Whether you're launching your very first website to attract a new audience or refreshing outdated content that's due for an update, demonstrating your company's commitment to all members of your current and potential target audience is a key factor in boosting your business.
To create a user-friendly brand experience for individual visitors, consider the ADA regulations that are in place to enhance each consumer's ability to be educated about your company's mission, products and services.
Below, seven experts from Forbes Human Resources Council share their tips with leaders who want to ensure their business website is ADA-compliant to address the needs of people with disabilities, be they, potential customers or employees.
Forbes Human Resources Council members share their insights.
Photos courtesy of individual members.1. Bake ADA Standards Into The Company's DNA
Make workplace accessibility a priority and bake it into your company’s DNA. These principles will then carry through when building your website and intranet with individuals who are knowledgeable and experienced in Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and ADA compliance. The use of alternative text, appropriate colors and fonts are quick adjustments that will instantly improve and scale accessibility. - Tammy Harper, CAI
2. Make Keyboard Commands Available
In order to remain ADA compliant, employers should ensure their website is fully accessible using only a computer keyboard. Many people with disabilities who can’t use a mouse rely on the keyboard to navigate the internet, yet millions of websites require a mouse for full functionality. By assigning navigation commands to the keyboard, employers can ensure their website is accessible to everyone. - John Feldmann, Insperity
3. Use Alt Tags On Images And Web Links
Many overlook the importance of including alt tags when sharing images and links. Alt tags provide written descriptions of the media on the page and are key pieces of information for those accessing your site using a screen reader. For best results, be as descriptive as possible. For example, an alt tag like "woman drinking clean, filtered water from a glass" might help sell your water filters to a person with a disability better than "woman drinking from a glass." - Laura Spawn, Virtual Vocations, Inc.
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4. Make Content User Friendly On All Devices
Ensure that web content is easily perceivable through audio, video and text, and operable or easy to navigate with keyboard accessibility offerings and point-and-click options. Make content understandable, readable, predictable and robust by ensuring people are able to view the content on various devices. Meeting these standards allows more people to access the web content whether they are a person with vision, hearing, cognitive and language challenges or learning disabilities. - Brandy Marshall, Franklin Pierce School District
5. Ask Employees For Feedback
It's important to understand the experience. If you approach being ADA compliant simply with functionality and access, you may in fact exclude employees who are differently abled rather than include them. Speak to your employees who may need different access about what they would prefer and how they would design a space that is inclusive for all. - Cat Colella-Graham, Employee Experience Leader, Consultant
6. Include A Statement On Your Career Page
State on your career site that your organization is committed to providing reasonable ADA accommodations where needed in order to complete the hiring process and hire the most qualified candidate. Take this one step further in your job postings by stating the essential job functions that are necessary to succeed in the role. Address any additional questions during the recruitment process. - Jessica Adams, Brad's Deals
7. Be Aware Of Guideline Updates
According to the Bureau of Internet Accessibility (BoIA), the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are the industry standard used by technical professionals to ensure that a business website is accessible to all users. Business News Daily has information on the common areas to examine to ensure all users are able to access all content on a company’s website. - Sherry Martin, Government Administration
