At GLIDE, we are dedicated to crafting accessible and inclusive digital experiences through our adherence to our accessibility framework and industry best practices in website development. While we prioritize accessibility in our projects, it's important to note that the ultimate responsibility for developing and enforcing accessibility policies rests with your organization. While we offer guidance and support in achieving accessibility goals, we encourage clients to take proactive steps in ensuring ongoing compliance with accessibility standards and regulations within your organizations.
To help you with that, we’ve put together the legal information you need to know, as well as resources you can share with your stakeholders.
ADA: The ADA is the Americans with Disabilities Act, an American civil rights law passed in 1990. It’s America’s most important law regarding accessibility and civil rights for people with disabilities. In 2018, the DOJ clarified that the ADA covers web accessibility. It’s important to note that the ADA does not specify the criteria for a compliant website, yet today's industry standard is to adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG).
WCAG: The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is a massive guidebook that explains how accessible websites should look and operate for people with disabilities. While it is not stated in the ADA, the WCAG has been widely accepted as the industry standard for being ADA-compliant. The WCAG is a technical guidebook explaining how websites should look and operate for people with disabilities. So, by following the WCAG guidelines, you are making your website ADA-compliant.
Additional Resources:
Accessibility Statements: GLIDE maintains an accessibility statement for our own website, outlining our commitment to accessibility and providing information on the accessibility features implemented. We also recommend that clients reference the WCAG site in crafting their own accessibility statements, reflecting their dedication to inclusivity and compliance with accessibility standards.
Accessibility Framework: The GLIDE accessibility framework serves as a guiding principle in our website projects, aiming to achieve compliance with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.0 Level "A" standards as a minimum requirement. We advocate for the adoption of accessibility best practices throughout the design and development process, including:
Semantic HTML: Utilizing semantic HTML elements to ensure proper document structure and enhance screen reader compatibility.
Keyboard Navigation: Implementing keyboard navigation features to allow users to navigate the website without a mouse, catering to individuals with motor disabilities.
Alt Text for Images: Providing descriptive alt text for images to convey essential information to users who rely on screen readers.
Color Contrast: Ensuring sufficient color contrast between text and background elements to improve readability for users with visual impairments.
Accessible Forms: Designing forms with proper labels, placeholders, and error messages to facilitate form completion for users with cognitive or visual impairments.
Monitoring and Auditing: We recommend utilizing tools such as accessiBe to monitor website accessibility and perform regular audits to ensure ongoing compliance with accessibility standards. These audits help identify and address accessibility barriers, ensuring that websites remain inclusive and usable for all users.