Mockup of two phones displaying the Cimarron Electric website and the ADA menu

ADA Compliance: More Than Obligation

For the most part, the internet has revolutionized accessibility to information, as well as our connections to new ventures and businesses. But, that “most” has yet to become a whole. For millions of people with disabilities, accessing information and communicating online can sometimes feel like more of a struggle than its worth. This is where the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) comes in.

The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all aspects of public life, including access to goods and services. This means that, with the internet having become essential to everyday life, these protections are extended to websites as well. This being said, while it is legally required for your website to be accessible, it’s also simply the right thing to do, in order to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, can have the same opportunity to access the digital world.

While ADA compliance holds legal weight, the importance of website accessibility transcends mere legal obligation. It’s about inclusivity, about ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to participate in the digital world. Blind people may struggle to navigate a website with clunky screen reader compatibility. A deaf individual may be excluded from video content because of a lack of captions. People with motor impairments may not be able to fill out a form due to a lack of accessibility features. By going to website designers who take this into account in their website development, you’re opening the door of your business to everyone, regardless of their circumstance.

On top of just being inclusive, ADA compliance has been shown to be beneficial in other aspects. Accessible websites are more likely to have optimized SEO, so search engines like Google prioritize them in the search results, which improves your ranking, as well as the visibility of your site as a whole. Making your website accessible inherently makes your pool of customers much larger, as you’re catering to more people. It’s also leading to a better user experience for everyone, not even just those who require specific accessibility. Good accessibility practices benefit everyone, and creates a smoother experience on your website overall.

*This post was written by a human named Alex.