Important Considerations on Website Accessibility. When you launch a new business or startup, one of the most exciting and creative tasks at hand, is that of building your very own website. You know the style and look that would favor your business and you think of including exciting features such as multi-media solutions, but one thing you should not neglect, is website accessibility.
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The Latest in Web Accessibility Regulations 2025
As of April 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice finalized a rule under Title II of the ADA, requiring state and local government websites and mobile apps to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards—covering essential features like keyboard navigation, alt text, captions, and color contrast.
Looking ahead, by May 2026 (or May 2027 for smaller entities), many federally funded programs under Section 504 will also need to comply with these same standards.
While Title III (which governs private businesses) does not yet have formal technical rules, courts and settlements increasingly reference WCAG 2.1 and the newer WCAG 2.2, released in late 2023.
There is also legislative momentum to extend digital accessibility laws to the private sector. A proposed bill—the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act of 2025—seeks to formalize accessibility requirements for all public-facing websites and apps.
Although the ADA doesn’t yet prescribe a universal technical standard, adopting WCAG 2.1 Level AA (or better) is widely recognized as best practice—not just to reduce legal risk, but to ensure your website is accessible to all users.
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The Law and Statistics on Website Accessibility in 2017
In January, 2017, the federal government showed signs of adopting a set of standards called the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA, but so far, the current administration has yet to put them into place. Courts have also been divided on the matter, with some stating that the American Disabilities Act (ADA), created to ensure that the disabled do not suffer discrimination, does apply to websites, and others deeming that it does not. Rather than waiting to see what lies ahead, however, it makes sense to opt for an access-for-all website from the word go.
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Why Accessibility?
In the United States, over 56 million people—about 1 in 5 Americans—live with a disability. These individuals navigate the web using screen readers, keyboard navigation, and other assistive technologies. Ensuring they have equal access to online information, tools, and services is not just a legal concern—it’s a matter of corporate responsibility and human equity.
Consider this: although very few visually impaired individuals hold advanced degrees, over 40% of them are actively employed. This underscores the importance of creating digital environments that are inclusive and empowering. When websites are inaccessible, it limits opportunities—not just for individuals, but for society as a whole.
By making your website accessible, you’re not only expanding your reach and audience, you’re also contributing to a more inclusive digital world. From an ethical standpoint, it’s the right thing to do. From a business perspective, it’s a smart investment.
And from a legal standpoint, it’s increasingly necessary. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is continuing to evolve, with new enforcement rules and stronger expectations on the horizon. Rather than waiting for regulations to catch up, forward-thinking organizations are choosing to build accessibility in from the start—avoiding costly retrofits and demonstrating leadership in their industry.
Where to Begin? Tools and Tips for Improving Accessibility
The WAVE Chrome Extension remains a valuable tool for quickly identifying accessibility issues on your website, such as missing alt text, contrast errors, or improper heading structure. For more comprehensive compliance, reviewing the latest WCAG 2.1 (or even WCAG 2.2, released in 2023) is essential. These guidelines outline the most up-to-date standards for accessibility, including requirements for mobile navigation, keyboard access, and visual clarity.
Given that a large portion of users access the web primarily through smartphones, it’s also critical to ensure your site is fully responsive and optimized for mobile devices. Accessibility and mobile usability now go hand in hand—impacting both user experience and your site’s legal and SEO standing.
The Specifics
Web accessibility involves having specific users in mind and catering content to them. For instance, the hearing impaired will benefit when you provide text alternatives for any content provided in video or sound – if you can, it would be fantastic to have sign language included in your videos. Many people with vision issues, meanwhile, use are screen readers, which provide a clear text alternative to images. Use an ALT tag so the readers can do their job. Text should be large, clear and uncluttered; preferably, use black text on a white or light hued background. Also, be sensitive to color blindness, avoiding the use of blue/green/yellow colors to denote different choices.
A third group to keep in mind are persons with epilepsy; use flashing imagery and saturated reds little or forego them altogether; any image that flashes over three times per second can actually trigger a seizure. Finally, keep those with cognitive impairments in mind; don’t make it hard on them by setting time limits on your content, always provide clear heading and subheadings and let them easily access the structure of your web, to make it easier to find that they are looking for.
Designing a truly accessible web page is a challenging goal, but one that is definitely achievable when you rely on the right team, take time to research into the needs of various disabilities, and make changes as you go along.
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