As the world goes online, it’s becoming increasingly important for organizations to create The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant dashboards. The companies that take this to heart and understand the importance of accessibility will build a reputation that revolves around inclusivity, especially for clients with disabilities. This guide examines eleven key elements and best practices for designing dashboards that meet ADA standards. It highlights the importance of accessible design and the legal implications of non-compliance.
11 Ways to Provide an ADA-Certified Dashboard
It’s never been more critical to develop an ADA-compliant dashboard. Company websites with this element ensure equal access to digital content for all users, including those with disabilities.
This comprehensive list provides eleven essential items and detailed guidance for meeting ADA requirements, emphasizing the need for accessible design and legal compliance.
1. Understand the Legal Requirements
The ADA states that public accommodations must be made to serve people of all abilities, including websites and digital services. However, the ADA doesn’t explicitly state that websites are public places. However, the US Department of Justice does make this explicit legal distinction. It states that this is a legal condition all businesses must meet to stay compliant and avoid potential lawsuits.
2. Why Website Accessibility Matters
With approximately 1.5 billion people (United Nations statistics) living with some disability across the globe, making websites accessible helps to bridge the divide that many people with disabilities tend to experience, as so much of the world is designed for those without a disability.
Websites and content that aren’t accessible create a barrier for those with disabilities, much like buildings that lack proper ramps or accessibility options. Examples of accessibility can include individuals who are blind and who may need to use screen readers to navigate websites, while those who are deaf rely on captions to understand video content.
3. ADA Compliance and Web Design
Established in 1990, the ADA is a civil rights law that guarantees equal opportunities and access to services, public accommodations, and employment for people with disabilities. This law focuses on businesses and organizations for the public, such as private employers, state and local governments, and commercial facilities.
Over the last several years, this law has expanded to cover the digital space, including websites, mobile applications, and other digital content. The ADA Title III states that firms considered “public accommodations” must make their digital domains accessible to the disability community.
4. Conformance to WCAG
Most US courts consider Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 the gold standard for website compliance. This in-depth set of guidelines by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is considered the most crucial web accessibility standard. To be considered accessible under the ADA, all websites must conform to WCAG 2.0 Level AA at the bare minimum.
The WCAG explicitly outlines all website design companies’ requirements regarding website design, development, and content creation. These rules encompass several accessibility issues, including color contrast, text size, and keyboard accessibility.
WCAG 2.0 and 2.1 both offer three levels of conformance, keep reading to learn more:
- Level A (Basic Accessibility): This foundational level encompasses all critical and essential web accessibility features; remember that it includes basic criteria but doesn’t necessarily include the many other barriers for users with disabilities.
- Level AA (Standard Accessibility): This standard level covers all recommended compliance levels for most websites and targets a range of accessibility challenges. It strikes an ideal balance between accessibility and practical implementation, ensuring that key barriers are removed without requiring extensive modifications.
- Level AAA (Advanced Accessibility): This advanced level is the highest accessibility standard, zeroing in on the more complex needs of specific projects. It’s not unusual for this more comprehensive level to require additional design efforts in cases where an organization’s specific projects look to deliver an exceptional level of accessibility.
5. The Importance of ADA-Compliant Web Design
In reality, maintaining compliance with the ADA is not just a legal obligation but also a moral imperative. Regardless of ability, everyone deserves equitable access to digital resources and websites worldwide. The truth is that non-compliance can impact a business significantly, with legal actions taken against it, such as ADA compliance demand letters and lawsuits, and harm the reputation of businesses.
6. Implement Accessible Design Practices
When it comes to developing a website that is ADA-compliant and conforms to WCAG standards, there are many factors to consider, which include:
- Adding Alt Text: Provide image text descriptions, allowing screen readers to convey the content to visually impaired users.
- Using Proper Color Contrast: Ensure text and background colors have sufficient contrast to be distinguishable.
- Avoiding Information Exclusively Through Color: Use text or symbols in addition to color cues.
- Using Readable and Legible Fonts: Avoid complex fonts that may be difficult for some users to read.
- Providing Clear and Consistent Navigation: Maintain consistent layouts and navigation systems across the site.
- Designing for Different Viewport Sizes: Ensure the website is accessible on various devices, including smartphones and tablets.
- Avoiding Content That Can Induce Seizures: Do not use flashing lights or patterns.
7. Specific Accessibility Features to Consider
Now, when it comes to creating an accessible dashboard, there are certain elements to consider, including the following:
- Ensure dashboard objects are in a logical order for screen readers.
- Include properly labeled elements that are accessible via keyboard.
- Use high-contrast color schemes, making images more accessible to read and understand.
- Simplify graphics and limit the number of marks in a view.
- Ensure dashboards are embedded in WCAG-compliant web pages and turn off web editing for accessibility.
8. Use of Accessibility Tools and Testing
Periodically, it’s a good idea to continuously test out your ADA-certified dashboard with help from tools like WCAG compliance checkers and manual testing methods, such as screen readers. These specialized tools will help ensure any potential problems are located and resolved, ensuring ongoing compliance even as the technology evolves.
9. Training and Awareness
One of the best ways to stay compliant and ensure your website and digital assets are ADA-friendly for all users is to educate members who create these assets. Training sessions should include assistive technologies, disability etiquette, and the importance of inclusive design. Additionally, it’s essential to create clear and comprehensive documentation to help maintain accessibility standards.
10. Inclusive User Experience
Regarding the design phase, always remember that an inclusive user experience means ensuring all users can access and use the dashboard regardless of abilities. Along with that, it’s critical to ensure that interactive elements like forms and charts are accessible using tools like screen readers and keyboard navigation.
11. Documentation and Legal Considerations
While there is no official version of any ADA documentation, it’s a good idea to have company-owned documentation that showcases the organization’s efforts toward staying compliant and an ongoing commitment to accessibility. This paperwork can be a game-changer in case of any unforeseen legal issues, providing proof of a company-wide proactive approach to accessibility.
Final Thoughts
With these guidelines in your back pocket, you can now ensure that you develop an ADA-certified dashboard that’s entirely accessible, inclusive, and user-friendly. In the long run, this approach will help enhance your website’s overall user experience, promote an inclusive digital environment, and avoid any legal risks that can pop up from time to time.
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