ADA Compliance Checklist: Ensure Website Accessibility

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) establishes standards for accessible design for both digital and non-digital environments in the USA. Being passed in 1990, it doesn’t even specify websites or digital content directly. ADA primarily focuses on places of public accommodation. With the rapid usage of digital technology, websites, mobile apps, and other online spaces have been considered places of public accommodation. Although the ADA doesn’t specify what standards websites or apps should follow, it considers WCAG as the de facto standard. So in this blog, we will be providing you with an ADA website compliance checklist that you can follow to ensure that your website is ADA compliant.

Why is it Important?

Organizations must comply with ADA regulations to avoid penalties and ensure accessibility for all users. For example, let’s say you own a pizza store. You have to ensure that the proper accessible entry points can allow people in wheelchairs to enter and eventually place the order. Similarly, for websites, a person with disabilities must also be able to access the website and place the order successfully. The reason why we chose the example of a pizza store is because Domino’s was sued for this very same reason as their website and mobile app were not compatible with screen readers.

What is WCAG?

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is the universal standard followed to ensure digital accessibility. There are three different compliance levels under WCAG: A (basic), AA (intermediate), and AAA (advanced).

• A is a minimal level that only covers basic fixes that prevent major barriers for people with disabilities. This level doesn’t ensure accessibility but only ensures the website is not unusable.
• AA is the most widely accepted standard as it would resolve most of the major issues faced by people with disabilities. It is the level of compliance required by many countries’ accessibility laws (including the ADA in the U.S.).
• AAA is the most advanced level of accessibility and is targetted only by specialized websites where accessibility is the main focus as the checks are often impractical for all content.

ADA Website Compliance Checklist:

Based on WCAG standard 2.1, these are some of the checklists that need to be followed in the website design. To ensure you can understand it clearly, we have broken down the ADA website compliance checklist based on the segments of the websites. For example, Headings, Landmarks, Page Structure, Multimedia content, Color, and so on.

• Page Structure
• Page Navigation
• Language
• Heading Structure
• Multimedia Content
• Animation & Flashing Content
• Images
• Color & Contrast
• Keyboard Accessibility
• Link Purpose
• Error Handling
• Zoom & Text Resizing
• Form Accessibility

1. Page Structure

A well-structured webpage improves accessibility by ensuring that content is logically arranged and easy to navigate. Proper use of headings, spacing, labels, and tables helps all users, including those using assistive technologies, to understand and interact with the page effectively.

1.1 Information & Relationships

• ‘strong’ and ’em’ tags must be used instead of ‘b’ and ‘i’.
• Proper HTML list structures (‘ol’, ‘ul’, and ‘dl’>) should be implemented.
• Labels must be correctly associated with form fields using ‘label’ tags.
• Data tables should include proper column and row headers.

1.2 Text Spacing

• The line height should be at least 1.5 times the font size.
• Paragraph spacing must be at least 2 times the font size.
• Letter and word spacing should be set for readability.

1.3 Bypass Blocks

• “Skip to content” links should be provided to allow users to bypass navigation menus.

1.4 Page Titles

• Unique and descriptive page titles must be included.

2. Page Navigation

A well-structured navigation system helps users quickly find information and move between pages. Consistency and multiple navigation methods improve usability and accessibility for all users, including those with assistive technologies.

2.1 Consistency

• The navigation structure should remain the same across all pages.
• The position of menus, search bars, and key navigation elements should not change.
• Common elements like logos, headers, footers, and sidebars should appear consistently.
• Labels and functions of navigation buttons should be identical on every page (e.g., a “Buy Now” button should not be labeled differently on other pages).

2.2 Multiple Navigation Methods

• Users should have at least two or more ways to navigate content. These may include:
• A homepage with links to all pages
• Search functionality
• A site map
• A table of contents
• Primary and secondary navigation menus
• Repetition of important links in the footer
• Breadcrumb navigation
• Skip links should be available to jump directly to the main content.

3. Language

Defining the correct language settings on a webpage helps screen readers and other assistive technologies interpret and pronounce text correctly. Without proper language attributes, users relying on these tools may struggle to understand the content.

3.1 Language of the Page

• The correct language should be set for the entire webpage using the lang attribute (e.g., ‘html lang=”en”‘).
• The declared language should match the primary language of the content.
• Screen readers should be able to detect and read the content in the correct language.
• If the page contains multiple languages, the primary language should still be properly defined.

3.2 Language of Parts

• The correct language should be assigned to any section of text that differs from the main language using the lang attribute (e.g.,[span lang=”fr” Bonjour/span]).
• Each language change should be marked properly to ensure correct pronunciation by screen readers.
• Language codes should be accurately applied according to international standards (e.g., lang=”es” for Spanish).

4. Heading Structure

Headings provide structure to web pages, making them easier to navigate for users and assistive technologies. A logical heading hierarchy ensures clarity and improves readability.

• The presence of a single ‘h1’ tag must be ensured.
• A logical heading hierarchy from ‘h1’ to ‘h6’ should be followed.
• Headings must be descriptive and should not be abbreviated.

5. Multimedia Content

Multimedia elements like audio and video must be accessible to all users, including those with hearing or visual impairments. Providing transcripts, captions, and audio descriptions ensures inclusivity.

5.1 Audio & Video

• Text alternatives must be provided for audio and video content.
• Transcripts should be included for audio-only content.
• Video content must have transcripts, subtitles, captions, and audio descriptions.

5.2 Captions

• Pre-recorded video content must include captions that are synchronized and accurate.
• Non-speech sounds, such as background noise and speaker identification, should be conveyed in captions.
• Live content must be accompanied by real-time captions.

5.3 Audio Control

• If audio plays automatically for more than three seconds, controls for pause, play, and stop must be provided.

6. Animation & Flashing Content

Animations and flashing elements can enhance user engagement, but they must be implemented carefully to avoid distractions and health risks for users with disabilities, including those with photosensitivity or motion sensitivities.

6.1 Controls for Moving Content

• A pause, stop, or hide option must be available for any moving or auto-updating content.
• The control must be keyboard accessible within three tab stops.
• The movement should not restart automatically after being paused or stopped by the user.
• Auto-playing content should not last longer than five seconds unless user-controlled.

6.2 Flashing Content Restrictions

• Content must not flash more than three times per second to prevent seizures (photosensitive epilepsy).
• If flashing content is necessary, it must pass a photosensitive epilepsy analysis tool test.
• Flashing or blinking elements should be avoided unless absolutely required.

7. Images

Images are a vital part of web design, but they must be accessible to users with visual impairments. Screen readers rely on alternative text (alt text) to describe images, ensuring that all users can understand their purpose.

7.1 Alternative Text

• Informative images must have descriptive alt text.
• Decorative images should use alt=”” to be ignored by screen readers.
• Complex images should include detailed descriptions in surrounding text.
• Functional images, such as buttons, must have meaningful alt text (e.g., “Search” instead of “Magnifying glass”).

7.2 Avoiding Text in Images

• Text should be provided as actual HTML text rather than embedded in images.

8. Color & Contrast

Proper use of color and contrast is essential for users with low vision or color blindness. Relying solely on color to convey meaning can make content inaccessible, while poor contrast can make text difficult to read.

8.1 Use of Color

• Color should not be the sole method of conveying meaning.
• Graphs and charts must include labels instead of relying on color alone.

8.2 Contrast Requirements

• A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text must be maintained.

9. Keyboard Accessibility

Keyboard accessibility is essential for users who rely on keyboard-only navigation due to mobility impairments. All interactive elements must be fully accessible using the Tab, Arrow, and Enter keys.

9.1 Keyboard Navigation

• All interactive elements must be accessible via keyboard navigation.

9.2 No Keyboard Trap

• Users must be able to navigate out of any element without getting stuck.

9.3 Focus Management

• Focus indicators must be visible.
• The focus order should follow the logical reading sequence.

10. Link Purpose

Links play a crucial role in website navigation, helping users move between pages and access relevant information. However, vague or generic link text like “Click here” or “Read more” can be confusing, especially for users relying on screen readers.

• Link text should be clearly written to describe the destination (generic phrases like “Click here” or “Read more” should be avoided).
• Similar links should be distinguished with unique text or additional context.
• Redundant links pointing to the same destination should be removed.
• Links should be visually identifiable with underlines or sufficient color contrast.
• ARIA labels should be used when extra context is needed for assistive technologies.

11. Error Handling

Proper error handling ensures that users can easily identify and resolve issues when interacting with a website. Descriptive error messages and preventive measures help users avoid frustration and mistakes, improving overall accessibility.

11.1 Error Identification

• Errors must be clearly indicated when a required field is left blank or filled incorrectly.
• Error messages should be text-based and not rely on color alone.
• The error message should appear near the field where the issue occurs.

11.2 Error Prevention for Important Data

• Before submitting legal, financial, or sensitive data, users must be given the chance to:
• Review entered information.
• Confirm details before final submission.
• Correct any mistakes detected.
• A confirmation message should be displayed before finalizing critical transactions.

12. Zoom & Text Resizing

Users with visual impairments often rely on zooming and text resizing to read content comfortably. A well-designed website should maintain readability and functionality when text size is increased without causing layout issues.

12.1 Text Resize

• Text must be resizable up to 200% without loss of content or functionality.
• No horizontal scrolling should occur unless necessary for complex content (e.g., tables, graphs).

12.2 Reflow

• Content must remain readable and usable when zoomed to 400%.
• No truncation, overlap, or missing content should occur.
• When zooming to 400%, a single-column layout should be used where possible.
• Browser zoom should be tested by adjusting the display resolution to 1280×1080.

13. Form Accessibility

Forms are a critical part of user interaction on websites, whether for sign-ups, payments, or data submissions. Ensuring that forms are accessible, easy to navigate, and user-friendly helps people with disabilities complete them without confusion or frustration.

13.1 Labels & Instructions

• Each form field must have a clear, descriptive label (e.g., “Email Address” instead of “Email”).
• Labels must be programmatically associated with input fields for screen readers.
• Required fields should be marked with an asterisk (*) or explicitly stated (e.g., “This field is required”).
• Error messages should be clear and specific (e.g., “Please enter a valid phone number in the format +1-123-456-7890”).

13.2 Input Assistance

• Auto-fill attributes should be enabled for common fields (e.g., name, email, phone number).
• Auto-complete suggestions should be provided where applicable.
• Form fields should support input hints or tooltips for better guidance.
• Icons or visual indicators should be used where necessary (e.g., a calendar icon for date selection).
• Dropdowns, radio buttons, and checkboxes should be clearly labeled to help users make selections easily.

Conclusion: ADA website compliance checklist

Ensuring ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) website compliance is essential for providing an accessible, inclusive, and user-friendly digital experience for all users, including those with disabilities. This checklist covers key accessibility principles, ensuring that web content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.

By following this ADA website compliance checklist, websites can become more accessible to people with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. Ensuring compliance not only avoids legal risks but also improves usability for all users, leading to better engagement, inclusivity, and user satisfaction.

Codoid is well experienced in this type of testing, ensuring that websites meet ADA, WCAG, and other accessibility standards effectively. Accessibility is not just a requirement—it’s a responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions