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Imagine walking into a store that wasn’t designed for you. The doors don’t open, the aisles are too narrow, and the signs are impossible to read. You’d probably walk right out, and rightfully so. Now, imagine that store is your website. That’s what it feels like for millions of people when they try to use a website that isn’t designed with accessibility in mind.
Designing an accessible website isn’t just a matter of ticking a box for legal compliance. It’s about inviting everyone in, giving them the same positive experience, and making sure you’re not unintentionally closing the door on potential customers.
In this post, we’ll walk through why accessibility is important, how designing an accessible website benefits all users, the stakes for companies who neglect this critical aspect of web design, and the tools you can use to ensure your site is ADA compliant.
Why Accessible Website Design is Important
If you’re running a business, the last thing you want is to turn away a customer. But when your website isn’t accessible, that’s exactly what’s happening. A website that’s not ADA-compliant makes it difficult—sometimes impossible—for people with disabilities to use your site. Considering that nearly 61 million adults in the U.S. live with some form of disability, that's a lot of potential customers who can’t access your content, shop your products, or book your services.
More than just a moral or ethical consideration, accessibility is also a legal one. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses to provide equal access to their services, which includes online platforms. Companies that fail to make their websites accessible risk lawsuits, bad press, and fines that can range from thousands to millions of dollars. Just ask companies like Winn-Dixie, Target, Netflix and Harvard, all of which have faced lawsuits for inaccessible websites.
But beyond legal and financial consequences, accessibility is simply the right thing to do. A website should be welcoming to everyone, regardless of ability. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about inclusion.
How Accessible Website Design Helps Everyone
Here’s the secret: designing for accessibility doesn’t just benefit users with disabilities. It makes the web experience better for everyone.
Think about it. When you create a website that’s easy to navigate, offers clear instructions, and uses a readable color scheme, who benefits? Everyone—from someone who is blind and using a screen reader, to a busy mom scrolling your site one-handed while juggling a toddler, to the guy squinting at his phone screen under the harsh light of a sunny day.
Accessibility is all about universal design. It’s like those curb cuts in sidewalks meant for people in wheelchairs. Who else uses them? People with strollers, delivery people with carts, kids on skateboards. Similarly, when you design an accessible website, you’re improving usability across the board.
Here are a few specific examples of how accessibility benefits all users:
- Text size and readability: Making text scalable and providing sufficient contrast helps those with visual impairments, but it also makes your content easier to read on mobile devices.
- SEO boost: Accessible websites use proper structure, alt text for images, and descriptive headers, which search engines love. A well-designed accessible site will likely rank better in search results, helping you reach more people.
- Keyboard navigation: Users with mobility impairments rely on keyboard navigation, but even users without disabilities may find it more efficient to use the keyboard.
In short, an accessible website is a well-designed website. It’s good for your users, and it’s good for your business.
What’s at Stake for Companies Who Don’t Prioritize Website Accessibility
If you’ve made it this far, you might be thinking, “Okay, I get it. But how serious are the consequences for not having an accessible website?”
Let’s put it this way: ignoring website accessibility is like playing with fire, except the flames come in the form of lawsuits and bad PR.
More and more companies are facing legal action for failing to comply with ADA guidelines, and it’s not just big-name brands. Small businesses are being targeted, too.
In fact, ADA-related website lawsuits have been on the rise for years, and there’s no sign of this slowing down. And these lawsuits don’t come cheap. The cost to defend a lawsuit, pay fines, and make necessary updates to your website can be astronomical.
But the risks don’t stop at legal consequences. Failing to make your website accessible means you’re alienating a significant portion of your potential customer base. Roughly 15% of the world’s population lives with some form of disability, and that’s a market you can’t afford to overlook.
Beyond the numbers, neglecting accessibility sends a message about your brand. Today’s consumers care about inclusivity, and they expect the companies they support to care, too. A website that’s difficult to use or, worse, completely unusable to some visitors, reflects poorly on your brand. It can make you seem out-of-touch or indifferent. And in an age where brand reputation is everything, that’s not a risk worth taking.
Tools and Resources for Assessing ADA Compliance
So, how do you know if your website is accessible? And if it’s not, how do you fix it? The good news is, there are plenty of tools and resources available to help you assess and improve your site’s accessibility.
- Automated Testing Tools
There are several free tools that can give you a quick snapshot of your website’s accessibility status. While they’re not a comprehensive solution, they can identify some of the more obvious issues:
WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool): This tool provides an overview of your site’s accessibility by highlighting missing alt text, color contrast issues, and more.
Google Lighthouse: Available in Chrome’s DevTools, this tool audits your website for performance, SEO, and accessibility.
Axe Accessibility Tool: A browser extension that helps developers identify and fix common accessibility issues directly within the browser. - Professional Audits
Automated tools are helpful, but they’re not perfect. They can’t catch everything, and they won’t always give you the nuanced insight needed to fully address accessibility issues. That’s where we come in.
Our team can offer an in-depth accessibility audit that goes beyond the basics. We’ll evaluate your website from top to bottom, identifying where it meets ADA guidelines and where it falls short. We’ll also provide a roadmap for making your site fully compliant, while ensuring it remains user-friendly and aligned with your brand’s aesthetic. - Tailored Design Solutions
Fixing accessibility issues isn’t about slapping a Band-Aid on the problem. It’s about creating a seamless, user-friendly experience for everyone. Our team of designers and developers specializes in creating beautiful, accessible websites that enhance usability while staying true to your brand. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, we provide customized plans that meet the unique needs of your business and audience.
Accessibility is Non-Negotiable for Websites in 2024 and Beyond
Accessibility isn’t just a nice-to-have feature—it’s a must. It’s about making sure everyone, regardless of ability, can use and enjoy your website. It’s about protecting your business from costly legal action. And it’s about building a brand that values inclusivity and user experience.
Ready to make sure your website is accessible to all users? Contact us today to discuss your ADA compliance audit and learn how we can help you create an accessible, user-friendly website that works for everyone.
