Top ADA Best Practices That Make your Digital Touchpoints Inclusive
On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. This landmark legislation protects the rights of, and promotes equal opportunity for, people with disabilities. Accessibility is now all around us. It is so commonplace in many aspects of our lives that we hardly give it a second thought when seeing wheelchair ramps, braille on elevators and closed captioning for movies. But accessibility is also important to implement into digital spaces — for example, on your website.
ADA compliance ensures users with varying disabilities can navigate and interact with your websites, communications and products effectively. ADA prohibits discriminating against those with disabilities, and ensures there are reasonable accommodations in place for those individuals. This means ADA compliance should serve as a centerpiece to your company’s digital experiences.
Accessibility Best Practices
Creating accessible emails, websites and other digital touchpoints ensures that all your consumers, including those with disabilities, can engage with your content. By adhering to accessibility best practices, you not only promote inclusivity but also enhance the user experience, improve SEO and widen your audience reach.
Utilize Alt Text for Images
- Descriptive alt text ensures that images can be read without relying on the full image design.
- Users need to know exactly what they are supposed to see to understand, process and interact with the message.
- Screen readers can describe the image to a user who is blind, using the descriptive alt text.
Be Mindful of Emojis
- Never replace a word with an emoji
- Emojis should always be at the end of a subject line.
- Never use emoticons (they are read as punctuation by screen readers).
Use Readable & Web-Safe Fonts
- Generally, font sizes should be at least 14–16px. This is so users can comfortably read content without struggling. Additionally, using web-safe fonts is a great way to help mitigate any other issues that may arise from an unsafe font not displaying properly.
Ensure Proper Color Contrast
- This is one of the most important guidelines to follow, as it can be the difference between an excellent experience or a poor one. There are various contrast checkers available that can help identify areas where colors may need adjusted, but knowing the guidelines prior to executing a design can help to cut down on rework.
- Test Your Email Without Visuals
- This helps identify compliance gaps and remedy them prior to deploying an email that many users will have difficulty with.
Keep Dark Mode in Mind
- Users with visual impairments, light sensitivity or certain visual disorders find dark mode easier to read. Using dark-mode-friendly design ensures that digital experiences are accessible to a broader audience.
Develop Using Semantic Code
- This step provides structure and clarity, making it easier for assistive technologies like screen readers to interpret content accurately. It also ensures you are prepared for future integrations with emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality or Voice Activation.
Prioritize Keyboard Navigation
- Ensure all functionality is accessible via keyboard alone, without requiring mouse input.
Use Form Labels
- Use clear, descriptive labels for webform elements and ensure they’re properly associated.
Use ARIA Attributes
- Use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes when necessary to enhance accessibility of complex UI components.
Utilize Captions and Transcripts
- Provide captions for videos and transcripts for audio content.
Display Clear Error Messaging
- Clearly communicate errors and provide instructions for correction.
Have Consistent Navigation
- Maintain consistent navigation patterns throughout the website.
These are just a few ways to be more accessible and effective for the widest audience possible. Read more about compliance standards and best practices by visiting the links below:
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