The ADA guidelines for online content are getting updated later this month. As a business owner that utilizes digital platforms it is important that you are upholding these laws and providing equity to online users of all abilities. The Yelling Mule team can offer you support and answer questions along the way as you update your site!
What is ADA?
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was created to end discrimination based on differing abilities and to provide “reasonable accommodations” to employees with disabilities. Once the internet was invented and became more widespread an amendment, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), was made to provide accommodations online. WCAG requires websites to offer accessibility features to allow people equal access and opportunity on the internet and utilizes the acronym POUR. The principles of POUR are that websites should be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
Tools to Implement
Here are some important features to make sure to include on your website to support individuals that are visually or auditorily impaired.
Closed Captions
Adding closed captioning (cc) to any video content where auditory information is being shared assists people who are deaf or suffer from hearing loss
Transcripts of Interviews
Similar to how television stations are required to offer cc to viewers, all video content and podcasts should come with full and detailed transcripts for people.
Color Contrast
Use high-contrast colors to distinguish content when designing. It is estimated that 300 million people suffer from color vision deficiency (CVD) worldwide. To learn more and experience the CVD simulator explore Color Blindness Awareness or utilizing Adobe to check coloring on your website.
Alt Text
Alternative text or ‘alt text’ is a copy that is written for an image on a webpage, that will appear if an image fails to load. Screen-reading tools utilize alt texts to properly describe images to the visually impaired. Providing detailed descriptions makes a huge difference in user experience. This results in users staying longer on your site, and improves your SEO! It’s a win-win-win.
Text Format
Follow the WordPress heading tags. Not only will the format make your work look better, but the sizing and spacing will make your page or blog easier to read or digest. Keep the sizing and font style in mind too!
Why Should I Consider ADA Guidelines?
Your business could be sued if your website is not compliant with ADA protocols. To avoid costly legal fees, you can work with our team to have your accessibility features checked. WCAG 2.2 is expected to be released in late September 2023, so checking your website when the new requirements drop is essential. At Yelling Mule, we offer a complimentary scan to make sure your business pages are updated to be compliant with ADA guidelines.
