be easily read by screen readers. A San Francisco web design agency can help you build a website that meets these requirements.
Create Accessible Forms
If you want your website to be ADA compliant, you need to make sure your forms are accessible. For this, you have to make sure all input fields have labels. These labels should identify the type of information requested and should not include any personal information (such as a person’s name). The labels should also contrast against the background, making them easily readable. Make sure there is a way for people to skip past any content that doesn’t apply to them. This includes making fields optional or having an autofill function available on their behalf. When submitting form data, provide clear instructions about what is required and what isn’t. Keep in mind that not everyone will use a mouse, so make sure the form elements are keyboard accessible too. Want to create the perfect web design in San Francisco? Get in touch with us now.
