Website Accessibility Checklist

Website Accessibility

THE BEST WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY CHECKLIST, EVER.

It’s nearing the end of 2020, and we could all agree that online communication and collaboration has never been as critical as it is right now. COVID-19 has forced everyone to re-evaluate how we buy groceries, order food, or even schedule a much-needed doctor’s appointment!

The largest population needing access to the internet are people with disabilities. The CDC states that over 61 million people in the United States are living with a disability. That’s over 25% of the country’s population!

An accessible and ADA-compliant website benefits everyone and creates an inclusive space that is equal for all. You might not know where to start, so we’ve created a Website Accessibility Checklist to determine if you are compliant under the ADA and following best practices towards website accessibility!

1. Craft an accessibility policy and statement. Address that your website is conforming to compliance standards but be honest, specific, and transparent. Provide the conformance criteria, a detailed timeline, and a call-to-action for accessibility support. If a disabled user needs help, they need a lifeline to your goods and services!

2. Build your task force. As you identify goals and build efforts towards digital inclusion, you will need support and dialogue to formulate and executive your accessibility program!

3. Prioritize your digital assets. Make the project manageable by making a list of your current digital assets and those planned for future launches. You can segment each asset based on usage, risk, and even branding!

4. Start testing for accessibility. This includes mobile application accessibility testing and mobile website accessibility testing too. You will need to hire an expert to conduct an accessibility audit and help you determine the scope of work!

5. Perform a human audit. Technological scans, artificial intelligence, overlays, and widgets only achieve a surface level of compliance. Human judgment is required. Web accessibility evaluation tools cannot determine accessibility; they can only assist in doing so!

6. Curate a compliance plan. Considerable changes to a website and its content happen regularly. Your team will need to be prepared and be assigned tasks!

7. Train your team. Favorable training that is ongoing maintains an accessible structure and keeps you out of the courtroom!

8. Build an inclusive culture. Starting with an accessible platform has proven to be less stressful on your resources and your budget!

9. Broadcast your message. Share your plans and goals publicly. Even if your website isn’t compliant, it is more than okay to communicate your commitment to accessibility. Bridging the digital divide is something to be proud of and loyal visitors are sure to follow!

10. Wash, rinse, and repeat. Accessibility and compliance are living programs. Throughout the conformance process, there will be programmatic steps that are specific to your needs. There will always be new challenges ahead as the digital landscape continues to change. We are proud to be part of a more equal and inclusive journey. Contact ADA SITE COMPLIANCE to start your accessibility program today!