Making Every User Welcome
Greenleaf helps organizations of all sizes adhere to current ADA regulations to make sure their websites are accessible for everyone. If your website is not ADA compliant, you are missing out on a good chunk of the people you are trying to reach—as much as 20%!
What Does ADA Compliance Mean?
An ADA compliant website is easily navigable by people with disabilities. For example, someone with low vision can still interact with your website by changing font sizes or utilizing screen readers.
Here are more tools that people use to get around the web.
- Text to Speech and Screen Readers
- Screen Magnifiers and Customization Tools
- Reader Mode
- Speech Recognition and Voice Commands
- Keyboard navigation
- Predictable Structure and Navigation
What are the Benefits of an ADA Compliant website?
- Increased inclusivity and improved user experience. That means more people can view and interact with your website, which means a bigger audience for your organization.
- Higher search engine rankings and engagement. Accessible features like easy navigation and fast load times encourage user engagement, which improves SEO ranking.
- Legal compliance and reduced legal risk. Organizations associated with state and local governments are legally required to be ADA accessible.
- Enhanced brand image and expanded market reach. Almost 20% of the population requires accommodation. People view you favorably if you welcome everybody.
- Future-readying your company. The future is inclusive. Make sure your website stays ahead.
What Features Does an Accessible Website Need?
In order to be compatible with these tools, organizations need to add these features to their websites.
- Accessibility-Forward UI/UX and Design
- Media Tag Optimization
- Alt Text for images
- Captions on videos
- Transcriptions for podcasts
- Accessibility Certificate
- Ongoing Monitoring for Accessibility Updates
- Enhanced Usability Features, which include:
- Keyboard Navigation
- Voice Command Navigation
- Dyslexia-Friendly Fonts
- Smart Contrast
- Screen Reader Compatibility
When Does My Website Need to be Accessible By?
There is no specific deadline for non-profit and private sector websites to reach ADA compliance but it is definitely something to still consider. Typically, accessible websites offer a better user experience which improves site ranking (SEO) through better structure, faster load times, and clean navigation, leading to lower bounce rates and higher user engagement.
If you are a municipal or local government, having an accessible website is the law. Municipal and local government organizations could potentially face legal issues if their website is not ADA compliant by a certain date.
What Are the Current Deadlines for Title II ADA Accessibility?
- Local government and municipal entities with a total population of 50,000 or more need to meet compliance by April 26, 2027.
- Local government and municipal entities with a total population less than 50,000 need to meet compliance by April 26, 2028.
In April 2024, the Federal Register published its final regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which presents specific accessibility requirements for web content and mobile applications. In 2026, the Department of Justice granted an extension to Title II and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The intention was to help municipalities who are managing limited resources in finance and staffing.
How Can I Get an Accessible Website?
Greenleaf Media is here to help achieve ADA compliance and improve the usability of your website. We’ll assure your website meets the needs of all users, including those with disabilities.