Some people imagine that people with disabilities are a small minority. The truth is that more than a quarter of all the adults in the United States have one type of disability or another. If you don’t have an ADA compliant website, it is possible you are alienating a huge segment of your possible audience.

At the same time, some people think that it is too complicated to figure out how to make their website comply with ADA guidelines. However, it is often easier to make an ADA compliant website than you think.

On top of that, making your website compliant with ADA guidelines will make it easier for everyone to use, regardless of whether or not they have a disability. So what steps should you take to make your website compliant with ADA guidelines? Read on to learn all about the most important things to do to make an ADA compliant website!

Is My Website ADA Compliant?

Some people wonder if their website is already compliant with ADA guidelines. However, if you have to ask that question, the odds are that your website is not compliant.

That is because compliance is something that you have to achieve on purpose. It is not something that happens by accident.

ADA compliance is all about designing websites so that everybody can use them, even if they do not have all of the same abilities. Because there is a wide range of disabilities, there are many details you have to work out to make your website usable for everybody.

However, just because there are many details does not mean that they are difficult to implement. Follow these steps to bring your website into compliance with ADA guidelines!

Use ADA Compliant Graphic Web Design

Some people make the mistake of using graphics that flash too many times per second. This can cause some people to experience seizures. That is why it is important to use slower graphics that flash less than 3 times per second.

While you are at it, you should also make sure that your graphics are easy to understand for people who are visually impaired. For example, you can include a verbal description of what is going on in your graphics.

That way, people who cannot perceive what is happening in the image can still get an idea of it by reading or listening to a provided verbal description.

ADA Compliant Websites Use Multiple Fonts

Many people do not appreciate the power of fonts. The truth is that the right font can help people read with less difficulty. One of the easiest fonts to read is Georgia.

However, if you want to make sure that people can read your writing, you also need to pay attention to color contrast. The more stark the contrast between your text and your background, the easier it will be for everyone to read.

That applies whether people have a visual disability or not. You may also consider using special fonts that make things easier for people with dyslexia to read.

People with dyslexia sometimes have trouble reading because many letters look similar in many fonts. However, you can use fonts that are carefully designed to make each letter distinct, helping everyone to read with as little stress as possible.

Use Clear Website Designs

There is a lot to be said for simplicity. Many people design websites and try to be creative with the navigation system. However, that often makes their website harder to navigate rather than more enjoyable.

One way to make your website function in a logical way is to put clear “x” symbols in one of the top corners of all pop-ups. That way, people will be able to easily close them if they wish.

If you have any forms that people can fill out on your website, make sure to provide clear descriptions in text.

On top of that, you should think through every aspect of your website navigation and make it as simple and clear as possible.

Be Careful With Custom Websites

Some people use special software tools to read text aloud. That way, they can understand what is happening on your website without having to see it with their eyes. However, these tools will not work if you are using the wrong kind of HTML tags.

If you stick with standard HTML tags, it will make it easier for everyone to understand them if they want to understand the code on your site. Many standard website platforms already include this in their design. However, if you are using a custom website design, you need to make a special effort to follow suit.

Make Sure Your Website Can Pause

There are many different reasons why people may need to be able to slow down the functions of your website. Make sure that any videos or other aspects of your website can be paused if someone needs to take their time to interact with them. You also need to make sure that people can activate the pause function with their keyboard.

Help People Navigate Your Website With a Keyboard

Everything on your website should be operable using just a keyboard. That helps people navigate it even if they do not use a touch screen or mouse when they visit your website.

Follow Updates for ADA Compliance

You will find that ADA compliance guidelines change over time. Make sure that you keep up to date on ADA compliance changes and adjust your website when necessary.

Understand How to Build an ADA Compliant Website

Many people want to know how to build an ADA compliant website, but they are not sure where to start. Finding the right people to help you make your website comply with ADA guidelines can help you reach the tens of millions of people in the United States who live with a disability.

To learn more about ADA compliant website design or to speak with ADA compliance experts who can help you, get in touch with us here at any time!