A Step-by-Step Guide To Assessing WCAG Accessibility
This article will explore what an ADA audit is in the context of web accessibility and in light of WCAG standards, how to conduct one, and why it's important for both legal compliance and optimal user experience. With a thorough ADA audit followed by implementing recommended changes to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies can begin bringing their websites into full ADA compliance.
AdvertisementUnderstanding The ADA & Website Accessibility
In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. It mandates fair and equal access for people with disabilities, firstly in physical environments and secondly in various forms of communication. The internet itself appeared shortly after the ADA itself was put into place. The ADA’s aims and regulations were then interpreted to include a third area of ADA jurisdiction: websites.
What Does ADA Equal Access Look Like In Web And Digital Technology?
Web accessibility means designing, coding, and maintaining all web functionality and interfaces so that users with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disability can navigate, understand, and interact with websites and web content in a way that’s equivalent to other users. For example, a user who can’t hear should be able to access information by reading text visually, and a user who can’t see visible web content should be able to get that information audibly.
The ADA and its subsequent judicial interpretations, additions, and rules, as well as other accessibility laws around the world, now specifically indicate that businesses and organizations with an online presence must create, improve, and update websites, web applications and digital documents to be compliant with accessibility standards.
Why Use The WCAG As An ADA Audit Benchmark?
Accessibility standards around the world vary, but they are overall based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the technical specifications outlined by the independently-formed W3C web standards group.
The WCAG provides guidelines and technical details that are much more in-depth than the general principles set out in the ADA. And, the WCAG is considered the global gold standard for web and digital accessibility today. It is accepted as a legally binding measure of accessibility in many courts, including the United States Supreme Court.
An ADA audit evaluates a website's level of adherence to established accessibility standards, drawing from the current legally required release of the WCAG standards. At the moment, that release is WCAG 2.1 at Level AA. WCAG 2.2 was released this past October but is not yet required for ADA compliance, and WCAG 3 is still in development. Government agencies have strict standards they must meet under the ADA’s Title II, while most businesses and organizations that serve the public fall under ADA Title III, which requires them to provide accessible goods, services and facilities so that people with disabilities can enjoy them fully and without ability-based barriers.
The Advantages Of ADA Compliance For Websites
Websites operating in the United States are subject to the ADA, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. Non-compliance with the ADA's website accessibility requirements can lead to significant legal challenges, including lawsuits and financial penalties. These actions can arise when users with disabilities encounter barriers that prevent full and equal enjoyment of a website, which can be seen as a form of discrimination under the ADA. The risk of litigation incurs a potential financial burden in penalties and in the costs of a mandated adjustment of the website in question, as well as reputational damage. An ADA website audit is an essential preventive measure.
Accessibility = Improved User Experience
Upgrading the accessibility of a website improves the user experience for everyone. Accessible design features, like clear, concise language, correctly set keyboard navigation, and descriptive captions for audio content, improve websites for everyone. A cleaner, more logical navigation structure makes information easier to find for all users,as well as those with disabilities. It also tends to increase the overall usability of the site, which can lead to higher customer satisfaction, reduced bounce rates, increased sales conversions, and a stronger brand image.
Adding accessibility has positive ripple effects. For example, captions for videos can improve understanding for users who are Deaf or have hearing loss; they also benefit users watching videos in a loud environment. It’s a win-win.
SEO Advantages
ADA principles and SEO principles have different origins, but their purposes meet. There is a positive correlation between website accessibility and accelerated performance in SEO (search engine optimization). Search engines like Google use website content, structure and metadata to determine search ranking. Many accessibility features, like clear headings, descriptive text for images, links, and page titles, and properly used semantic HTML code, also improve how search engines crawl and index website content. This can lead to higher website visibility in search results. And with fully supported keyboard navigation and accessible interactive elements, websites improve user engagement metrics, which are crucial for higher search rankings. What is an enormous accessibility audit advantage in search engine optimization? An ADA compliance website audit often reveals a website’s areas where improvement is needed, and when the audit report’s suggested changes are put into place, improved accessibility leads the way and boosted SEO follows close behind.
Tools & Resources For ADA Website Audits
Performing a comprehensive ADA website audit involves a combination of automated testing tools, manual testing techniques, and professional expertise.
Automated Testing Tools
Automated testing tools can efficiently scan a website's code and content, identifying many common accessibility barriers. These tools typically operate against a set of accessibility criteria, flagging potential issues based on WCAG guidelines.
- WAVE
A free, web-based tool by WebAIM that assesses accessibility of web pages based on WCAG criteria. WAVE provides a color-coded visual representation of accessibility issues, making it easy to identify problems on a webpage. - Axe
Another popular automated testing tool with free and paid plans. Axe offers a wider range of accessibility checks compared to WAVE, and integrates with many popular development tools and browsers. - Lighthouse
Lighthouse is an open-source, automated tool built by Google that audits the quality of web pages, including accessibility. It provides an accessibility score and a report with actionable guidance based on WCAG criteria. hile not as comprehensive as some dedicated accessibility testing tools, Lighthouse provides a quick and easy way to identify basic accessibility issues.
While automated tools are excellent for initial assessments, they require human interpretation and further manual testing and review to ensure a website fully meets ADA and WCAG standards.
Manual Testing Techniques
Manual testing involves using various techniques to assess a website's usability for users with disabilities.
- Screen Reader Testing
Screen readers are software programs that convert on-screen text to speech. Conducting tests using screen readers like NVDA or JAWS allows testers to experience the site as a visually impaired user would, identifying issues that might not be caught by automated tools. - Keyboard Navigation
Many users with motor limitations navigate websites using only the keyboard. Manually testing a website using just the keyboard checks for the ability to access all interactive elements without a mouse. - User Testing
The most effective way to identify accessibility barriers is to involve users with disabilities in the testing process. Users with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive disabilities can provide invaluable feedback on the usability of your website.
For the most thorough manual testing, it's ideal to involve a combination of accessibility experts, users with disabilities who have some experience providing website feedback, and ideally, testers who have both accessibility expertise and a disability.
Professional Services
For a comprehensive ADA website audit and remediation plan, consider bringing in professional accessibility auditing services. Accessibility specialists possess the in-depth knowledge and experience required to conduct a thorough evaluation of your website, identify a wider range of accessibility issues beyond what automated tools may detect. They can provide specific recommendations to help get your website compliant with ADA and WCAG standards.
The cost of professional web accessibility audit services will vary depending on the size and complexity of your website, but the benefits of a professional audit far outweigh the investment. A well-designed and accessible website is not only essential for legal compliance with the ADA and other laws, it also improves user experience for everyone, potentially leading to increased brand loyalty and customer satisfaction.
Common Accessibility Issues & How To Solve Them
Here's a small list outlining a few common accessibility problems, solutions, and best practices:
Accessibility Barrier
Missing Alt Text
Solution
Add descriptive alt text to all images and non-text content.
Best Practices
Scan automatically for missing alt text, then add it manually.
Accessibility Barrier
Poor Color Contrast
Solution
Use high contrast color schemes to begin with, or adjust to match required contrast ratios.
Best Practices
Always use tools to verify color contrast ratios.
Accessibility Barrier
Non-Descriptive Link Text
Solution
Use clear, descriptive link text that conveys the destination of the link.
Best Practices
Avoid vague link text like “click here” or “learn more”. Avoid using abbreviations or acronyms in link text, unless they are widely understood.
Accessibility Barrier
Inaccessible Forms
Solution
Implement labels and accessible fields. Check keyboard navigability.
Best Practices
Test forms with screen readers and keyboard navigation.
ADA Audits: For You, For Users, For Accessibility
In today's digital age, websites are essential for communication and commerce. For many users with disabilities, inaccessible websites can create significant barriers. Conducting an ADA website audit is an excellent first step towards creating a more inclusive online experience. By following the strategies and tools outlined in this article, businesses can create websites that are accessible to everyone. ADA-led WCAG website compliance, evaluated by an audit helps mitigate legal risks and improves user experience for all visitors, regardless of their abilities. Accessible websites tend to rank higher in search engine results, leading to greater visibility and increased website traffic. Taking action to improve website accessibility is an investment in a more inclusive and successful online presence. Consider these measures more than regulatory compliance: they’re an opportunity to welcome a wider audience and improve user interaction for all.
FAQs
A website accessibility audit report should include identified issues that may cause problems for users with disabilities, their impact, recommended fixes, and a prioritized action plan for compliance with accessibility standards.
