ADA Website Compliance in Layman’s Terms

ADA compliance ensures that your website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This not only broadens your audience but also helps you avoid potential legal issues.

No, all businesses, regardless of size, should strive for ADA Website Compliance to ensure accessibility for all users and to avoid potential legal issues.

Below is a plain-English, practical priority list of the most important WCAG website accessibility guidelines, ordered from most important to least important based on real-world impact, legal risk, and how badly users are affected when they’re missing.

⚠️ Important note:
WCAG itself does not officially rank ADA Website Compliance guidelines by importance. This list reflects industry practice, ADA enforcement patterns, and how essential each item is for users with disabilities to actually use a website.

1. Keyboard Accessibility (WCAG 2.1.1, 2.1.2)

If this fails, many people cannot use your site at all.

• In simple terms:
  Everything on the website must work without a mouse — using only the keyboard (Tab, Enter, arrows).
• Why it matters:
  People with motor disabilities, tremors, paralysis, or who use screen readers rely entirely on keyboards.

Examples of fixes:

• All buttons, links, menus, and forms work with the Tab key
• No “keyboard traps”
• Visible focus outline (you can see where you are)

2. Text Alternatives for Images (Alt Text) (WCAG 1.1.1)

This is the #1 most common ADA lawsuit issue.

• In simple terms:
  Images must have text descriptions so screen readers can explain them.
• Why it matters:
  Blind users can’t see images. Without alt text, important information is completely missing.

Examples of fixes:

• Logo: alt="BMS Brain Disorder Awareness Coalition logo"
• Decorative images: alt="" (so screen readers skip them)

3. Proper Headings & Page Structure (WCAG 1.3.1)

This is how screen reader users “scan” a page.

• In simple terms:
  Headings must be organized like an outline (Title → Section → Sub-section).
• Why it matters:
  Screen reader users jump through headings the way sighted users scan visually.

Examples of fixes:

• One clear <h1> per page
• Don’t skip levels (no <h1> → <h4> jumps)

4. Color Contrast (WCAG 1.4.3)

Text must be readable for people with low vision.

• In simple terms:
  Text must be dark enough against its background.
• Why it matters:
  Low contrast text is invisible to many users — even if they’re not “blind.”

Rules of thumb:

• Normal text: 4.5:1 contrast
• Large text: 3:1 contrast

5. Clear Link & Button Text (WCAG 2.4.4)

Users must know what a link does before clicking it.

• In simple terms:
  Links should say where they go.
• Bad: “Click here”
• Good: “Donate to support brain disorder research”
• Why it matters:
  Screen readers often read links out of context.

6. Form Labels & Instructions (WCAG 3.3.2)

Forms break accessibility more than almost anything else.

• In simple terms:
  Every form field must clearly say what it’s for.
• Why it matters:
  Screen reader users can’t guess what an empty input means.
• Examples of fixes:
  • Every input has a <label>
  • Error messages explain what went wrong

7. Skip Navigation Link (WCAG 2.4.1)

This saves users from repeating menus over and over.

• In simple terms:
  Provide a “Skip to main content” link at the top of the page.
• Why it matters:
  Keyboard and screen reader users don’t want to tab through the same menu every time.

8. Resizable Text & Zoom Support (WCAG 1.4.4)

Users must be able to enlarge text without breaking the site.

• In simple terms:
  The site should still work when text is zoomed to 200%.
• Why it matters:
  People with low vision often zoom text instead of using screen readers.

9. Accessible Navigation & Landmarks (WCAG 1.3.1, 2.4.1)

Helps users understand where they are on the page.

• In simple terms:
  Pages should be divided into clear sections like header, navigation, main content, and footer.
• Why it matters:
  Screen reader users jump directly to sections instead of scrolling.

10. Captions for Video & Audio (WCAG 1.2.2)

Critical if you publish media.

• In simple terms:
  Videos must have captions; audio needs transcripts.
• Why it matters:
  Deaf and hard-of-hearing users otherwise miss all content.

11. No Flashing or Seizure-Triggering Content (WCAG 2.3.1)

This is about physical safety.

• In simple terms:
  Nothing should flash rapidly.
• Why it matters:
  Flashing can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy.

12. Clear Language & Predictable Behavior (WCAG 3.2)

This helps users with cognitive disabilities.

• In simple terms:
  Don’t surprise users.
• Examples:
  • Links don’t open new tabs without warning
  • Buttons behave the way people expect

The Big Picture (Easy to Remember)

Think of WCAG like this:

• If users can’t navigate it, read it, understand it, or interact with it — it’s not accessible.
• The 4 WCAG Principles (POUR):

1. Perceivable – Can users see or hear it?
2. Operable – Can users use it?
3. Understandable – Does it make sense?
4. Robust – Does it work with assistive technology?

If You Only Fix 5 Things First

Do these in order:

1. Keyboard navigation
2. Alt text for images
3. Headings & structure
4. Color contrast
5. Form labels

You can check these issues with our ADA Website Scanner