How Do ADA Compatibility Checkers Work?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has been around for quite some time.

23:35 15 January 2021

Although it wasn’t written with the internet in mind, you will find that it definitely extends to the online world. If you have stumbled on this page in search of an ADA website checker, you have come to the right place. Today, we will help clear your doubts about the ADA and its application to the internet as well as how you can ensure that your website is adhering to ADA recommendations.

 

The ADA and the Internet

 

The ADA is composed of five main Titles. Of these five, two are definitely concerned with internet accessibility: Titles II and III. The rule of thumb is if your business falls under either of these two, then its website will also definitely be covered by the ADA.

 

And if you still harbor any doubts, you can even refer to a letter from the Department of Justice. The ADA does not mention the internet only because it was beyond the imaginings of people back in 1990. But it doesn’t take rocket science to figure out why the right to freely access the web is a right that should be enjoyed by all. 

 

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

 

Due to the sheer number of disabilities that must be addressed, however, it might be difficult to keep abreast of all the necessary details to be mindful of to be ADA compliant. Not to mention, that there are several pages that make up a website and all of these pages need to conform to the same standards.

 

Currently, the most complete and referred to standards for ease of access are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. Published by the World Wide Web Consortium, the WCAG 2.1 was globally recognized in June 2018. There is already a 2.2 version underway, but until this updated one is released, courts will continue to uphold WCAG 2.1.

 

ADA Website Checker

 

One only needs to look at the WCAG 2.1 once, though, to recognize how complex this might be for the layperson. This is where ADA website checkers are perfectly poised to assist in pursuing this endeavor. With an ADA website checker, all you’ll have to do is to input your web address and a report will be returned to you.

 

Today, it’s an essential service for any website administrator. The software will automatically check every line of code, text, and other media on your website and assess this based on the WCAG 2.1 recommendations. Your first step to complete ADA compliance will be accomplished in no time, compared to the countless hours you will have to face should you choose to tackle this ginormous task alone. 

 

If the trend for accessibility lawsuits holds, we can determine that we are only going to continue seeing more claims filed year on year. From 2017 to 2018 alone, there was a 177% increase in cases as reported by Seyfarth Shaw. Especially now in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can only expect that more people are going to turn to the internet to acquire their basic needs, from simple grocery items to online school classes.