Achieving Good Faith ADA Compliance with Free Software and Best Practices

Boost Your Website's Accessibility on a Budget

In the digital era, creating an accessible website is both a legal requirement and an ethical responsibility. Ensuring that your website complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows users with disabilities to access your content, helping you avoid legal issues and reach a wider audience. In this article, we'll explore how you can achieve at least 20% ADA compliance using free software, adding descriptive title tags to links, and incorporating alt tags for images. We'll also discuss the benefits of investing in paid ADA compliance software for those looking to take their website's accessibility to the next level.

Free Software for Basic ADA Compliance

Using this free script to achieve at least 20% ADA compliance is an excellent starting point for website owners who want to make their websites more accessible to users with disabilities. By implementing these scripts, you'll be taking the first step towards compliance, which can demonstrate a good faith effort in meeting ADA requirements. This can help reduce the risk of legal issues while improving the overall user experience for individuals with disabilities. Although a free script may not provide full compliance, it serves as a foundation for future improvements and highlights your commitment to making the digital space more inclusive for everyone.

<script>
      (function(d){
         var s = d.createElement("script");
         /* uncomment the following line to override default position*/
          s.setAttribute("data-position", 5);
         /* uncomment the following line to override default size (values: small, large)*/
         /* s.setAttribute("data-size", "large");*/
         /* uncomment the following line to override default language (e.g., fr, de, es, he, nl, etc.)*/
         /* s.setAttribute("data-language", "null");*/
         /* uncomment the following line to override color set via widget (e.g., #053f67)*/
         /* s.setAttribute("data-color", "#351fec");*/
         /* uncomment the following line to override type set via widget (1=person, 2=chair, 3=eye, 4=text)*/
         /* s.setAttribute("data-type", "1");*/
         /* s.setAttribute("data-statement_text:", "Our Accessibility Statement");*/
         /* s.setAttribute("data-statement_url", "http://www.example.com/accessibility";*/
         /* uncomment the following line to override support on mobile devices*/
         /* s.setAttribute("data-mobile", true);*/
         /* uncomment the following line to set custom trigger action for accessibility menu*/
         /* s.setAttribute("data-trigger", "triggerId")*/
         s.setAttribute("data-account", "dsreLnajzz");
         s.setAttribute("src", "https://cdn.userway.org/widget.js");
         (d.body || d.head).appendChild(s);})(document)
 </script>
<noscript>
Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of 
<a href="https://userway.org">website accessibility</a>
</noscript>

Adding Descriptive Title Tags to Links

Title tags play a crucial role in enhancing the accessibility of a website, as they provide additional context for users, particularly those who rely on screen readers. By including descriptive title tags on links, you help users with disabilities understand the purpose and destination of each link, enabling them to navigate your website more efficiently. To add title tags to links, simply include the 'title' attribute within the anchor element, like this: <a href="example.html" title="Example Page">Click here</a>. When crafting effective title tags, it's essential to be concise yet informative, accurately describing the link's destination and purpose. Avoid using vague phrases like "click here" or "read more" and opt for specific descriptions that convey the value and content of the linked page. By incorporating meaningful title tags into your website, you can significantly improve the accessibility and user experience for all visitors, regardless of their abilities.

Incorporating Alt Tags for Images

Alt tags are of paramount importance in ensuring accessibility, as they provide textual descriptions of images for users who cannot see them, particularly those who rely on screen readers. By incorporating alt tags, you make your website's visual content accessible to individuals with visual impairments, allowing them to understand the context and message conveyed by images. To add alt tags to images, include the 'alt' attribute within the image element, like this: <img src="example.jpg" alt="Example description">. When creating meaningful alt tags, it's crucial to be both descriptive and concise, accurately portraying the image's content and purpose. Avoid using overly generic descriptions or simply repeating the file name, and instead provide specific details that give screen reader users a clear understanding of the image. By incorporating well-crafted alt tags into your website, you significantly enhance its accessibility and create a more inclusive user experience for everyone.

Demonstrating Good Faith Efforts in ADA Compliance

Making a genuine effort to improve accessibility is not only an ethical responsibility but also a legal requirement under the ADA. By combining the use of free software, implementing title tags for links, and adding alt tags to images, website owners can demonstrate their commitment to creating a more inclusive online experience for all users, including those with disabilities. These good faith efforts can help mitigate legal risks associated with non-compliance while fostering a positive brand image. It is essential to recognize that accessibility is an ongoing process, requiring continuous improvements and updates to ensure that your website remains accessible as technology and user needs evolve. By proactively working towards enhancing your website's accessibility, you contribute to a more inclusive digital landscape and ensure that everyone can access and benefit from your content.

Investing in Paid ADA Compliance Software

Using paid accessibility software offers numerous advantages for website owners striving to make their sites more compliant with ADA requirements. These tools often provide comprehensive and automated solutions for identifying and resolving accessibility issues, saving time and effort compared to manual approaches. Popular ADA compliance tools, such as UserWay, accessiBe, and AudioEye, come with advanced features that enhance website navigation, ensure proper color contrast, and optimize multimedia content for users with disabilities. Upgrading to a paid solution should be considered when you're looking to achieve a higher level of compliance, reduce the risk of legal issues, or when your website's complexity makes manual adjustments challenging. By investing in paid accessibility software, you not only demonstrate your commitment to creating an inclusive online experience but also benefit from a more efficient and effective approach to meeting accessibility standards.

Getting ADA compliant does take some work. We can help you through the process.

While achieving full ADA compliance can be a complex process, utilizing free software and best practices like adding title tags to links and alt tags to images can demonstrate a good faith effort towards making your website more accessible. These techniques can help you achieve at least 20% compliance, providing a foundation for further improvements. For those looking to enhance their website's accessibility even further, investing in paid ADA compliance software can be a worthwhile decision that ultimately benefits all users. KLB Solutions LLC is happy to help you though this process. Contact us today for a free consultation.