How to Make a Website ADA Compliant – Easy Step-by-Step Instructions

Figuring out how to make your website ADA compliant can feel like a challenge. What needs to be fixed? Which tools should you use? Where do you even start? Worry not. We’ll answer all of that so you can move forward with confidence.

This guide provides you with the steps and free tools needed to make your website ADA compliant. You’ll learn exactly what to do, from assessing your site’s accessibility to fixing issues and maintaining compliance with the help of the right tools.

Why Should You Make Your Website ADA Compliant?

The short answer? It only benefits your business.

When you make your website ADA compliant, you make it accessible. And with accessibility comes several key benefits:

• More people can use your site, expanding your audience.
• Your website becomes easier to use, creating a better user experience for all.
• Improved user experience sends positive signals to Google, boosting SEO.
• Accessibility also protects your business from lawsuits and fines.

Now, let’s go over how to make your website ADA-compliant.

How to Make Your Website ADA Compliant

To make your website ADA-compliant, it should follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, the standard recommended under the ADA for accessibility.

If you’re hearing about WCAG for the first time, it might seem complex or intimidating. However, conforming to this standard is easier than it looks. It takes only six simple steps to make your website ADA-compliant, and they are:

Now, let’s go through each step in detail.

Step 1: Run an Automated Accessibility Scan

The first step toward ADA compliance is running an automated accessibility audit. This helps you quickly identify common WCAG violations, such as missing alt text, poor color contrast, and incorrect heading structures.

You can run an automated accessibility audit using WebYes – a free, user-friendly tool designed for anyone, no technical expertise required. Simply enter your website URL, and the tool will scan your site and generate a report of accessibility issues.

Step 2: Conduct a Manual Accessibility Audit

While automated tools detect many technical errors, they can’t make your website fully WCAG compliant – and therefore, ADA compliant. Some nuanced WCAG 2.1 guidelines require human judgment, making manual review essential.

Here’s what a manual audit involves:

• Keyboard navigation testing: Ensure that all menus, buttons, and interactive elements can be accessed without a mouse.
• Screen reader compatibility: Use screen readers like NVDA or VoiceOver to test how your site is read aloud.
• Content structure review: Check that headings, links, and labels make sense in a non-visual context.

WebYes simplifies manual audits by highlighting issues that need expert review, making it easier to address them (see the image below). If you’re unfamiliar with manual testing, consider working with an accessibility professional who can conduct a thorough evaluation for you.

Step 3: Fix Accessibility Issues Found in the Audits

Once you’ve identified accessibility gaps, the next step is to fix them. Start by addressing the simpler issues found in the automated scan, such as:

• Adding alt text to images.
• Improving color contrast to meet WCAG requirements.
• Ensuring text is resizable without breaking the layout.

For more complex fixes – such as ensuring proper keyboard navigation, making forms accessible, and adding accurate captions for videos – you may need assistance from an accessibility expert or developer familiar with WCAG guidelines.

After making these changes, run another accessibility scan to confirm that your fixes are effective.

Step 4: Publish an Accessibility Statement

Once your website meets ADA accessibility standards, you should publish an accessibility statement. This informs users that you are committed to maintaining an inclusive website and allows them to report any accessibility challenges they encounter.

Your statement should include:

• The WCAG level you are compliant with (e.g., WCAG 2.1 Level AA).
• Any known limitations and planned improvements.
• A contact method for users needing accessibility assistance.

There are several free tools online that can help you generate an accessibility statement. The W3C Accessibility Statement Generator is a good place to start.

Step 5: Monitor and Maintain Accessibility

Accessibility is an ongoing process – it’s not something you do once and forget about. As you update your website with new content, features, or design changes, new accessibility issues can arise.

To maintain compliance:

• Schedule regular audits using accessibility tools.
• Stay updated with the latest WCAG guidelines to ensure ongoing compliance.

Using website monitoring tools like WebYes can help catch new issues early, ensuring your website remains accessible over time.

Step 6: Educate Your Team on Accessibility

Achieving and maintaining ADA compliance requires a team-wide effort. Your developers, designers, and content creators should all understand accessibility best practices.

Start by providing training on:

• WCAG guidelines and common accessibility barriers.
• How to create accessible content, including proper use of alt text and captions.
• The importance of keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility.

Creating a culture of accessibility within your team ensures that your website remains compliant, user-friendly, and inclusive for all visitors. Embrace shift-left accessibility to integrate accessibility from the start and prevent issues before they arise.

What Are the Consequences of ADA Non-compliance?

Failing to make your website ADA-compliant can have serious repercussions for your business. Here are the key consequences of non-compliance:

• Legal risks and lawsuits: Your business could face lawsuits, fines, and costly settlements.
• Loss of customers and revenue: An inaccessible website excludes millions of potential users.
• Negative impact on SEO: Search engines prioritise websites with a good user experience, including strong Core Web Vitals. Inaccessibility can hurt usability, leading to lower rankings.
• Damage to brand reputation: Being seen as non-inclusive can hurt customer trust and loyalty.

The good news is that achieving ADA compliance is easier than you think. By following the steps in this guide, you can make your website accessible, improve user experience, and protect your business from legal risks – all while expanding your audience.

Start Your ADA Compliance Journey with WebYes

Achieving ADA compliance doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With WebYes, you get the tools and guidance needed to make your website accessible and compliant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA – the recognised standard for ADA compliance.

WebYes helps you:

• Run automated accessibility audits to quickly identify compliance issues.
• Highlight areas that need manual review for a thorough accessibility assessment.
• Continuously monitor compliance to keep your website accessible over time.

Get started today with WebYes and take the first step toward making your website ADA-compliant, user-friendly, and legally protected.

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