Creating an accessible website is not just about meeting legal requirements—it’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can interact with your digital content. If your recent ADA compliance audit revealed gaps in accessibility, it’s time to move from analysis to action. This guide will help you interpret your audit results and implement effective fixes.

Understanding Your Audit Results

Before diving into remediation, it’s essential to understand the findings of your audit.

Interpreting Compliance Findings

Website ADA audit reports often categorize issues based on WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards.

Familiarize yourself with the four principles of accessibility known by the acronym POUR: 

  • Perceivable: All content must be available in formats that users can recognize with their senses, such as providing text descriptions for images or captions for videos.
  • Operable: Every feature of the website must be usable through multiple input methods, ensuring users can navigate and interact regardless of whether they use a mouse, keyboard, or assistive device.
  • Understandable: Content and navigation must be clear and predictable, with straightforward instructions and consistent behavior throughout the site.
  • Robust: Code must be properly structured and standards-compliant to ensure reliable interpretation by current and future technologies, including screen readers and other assistive tools.

Categorizing Issues

Not all issues carry the same weight. Group findings into categories such as navigation, content structure, and media accessibility to streamline your approach.

Assessing Impact Levels

Prioritize issues based on their severity and impact on user experience. For example, missing alt text on images might be less urgent than inaccessible navigation menus.

Common Compliance Issues and Solutions

Some accessibility barriers are more common than others. Here’s how to address them effectively:

Navigation Accessibility Fixes

  • Ensure all interactive elements are keyboard-navigable.
  • Add ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) labels for better screen reader compatibility.

Content Structure Solutions

  • Use proper heading levels (H1, H2, etc.) for a logical content hierarchy.
  • Avoid using tables for layout purposes; reserve them for data presentation.

Media Accessibility Remediation

  • Provide captions for videos and transcripts for audio content.
  • Use descriptive alt text for images that convey essential information.

Implementing Fixes Effectively

Once you’ve identified issues, it’s time to plan and execute solutions.

Prioritizing Remediation Tasks

Focus on high-impact fixes first, such as improving navigation or making forms accessible. Address less critical issues later to maintain momentum.

Resource Allocation

Determine whether you’ll use in-house resources or external experts for remediation. Accessibility consultants can provide specialized knowledge and ensure compliance.

Implementation Best Practices

Test changes incrementally to avoid introducing new issues. Use version control systems to track updates and roll back if needed.

Verifying and Testing Solutions

After implementing fixes, verification is crucial to ensure compliance.

Quality Assurance Methods

Use automated tools like Axe or WAVE for a quick compliance check. These tools can identify errors but should be supplemented with manual testing.

User Testing Approaches

Engage individuals with disabilities to test your website’s usability. Their feedback is invaluable in identifying real-world barriers.

Compliance Validation

Use an automated audit process to cross-check fixes against WCAG criteria to confirm that all issues have been resolved satisfactorily.

Maintaining Website ADA Compliance

Accessibility is not a one-time effort—it requires ongoing attention.

Prevention Strategies

Incorporate accessibility into your design and development processes from the start. Train your team on best practices to avoid recurring issues.

Monitoring Methods

Regularly audit your website using automated tools and manual reviews. Set reminders for periodic checks to stay ahead of potential problems. 

We recommend monthly checks for regular content publishers, and more frequent checks for organizations that have a higher publishing cadence.

Continuous Improvement

Accessibility standards evolve over time. Stay informed about updates to WCAG guidelines and adapt accordingly.

Simple Fixes for ADA Website Compliance

Fixing ADA compliance issues is a journey toward inclusivity and better user experiences. By interpreting audit findings, prioritizing fixes, and maintaining compliance, you ensure that your website is accessible to all users while mitigating legal risks. Start taking action today—your audience will thank you.

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