The Importance of ADA Compliance for Your Website
UNDERSTANDING ADA COMPLIANCE
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a landmark piece of legislation that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. While it was originally designed to ensure physical accessibility in public spaces, it also extends to the digital world, as websites are considered places of public accommodation, as defined by the US Department of Justice. Achieving compliance means that your website is accessible to users with disabilities or impairments, such as those who use screen readers or other assistive technologies. This inclusivity not only reflects well on your business but also ensures that you are serving all potential customers equally.
Potential Penalties for Non-compliance
Failing to make your website accessible can lead to serious consequences. Businesses can face legal action from individuals who encounter barriers on their sites. These lawsuits can result in hefty fines and legal fees, which can be particularly damaging for smaller operations. Beyond the financial impact, there's also the damage to your reputation to consider, as being seen as non-inclusive can turn potential customers away, or damage your brand.
Benefits of Having an ADA Compliant Website
An ADA compliant website offers numerous benefits beyond avoiding legal trouble. Firstly, it improves the user experience for all visitors, making navigation easier and more intuitive. This often translates to longer visits and higher engagement rates. Additionally, search engines favor accessible websites, meaning your site is more likely to rank higher in search results. Finally, by being accessible to a wider audience, you tap into a broader customer base, including the millions of people with disabilities who are looking for businesses like yours.
HOW MCG CAN HELP
At MCG Strategic, we specialize in building engaging experiences, and have the processes in place to make websites ADA compliant efficiently and quickly. Our process begins with a comprehensive audit of your current website to identify any accessibility issues. From there, we implement the necessary changes, such as adjusting color contrasts, adding descriptive text for images, and ensuring your site is navigable with a keyboard or other specialized input devices. Our team works quickly and thoroughly to bring your website up to standard without disrupting your operations.
Ensuring your website is ADA compliant is not just about meeting legal requirements—it's about making your business accessible to everyone. You'll achieve a better user experience for all visitors, improve your search rankings, and open up access to a broader customer base. Accessibility isn't only smart business; it's the right thing to do.
Contact us today to see how MCG Strategic can help.
Joe McGarvey
joe.mcgarvey@mcgstrategic.com
https://mcgstrategic.com