Best Examples of ADA Compliant Websites in 2023

Attaining website accessibility is important. Not only does it protect you from litigation, but it also helps you promote inclusivity.

However, the available guidelines and rapidly increasing lawsuits may make attaining website accessibility a little overwhelming and daunting. 

Fortunately, it’s not an impossible task. 

Many websites are fully ADA compliant, and yours can be too!

Want to know more about ADA compliance for websites? Visit our guide.

In today’s article, we’ll show you some of the best examples of ADA-compliant websites and what they have in common.

You can also check the status of your website’s accessibility.

Busting Myths Related to ADA Compliant Websites

Web accessibility isn’t a new concept. However, there are a lot of myths and misunderstandings that persist about what it entails.

These include its importance for individual businesses, its benefits, and how easy it is to attain. Let’s look at some other website accessibility myths:

Myth: An accessible website is not visually appealing.

That’s not true! You can attain both accessibility and visual appeal by carefully designing your website.

What you have to remember is that accessibility doesn’t focus on how visually appealing a website is. While this was the case during the early years of the internet, times have changed.

In the current digital landscape, creating an aesthetic and accessible website is possible. We’re now able to design websites that are easy to use, even for the most visually impaired.

Additionally, remember that your visitors will be impressed by your website’s accessibility, not your site’s looks. 

Myth: The functionality of a website gets compromised when it is designed for accessibility.

Contrary to popular belief, an accessible website can be fully functional. You can create beautiful, functional, and accessible websites using a set of different parameters.

This myth stems from the notion that creating an accessible website is very complex. However, building an accessible website and having full functionality are not mutually exclusive.

You can achieve both functionality and accessibility simultaneously with the help of accessibility plugins and widgets.

The Top ADA Compliant Websites

If you’re looking for ADA-compliant websites that are functional and visually pleasing, we’ve got you covered. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at some examples of an ADA-compliant website.

Websites Using accessiBe

accessiBe is another tool that website owners can use to achieve website accessibility.

accessiBe is an automated accessibility solution that helps you meet ADA and WCAG compliance standards. Its services are also compatible with screen readers and keyboard navigation.

Some of the websites that use accessiBe include Oreo, Lakers store, British airways and many more.

✅ Lakers Store

✅ Us.tommy

Common Features Among ADA Compliant Websites

Now that you’ve seen examples of ADA-compliant compliant websites, it’s time to dive deeper into their features. 

If you look closely, you will observe a few common features in all the ADA-compliant websites.

1) Color contrast ratio

A huge problem for people with visual impairments is that they can’t read the text without a high background contrast. For example, if a logo is embedded within an image, it may be impossible to read.

Additionally, colors are important for users with colorblindness. Thus, you must keep interaction simple and engaging for users who can’t differentiate between colors.

According to the WCAG, the regular text on websites should have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 with the background or adjacent colors.

Lastly, go beyond using colors alone to convey information or instructions. Use Audio eye design tactics to help users easily identify elements in your website.

2) Consistent navigation

Whether driving to work or a specific destination, we depend on consistent signage – speed limit signs, warning signs, and stop signs. If you need to know how to get from A to B, these guideposts will make your life easier.

And just like driving, websites have navigation that helps users get from point A to point B.

You should care for your users by providing easy navigation, such as site search and sitemaps. Make sure that your labels, styles, and positions are consistent.

3) Simple headings and spacing

Good design helps users recognize your hierarchy of information. It also ensures users understand the relationship between headlines and your site’s elements, including text and images.

Content is also more accessible when using heading styles, white space, and placing elements strategically to reduce clutter. Additionally, ensure that the HTML tags for headings are hierarchical too. The headings on Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union are a good example, as they effectively show the hierarchy of the site’s content.

4) Provide alternative text

Creating and delivering a pleasing visual experience is crucial for online businesses. Because of this, businesses use videos and images to enhance their content.

However, many online users are visually impaired and use screen readers to help them access online content and services. This is where the alternative text  and transcripts come in. This enables the screen readers to present the content in an auditory format to the visually impaired users.

5) Adaptability for different devices

Google rewards websites for mobile-optimized design, but that doesn’t mean you should leave out desktop and other platforms. For narrow views, display primary content in one or two columns, and offer secondary content through icons and links.

KissMyKeto effectively uses this capability, as viewing the website on a mobile device differs from viewing it on a desktop. 

6) Empower users

Carousels are a visually engaging way to display text and images online. However, visually-impaired users experience difficulties with scrolling content.

Accessible scrolling can be seen on the Lakers Store. It allows users to control and pause the scrolling header manually.

7) Offer alternatives for consuming media

Transcripts of audio and video content are more engaging for users with hearing or visual disabilities. You can also provide different formats for your transcripts.

This is a simple way to make your content accessible to people with disabilities. Additionally, accessing the audio transcript of a video or an audio description of a table should be easy.

8) Keep updating your website every 3 months   

The required accommodations for disabled users keep evolving. With this, accessibility guidelines and standards change too.

That said, you must remain updated with the latest guidelines and update your website regularly. This way, you can maintain an accessible website for all.

How to Get These Accessibility Features on Your Site

Maintaining an accessible and ADA-compliant website is easy. But this is only true if you’re knowledgeable and have the right tools and resources.

If you want to make your website ADA compliant, here are some steps you can take:

• Study these examples of websites thoroughly.

The examples we’ve provided above are the best examples of an ADA-compliant website. You can also look for other examples and apply what you learn to your website.

• Take inspiration.

ADA-compliant websites are all over the internet. That said, you should make these sites your inspiration for building an accessible website.

• Consult an accessibility agency.

Accessibility agencies offer services that help you build an accessible website for all. Generally, these agencies offer audits and remediation.

• Utilize widgets and plugins.

Widgets and plugins help you maintain an accessible website easily. They can help you personalize your site’s content and elements, ensuring your users get the best possible experience. You can utilize accessible forms to make sure every user has access to the online forms you place on your website

Summary

In the current digital era, website accessibility should be a priority for everyone.

The websites we’ve shared above are just some of the prime examples of ADA-compliant websites. If you want to make your website accessible, draw inspiration from these web pages.

Of course, you can always do your research and consider more examples to get inspired. 

If you  find this article helpful, check these articles below:

• How to Make Your Website Accessible and ADA Compliant
• ADA Compliance and Web Accessibility: Basics
• Are websites covered under the ADA?

Find out where you stand on your web accessibility journey by conducting an audit of your website

Frequently Asked Questions