Why Digital Accessibility Matters: What Organizations Need to Know About ADA Compliance
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 1 in 4 adults in the United States live with some kind of disability. In many cases, this will impact how they access digital content. Making digital content accessible, whether it’s digital ads, websites, social media posts, or something else, is important in ensuring equal access to information and opportunities.
If you’re a government agency, nonprofit organization, health care provider, educational institution or private business, ensuring that your digital content is accessible is the expectation in the current day and age. In fact, state and local governments with a total population of 50,000 or more will be required to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA by April of 2027. While the primary focus may be on websites, accessibility touches nearly every aspect of the way people communicate or receive services and information.
What Is Digital Accessibility?
Digital accessibility refers to the practice of designing and creating online content that can be accessed and used by people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. This includes the use of:
- Screen readers
- Keyboard navigation instead of a mouse
- Voice recognition software
- Captions and transcripts
- Magnification tools
- Other assistive technologies
The goal is simple. Ensuring that everyone can access information, complete tasks and engage with content regardless of ability.
Accessibility Goes Beyond Websites
When organizations think about ADA compliance, they often focus on their website. While websites are an important component, accessibility extends much further. Organizations should also consider:
- Use of plain language for copy and content
- Social media posts and graphics
- Videos and multimedia content
- PDFs and downloadable documents
- Email newsletters
- Online forms and applications
- Presentations and reports
- Mobile applications
A website may meet accessibility standards, but if a PDF cannot be read by a screen reader or a video lacks captions, barriers still exist for some users.
Why Accessibility Is Becoming More Important
Recent updates to federal accessibility requirements and increasing attention to digital inclusion have prompted many organizations to evaluate how well their online communications serve all users. Accessibility is also closely tied to user experience. Features such as clear navigation, descriptive headings, readable fonts and properly structured content often make digital experiences easier for everyone, not just those with disabilities.
Common Areas Organizations Overlook
Many accessibility issues are unintentional and can often be addressed through thoughtful planning and content development.
Some of the most common challenges include:
- Images without alternative text
- Videos without captions
- Poor color contrast
- Documents that are not screen-reader compatible
- Forms that cannot be completed using a keyboard
- Complex or unclear navigation
- Content that relies solely on color to convey information
- Identifying these issues early can save time and resources while creating a better experience for users.
Accessibility Benefits Everyone
While compliance is an important consideration, accessibility offers broader benefits as well. Accessible content can:
- Improve overall user experience
- Increase audience reach
- Enhance customer and community engagement
- Improve search engine optimization (SEO)
- Strengthen trust and credibility
- Demonstrate a commitment to inclusion
In many cases, accessibility improvements make information easier to understand and use for all audiences, regardless of ability.
Building Accessibility into Communications
The most effective approach to accessibility is to make it a part of the planning process rather than treating it as a final review step. When accessibility is considered from the beginning, organizations are better positioned to serve their audiences and meet evolving expectations. AFFIRM Agency’s digital experts are well versed with incorporating accessibility standards across digital platforms, and we can help you with bringing your marketing materials and communications into the current day. Start the conversation by reaching out to us through our website.
