{"id":604,"date":"2021-02-03T07:42:37","date_gmt":"2021-02-03T07:42:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spritzsf.com\/spritzbits\/?p=604"},"modified":"2021-02-09T12:11:47","modified_gmt":"2021-02-09T12:11:47","slug":"is-your-website-ada-wcag-compliant-heres-a-quick-checklist-to-consider","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spritzsf.com\/spritzbits\/is-your-website-ada-wcag-compliant-heres-a-quick-checklist-to-consider\/","title":{"rendered":"Digitally Compliant: Making Website Design Accessible to All"},"content":{"rendered":"

It may be confusing to hear the word \u201caccessibility\u201d used when discussing website\u2014 rather than wheelchairs or guide dogs for the blind. Importantly, in the broadest sense, accessibility applies to the online world as well as the physical world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Website accessibility enhances your digital presence for everyone. It is a solution to address the needs of each visitor, allowing an individual to experience the best possible level of usability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Like any road or building, while providing an on-ramp and an open door for all users. It does so without sacrificing anything for users who don\u2019t need it. Like an automatic door that opens when your hands are full or a moving walkway at an airport terminal. It\u2019s a useful thing for everyone. Think of how restricted your understanding might be watching a foreign movie in a language you cannot understand. But without the benefit of English subtitles. Pointless, really.<\/span><\/p>\n

Did you know? An estimated 20 percent of the U.S. population has a disability of some sort.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Many people browsing the web have a permanent or a temporary disability across a wide range of possibilities. For example, there may be a visual or mobility issue affecting the use of the screen, the mouse, or the keyboard. There may also be accessibility issues around a broken arm or broken eyeglasses. <\/span>In the U.S., about eight percent of men and 0.5 percent of women have some form of colorblindness. <\/span>Looking across the entire population, there are common age-related issues as well that affect tens of millions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Did you know? Digital accessibility is also the law.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The <\/span>Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)<\/span><\/a> has a mandate for businesses under Title I; that is, those operating 20 or more weeks per year with at least 15 full-time employees or under Title III, that is, businesses classed in the public accommodation category. That said, it\u2019s best practice for all websites.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

\u2014 Sir Tim Berners-Lee, Computer scientist, and father of the World Wide Web<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

While the ADA doesn\u2019t offer a clear set of guidelines for website compliance, it has become industry practice to follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as recommended by The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). In August 2020, W3C released WCAG 2.2 a working draft.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We\u2019ve put together a few important factors to help make your website accessible:<\/strong><\/h2>\n