An ADA compliant website is designed for everybody. It allows people with all disabilities to use a website in a way that works for them. One way to make sure a website works for those with disabilities is to work with it in the same way those with disabilities work with it. For example, site should be maneuverable without the use of a mouse. The importance of navigating and using a site without the use of a mouse is important because many assistive technologies rely on keyboard-only navigation. The most accessible website allows all of its major features to be accessible via a keyboard and nothing else.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires certain businesses to make accommodations for people with disabilities. This regulation applies to organizations and businesses that rely on the general public or for their benefit. Generally, all local schools, county, state, and federal government agencies. Websites should include web content that is accessible for blind, deaf and users who navigate by voice, screen readers or other assistive technologies.
ADA was designed before the Internet, its designers intentionally designed it to evolve. The notion of “places or public accommodation” is a core element of the law and a perfect example of its flexibility. As technology has evolved, we today find that websites and mobile apps are essential places to shop, learn, share, and connect, and thus protected by the ADA. But many are not clear about what the actual standards and requirements are for website ADA compliance.
The WCAG is an internationally recognized set of guidelines for digital accessibility. It was established and is managed by the international web standards group, the W3C. The WCAG is currently in version 2.1 and comes in 3 levels: A, AA, AA. The unset de facto standard in the US recognized by the DOJ, the courts, and advocates is the WCAG 2.0 A, AA. Version 2.1 emerged in 2018 and website owners are now being held to this standard. These are the requirements that virtually all demand letters, federal and state lawsuits, DOJ, and Dept of Education actions have called for. Regardless of how firm this standard may technically be, in practice, if you wish to avoid litigation and wish to make your website accessible, the working standard for digital accessibility in 2020 is WCAG 2.1 A, AA in the United States (and Canada).