What ADA Website Compliance Means

The Americans with Disabilities Act protects people with disabilities from discrimination. Over time, courts have ruled that websites are also covered by the ADA, because they are part of doing business with the public.

This means your website needs to work for people who have vision, hearing, mobility, or learning challenges. To help businesses know what to do, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) were created. These standards give clear steps for making sites usable for everyone.

Examples of compliance include:

• Writing alt text for images so screen readers can describe them
• Adding captions to videos for people who cannot hear the audio
• Designing navigation that works with only a keyboard
• Using clear fonts and high-contrast colors so text is easy to read

These small details make a big difference for visitors who might otherwise struggle to use your site.

Why Accessibility Matters for Small Businesses

Accessibility is not only about avoiding lawsuits. It also helps your business grow in practical ways.

It brings in more customers.About one in four adults in the United States lives with some form of disability. If your site is not accessible, you may be shutting out a large group of people who want to engage with your products or services.

It supports search engine optimization.Google and other search engines value websites that are well structured and easy to read. Features like alt text, headings in the right order, and descriptive links help both people and search engines understand your content. That can raise your rankings and bring in more traffic.

It lowers legal risk. Lawsuits over inaccessible websites have increased in recent years, and small businesses are no longer ignored. Website compliance reduces the chance of facing costly legal issues later.

It improves your reputation. Customers notice when businesses take inclusivity seriously. A website that works for everyone shows that you value all customers equally. That builds trust and loyalty.

Practical Tips for Website Accessibility

Improving accessibility may sound complex, but you can start with simple steps.

Make navigation easy. Menus and links should be clear and consistent across your site. Avoid vague words like “click here” and use descriptive text instead.

Focus on images and video.Every important image should have alt text that explains what it shows. Videos should always include captions, and transcripts are even better. Decorative images should be marked so screen readers skip them.

Use clear and readable text.Pick fonts that are easy to read. Make sure there is enough contrast between text and background so people with low vision can see it clearly. Keep sentences and paragraphs short and straightforward.

Design accessible forms.Each field in a form should have a label and clear instructions. Error messages should be easy to understand. Always test forms with a screen reader.

Support keyboard users.Your site should work for people who cannot use a mouse. Make sure every feature can be reached with keyboard commands. Add “skip to main content” links so users do not have to go through the same menu repeatedly.

How THL Helps Small Businesses

Small business owners often wear many hats. Handling accessibility on top of everything else can feel overwhelming. That is where THL comes in.

We provide detailed accessibility audits that show exactly where your site falls short. After that, we offer remediation services, which means updating code, design, and content to meet WCAG standards. We also provide ongoing monitoring, so your site stays compliant as guidelines evolve and as you add new content.

Why Accessibility Is Good Business

Making your website accessible is not just about following the law. It is about growing your business in smart ways. An accessible site works for more people, shows up better in search results, reduces your risk of lawsuits, and improves your reputation.

It also improves the experience for everyone. Clearer navigation, better readability, and easier forms make life simpler for all users, not just those with disabilities.

Accessibility is an ongoing commitment. Your site will need regular checks and updates to stay compliant. Businesses that act now will be stronger and more competitive in the future.

Next Steps for Business Owners

If your website has never been tested for accessibility, now is the time to act. Start with an audit, fix the most important issues, and set up a plan for regular updates.

THL is here to help. From audits and remediation to training and monitoring, our services make accessibility achievable for small businesses.

Work with THL today to make sure your website meets ADA standards, protects your business, and serves every customer equally.