Understanding Digital Accessibility Testing Services
Ensuring that websites are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, is not just a matter of ethical responsibility but also a legal requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Businesses must take proactive steps to make their digital platforms compliant to avoid lawsuits and provide meaningful access to all users. However, website owners often struggle to determine the best approach—whether to focus on technical compliance by strictly adhering to WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) or take a more practical route to minimize legal risks while improving accessibility.
This blog explores the two key approaches to ADA website compliance—technical and practical—and how Digital Accessibility Testing Services can help businesses strike the right balance.
Technical Compliance: Aiming for WCAG Conformance
Many organizations assume that achieving compliance means strictly following WCAG 2.1 AA or WCAG 2.2 AA guidelines. While these guidelines serve as a benchmark for accessibility, they are not explicitly required by law. Instead, the legal standard for ADA compliance is “meaningful access.” This means a website should be accessible enough for users with disabilities to navigate, engage with content, and perform essential tasks.
Despite this, plaintiffs’ lawyers often leverage WCAG conformance as a reference point when filing accessibility lawsuits. Even minor accessibility issues can be used against businesses in legal claims, making it costly to defend a non-conforming website.
To achieve technical compliance, the following structured approach is typically followed:
- Audit – Conducting an accessibility audit to identify barriers for users with disabilities.
- Remediation – Implementing fixes based on audit findings.
- Re-audit – Reassessing the website for improvements.
- Secondary remediation – Addressing any remaining issues.
- Review – Verifying compliance across web pages and user flows.
This process can take anywhere from a few months to a year, depending on the complexity of the website. While WCAG conformance ensures a high level of accessibility, the extended timeline leaves businesses exposed to legal risks in the interim.
Practical Compliance: Addressing High-Risk Issues First
Rather than focusing solely on WCAG conformance, a practical approach prioritizes fixing the most commonly cited accessibility issues in lawsuits. Plaintiffs’ lawyers frequently target specific accessibility barriers, making it essential for businesses to address these high-risk areas first.
The top three accessibility issues cited in lawsuits include:
- Missing alternative text – Images lacking descriptive text prevent screen readers from conveying essential content.
- Lack of keyboard navigability – Users who rely on keyboard navigation face barriers when interactive elements are not accessible.
- Missing form field labels – Forms without proper labels make it difficult for screen readers to communicate input requirements to users.
Interestingly, some of the issues commonly raised in lawsuits do not strictly map to WCAG success criteria. Additionally, certain claims are based on a misunderstanding of accessibility standards.
By addressing the most frequently cited issues first, businesses can significantly reduce their risk of lawsuits while improving accessibility. This approach ensures immediate protection while continuing to work towards full WCAG compliance over time.
Choosing the Right Approach for Your Business
Website owners need to decide on their compliance strategy based on their objectives and resources. There are two primary approaches to ADA compliance:
- The Formal Path: Full WCAG Conformance
- Ensures thorough accessibility compliance.
- Reduces the risk of future lawsuits.
- Requires significant time and resources for full implementation.
- The Informal Path: Prioritizing High-Risk Issues First
- Provides immediate risk reduction.
- Addresses the most common legal complaints.
- May leave some minor accessibility gaps initially.
While full WCAG conformance is the gold standard, businesses that need a fast solution should focus on mitigating their immediate legal risks first. Digital Accessibility Testing Services can help organizations assess their current compliance status, prioritize fixes, and develop a long-term strategy for maintaining an accessible website.
Conclusion: A Balanced Approach to Digital Accessibility
The best approach to ADA website compliance depends on a company’s risk tolerance and resources. A strict technical approach ensures robust accessibility but can be time-consuming and expensive. On the other hand, a practical approach helps businesses avoid lawsuits by addressing the most frequently cited accessibility issues while working towards full WCAG compliance.
Ultimately, the goal is to provide meaningful access to all users while minimizing legal exposure. Investing in Digital Accessibility Testing Services can help businesses navigate this complex landscape, ensuring that their websites are both legally compliant and user-friendly for individuals with disabilities.
