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ADA Compliance for Websites Beginner Checklist to Improve Accessibility
Many small business owners know accessibility matters but feel unsure about where to begin or what standards actually apply. Terms like ADA and WCAG create confusion, and the fear of legal risk often overshadows the practical benefits of making your site easier to use.
You can address the most common accessibility gaps with a clear checklist. Most updates require no technical background and can be completed in stages as part of your regular content workflow.
This article explains what ADA compliance means in plain terms, walks through seven beginner-friendly steps to improve accessibility, and shows how ongoing attention to these details strengthens usability and long-term results.
What ADA Compliance Means for Your Website
ADA compliance refers to following the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires businesses to make their services accessible to people with disabilities. While the ADA does not include explicit technical standards for websites, courts and regulatory guidance have consistently pointed to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as the practical framework for meeting accessibility expectations online.
ADA vs WCAG and What Applies to You
The ADA sets the legal expectation that businesses provide equal access. WCAG provides a technical roadmap. Published by the World Wide Web Consortium, WCAG outlines specific criteria for making web content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Most businesses aim for WCAG 2.1 Level AA, which covers the majority of accessibility needs without requiring highly specialized development.
Why Accessibility Impacts All Visitors
Accessible design improves usability across devices, browsers, and user preferences. Clear headings help all users scan content quickly. Strong color contrast makes text easier to read in bright sunlight or on older monitors. Keyboard navigation benefits anyone who prefers shortcuts or works without a mouse.
Visitors also notice when a site is easy to navigate and when forms provide helpful feedback. That trust translates into higher engagement and more completed actions.
How Non-Compliance Creates Barriers and Risk
Inaccessible features prevent customers from completing tasks. A form without labels confuses screen reader users. A video without captions excludes anyone in a sound-sensitive environment. Low contrast text becomes unreadable for visitors with visual impairments. Each barrier represents a lost opportunity to convert interest into action.
Legal risk exists as well. Businesses face lawsuits and demand letters when their websites fail to meet accessibility standards. While outcomes vary by jurisdiction, the trend toward enforcement continues to grow. Learn more here!
Addressing accessibility proactively reduces exposure and demonstrates a commitment to serving all customers equally.
Beginner-Friendly Checklist for ADA Compliance
The steps below address the most common accessibility gaps found on small business websites. You can complete these updates in stages and apply them to new content as part of your regular publishing workflow.
Step 1: Add Alt Text to All Images
Alt text describes the content and function of an image for users who cannot see it. Screen readers rely on this text to convey meaning, and search engines use it to understand context.
Write descriptions that are clear and concise.
A product photo might read "navy blue running shoe with white sole." A logo might read “Legend Digital Marketing Agency logo.” Decorative images that add no informational value can use empty alt text to avoid unnecessary noise for screen reader users.
Step 2: Use Clear Headings and Logical Structure
Headings organize content and help users navigate pages quickly. Screen readers use heading structure to jump between sections, so logical order matters.
Start each page with one H1 that names the topic. Use H2 tags for major sections and H3 tags for subsections. Avoid skipping levels or using headings for visual styling alone. Proper structure supports both accessibility and SEO by signaling content hierarchy clearly.
Step 3: Improve Color Contrast for Readability
Color contrast affects how easily text can be read against its background. WCAG AA requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
Test your text blocks, buttons, and background images using free contrast checkers. Adjust colors when contrast falls short. This change benefits users with low vision and improves readability for everyone viewing your site in varying light conditions.
Step 4: Make Forms Accessible
Forms are essential for lead generation, yet they often create accessibility barriers. Every field needs a visible label that explains what information is required. Error messages should be clear and specific, such as "Email address is missing" rather than "Invalid input."
Ensure keyboard navigation works throughout the form. Users should be able to tab between fields, select options, and submit without needing a mouse. Instructions should appear before the form, not buried in tooltips or hover states.
Step 5: Add Descriptive Link Text
Link text should explain where the link leads. Phrases like "click here" or "read more" provide no context when read out of order by a screen reader.
Use descriptive language that names the destination or action. Instead of "click here to learn about our services," write "learn about our marketing services." This clarity helps all users scan pages and decide which links to follow.
Step 6: Test Keyboard Navigation
Many users navigate websites without a mouse. Keyboard accessibility ensures that every interactive element can be reached and activated using the Tab key, Enter key, and arrow keys.
Test your site by navigating with your keyboard only. Confirm that focus indicators are visible, that tab order follows a logical path, and that no element traps focus or blocks progress. Dropdown menus, modals, and embedded widgets often need adjustments to work properly with keyboard input.
Step 7: Review Video and Audio Accessibility
Video and audio content require captions or transcripts to be accessible. Captions benefit users who are deaf or hard of hearing, but they also help anyone watching in a noisy environment or with sound turned off.
Provide controls that are easy to reach and operate. Auto-playing media should be avoidable, and volume controls should be clearly labeled. Transcripts offer an alternative format for users who prefer to read or cannot access video players.
Tools That Help You Check Accessibility
Automated tools can identify many accessibility issues quickly.
Consider these options:
- Free scanners like WAVE, Lighthouse, and Axe highlight missing alt text, low contrast, and structural errors. Browser extensions allow you to test individual pages as you build or update content.
- Manual review remains essential. Automated tools cannot assess whether alt text is meaningful, whether heading order makes sense, or whether keyboard navigation feels intuitive. Combine automated scans with hands-on testing to catch issues that require human judgment.
- WCAG guidelines provide detailed success criteria that explain what each standard requires. Reviewing these criteria helps you understand why certain patterns work and how to apply them consistently across your site.
- Context-aware testing addresses what automated tools miss. They flag technical issues but cannot evaluate tone, clarity, or user intent. A complete accessibility review pairs with technical scans with real-world testing to ensure your site works well for the people who use it.
Why Accessibility Is Ongoing Work
Accessibility requires consistent attention. Every new page, blog post, or product listing introduces the possibility of new issues. Seasonal campaigns, design updates, and platform changes can unintentionally create barriers if accessibility is not part of the review process.
Website platforms and plugins update regularly. A plugin that worked well last quarter may introduce accessibility gaps after an update. Regular monitoring helps you catch these changes before they affect user experience.
Accessibility also strengthens SEO and conversions over time. Search engines favor sites with clear structure, descriptive links, and fast load times. Users stay longer and complete more actions when navigation is intuitive, and content is easy to read.
Build a More Accessible Website with Legend
Accessible websites serve more customers, reduce legal risk, and create better experiences for every visitor. When your site follows clear accessibility standards, customers can complete actions with confidence, and your brand earns trust through careful design.
Ready to make your website accessible to every customer? Contact Legend today!
