ADA Compliance and You: Making the Web Accessible for All

At Healthcraft Creative Solutions, we believe the web should work for everyone. That means ensuring that digital experiences are accessible to users of all abilities, whether they’re navigating with a keyboard, using a screen reader, or relying on high-contrast visuals to digest your content.

Whether you're managing a healthcare platform, building a nonprofit site, or running a digital storefront, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance helps you reach more people, improve user experience, and avoid legal risks. And we're here to help you get there.

What Does ADA Compliance Mean for Websites?

While the ADA was originally written before the rise of the internet, the Department of Justice has consistently interpreted it to apply to websites as well. Essentially, if your website serves the public (especially in sectors like healthcare, education, and retail), it needs to be accessible to users with disabilities.

The best way to meet that standard is by aligning your site with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These globally recognized guidelines outline how to make digital content more usable for everyone, regardless of their abilities or the technologies they use.

The Four Pillars of Web Accessibility

At the heart of WCAG are four foundational principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust—often referred to as the POUR model. These aren’t just technical criteria; they’re practical concepts that can guide better, more inclusive digital design.

Perceivable – All users must be able to access and interpret information. This includes proper use of alt text, clear contrast, and screen reader support.

Operable – Users must be able to interact with and navigate a site using various input methods, including keyboard-only navigation.

Understandable – Information should be clear, with intuitive navigation, labels, and language that guide the user through forms, menus, and content.

Robust – Websites must work across browsers, platforms, and assistive technologies now and in the future.

What the DOJ Says About Website Accessibility

In March 2022, the Department of Justice issued guidance reinforcing the ADA’s application to websites, followed by new requirements for state and local governments in April 2024. The bottom line: if your organization serves the public (whether you're a business, government agency, or nonprofit), your website must be accessible.

Why This Matters

Inaccessible websites can exclude people just as much as a building without a ramp. And with the rapid shift of essential services online (like booking appointments, applying for benefits, registering for classes, or accessing health information), this exclusion can significantly impact daily life.

For example:

• People who are blind may use screen readers that convert text to speech.

• People who are deaf or hard of hearing may rely on captioning to understand video content.

• People with mobility impairments may use voice commands or keyboard navigation rather than a mouse.

If your site isn’t built to support all users, you're not just limiting access; you're potentially violating the ADA.

Common Web Accessibility Barriers

According to the DOJ, here are some of the most frequent issues:

• Poor color contrast can make text unreadable for users with low vision.

• Using color alone to convey information, as screen readers can’t interpret colors.

• Missing alt text on images, which screen readers need to provide content to blind users.

• Lack of video captions excludes those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

• Inaccessible forms that don’t have proper labels, instructions, or error alerts.

• Mouse-only navigation locks out users who rely on keyboard-only access.

Designing with Older Adults in Mind

Accessibility is about designing digital spaces that work for everyone, including the growing population of older adults. Today, more than 1 billion people worldwide are over the age of 60. Many of them are active, tech-savvy, and digitally connected, but that doesn’t mean they don’t face usability challenges. 

An article from Smashing Magazine highlights the importance of creating inclusive experiences that empower older users without relying on stereotypes or oversimplification.

Practical Considerations for Designing for Older Adults:

• Avoid disappearing messages. Older adults often prefer to read carefully and at their own pace. Let users dismiss messages manually.

• Use larger tap areas and avoid fine drag gestures. Motor precision may decline with age, so make interaction as easy as possible.

• Keep form design simple. Present one question per screen, use static labels, and include a “Back” button on every step.

• Ensure high contrast and readable color palettes. Combinations of blue/purple and yellow/green can be especially difficult to distinguish.

• Don’t rely on icons alone. Add descriptive text labels to icons to ensure clarity.

• Write helpful, non-blaming error messages. Many older users view error messages as personal failures, so be sure your prompts are reassuring and actionable.

Designing for older adults isn’t about dumbing things down. It’s about creating interfaces that help people feel confident, in control, and independent. And when you design with older adults in mind, you often improve the user experience for everyone. 

How Healthcraft Helps You Stay Compliant

At Healthcraft, our web design and development practices are grounded in accessibility from day one. We don’t just audit websites after the fact. We build with accessibility in mind from the start. Here’s how we help:

• Accessible Design and UX – Our team prioritizes readability, intuitive navigation, and compatibility with assistive tech.

• Ongoing Monitoring and Support – We help you maintain compliance as your site evolves.

• Training and Education – We equip your team to create and manage accessible content after a website has been launched.

Ready to Make Your Website Accessible?

Creating an accessible website isn’t just a legal box to check. It’s about recognizing the real people who rely on thoughtful design to access vital information. It’s about expanding your reach and showing that your organization cares about all users.

Accessible websites:

• Reach more users

• Perform better in search engines

• Reduce bounce rates

• Show your commitment to inclusion and equity

Whether you’re responding to new regulations or simply want to do right by your users, Healthcraft is here to help. Accessibility is at the core of what we do because the internet should be open to everyone.

Let’s make your website welcoming to all. Contact us today to get started.