ADA Web Compliance
Does your healthcare business website have user-friendly material for people with disabilities? You have probably never thought of that. Right? Well now that it has come to your attention, it is time you make a change. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) implemented in 2010 by the United States Department of Justice requires all organizations to create and maintain websites that are usable and accessible to people with disabilities.
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What is ADA web compliance?
It is following the Americans with Disability Act Standards for Accessible Design, which firmly states that all information and electronic technology must be accessible to persons living with disabilities.
By following this ADA web compliance, your health organization is bound to grow because of its commitment and dedication to all kinds of people.
Which organizations need to follow ADA Requirements?
Organizations that need to follow the ADA guidelines are:
- State and the local government agencies- all state-owned organizations, corporations, and parastatals at both county level and national level must adhere to these policies.
- Private organizations with 15 or more employees- all private companies not controlled by the state must all follow these ADA rules.
- Public organizations- all organizations that operate to serve the public such as NGOs, schools, and hospitals among others must also meet these requirements.
Therefore, whether you are a dentist, dermatologist, or neurosurgeon, make sure your website follows these ADA standards.
You are probably wondering if all this is necessary. After all, you have never got into any trouble for lack of compliance, right? Well, many have also been mistaken with that before. But what they don't know is....
What can happen if you do not have web compliance?
Your medical practice may face lawsuits.
Lack of following this web compliance leaves your organization vulnerable to liability. If most people living with disabilities cannot access or use your website, then a lawsuit may find its way to you on grounds of discrimination.
You may not have any intentions to exclude people with disabilities, but you could still lose a lot of money in such a lawsuit.
The brand reputation may be tarnished.
In this digital world, people are using social media to make sure that businesses are accountable for their actions. Lack of web compliance may lead to a public lawsuit for discriminating against people living with disabilities. This can damage your brand’s reputation for good. This may affect the performance of your medical practice for many years, which will result in profound loss for you.
Your organization might lose potential customers.
As a healthcare organization, lack of an ADA compliant website means neglecting a significant portion of your target audience. Your organization will therefore not be performing at its maximum potential because of neglecting a large chunk of its clients. Patients that come to your organization as well as your employees may not refer their friends, family, and neighbors who live with disabilities to your health care center.
How to be ADA compliant
Ensure that your health organization’s website is not excluding thousands of people living with disabilities.
Such disabilities may include hearing impairment, visual disorders, or other physical challenges. So, how will you ensure your site caters to such a group of individuals? Make sure that the website is:
Operable
Ensure that users can easily navigate your site and use all the features without any difficulty. Any user with disability should be able to use the main navigation of the website and other tools.
Perceivable
All users who visit your website should be able to perceive all the information on the site such as the texts, videos, and images. You should also provide alternatives in case there are some who cannot see or listen to your videos.
Understandable
Make sure all the information on your website is easily understandable at first glance. The pictures, videos, texts, and tools that you put must be sensible and relevant to all kinds of people.
Robust
An ADA website is rich with tools that may help differently disabled people. It must also ensure that they all get the same experience and information. This means that people reading the text and looking at images will receive the same amount of content as those who are using a voice reader.
Other important ADA compliance factors to consider on your website are:
- Captions Ensure that all the videos on the site have captions so that users who are hearing impaired can also understand the video content.
- Audio descriptions Provide audio descriptions for all of the content on your page. An easy way for users to find this is by adding a link next to the content.
- Images Use descriptive images if possible. These images will let the user know what the text is about before reading it.
- Headings and labels Your website should have headings and labels for all the content available. Use descriptive and simple labels for the site. Avoid complex language that may confuse or mislead the users.
- Text resizing Ensure that users are able to resize the text up to 200% easily without requiring any additional form of technology. The process of resizing must be easy and should not lead to any loss of content or cause problems with the site’s functionality. Resizing of images of texts and captions are not part of ADA compliance.
- Contrast Your site should have a contrast ratio of at least 4:5:1 for all texts and images of texts. This, however, does not necessarily apply to large texts, images of large texts, or logotypes.
- Sign language The videos that you post on your website must also have a minimized screen of a sign language translator at the bottom left or right of the video. This will help those who cannot hear or speak to understand more about the video. Now that you know all about having an ADA website, you can hire a web design agency like Solution21 to make the necessary adjustments on your website.
The Solution
Solution21, Inc. is the premier provider of website development and Internet marketing solutions designed for healthcare professionals including dentists, dental specialists, cosmetic surgeons, chiropractors, dental labs, med spas and other healthcare professionals.
Our unique team of digital marketing experts, seasoned software designers and developers will place you on Google’s radar. Exceptional personalized service, competitive packages and increased lead generation are the hallmark of Solution21.
