ADA Compliance Checklist for Businesses

Digital accessibility is no longer optional—it’s a legal and ethical necessity. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses to provide equal access to goods and services, including digital platforms. A structured ADA compliance checklist helps organizations avoid costly lawsuits while ensuring inclusive digital experiences.

Whether you’re a large corporation or managing ADA compliance for small business, this guide provides a step-by-step approach to meeting website accessibility standards. You’ll also get insights into industry-specific compliance tips and how to implement a downloadable PDF checklist for long-term accessibility success.

Why ADA Compliance Matters

The ADA legal requirements for websites apply across industries, from retail and healthcare to education and hospitality. Non-compliance can lead to lawsuits, reputational harm, and penalties. Thousands of businesses have faced legal challenges over inaccessible websites.

Beyond legal protection, improving accessibility boosts SEO, expands your audience, and improves overall usability. In other words, ADA website compliance is good for both compliance and business growth.

📊 Infographic Placeholder #1
Prompt for ChatGPT Image Gen:
"Create an infographic titled 'Why ADA Compliance Matters' with 3 icons: Legal protection (gavel), Inclusivity (users), Business growth (graph). Use modern flat icons in blue/green ADA theme."

Step 1: Conduct an ADA Accessibility Audit

The first step in any ADA compliance checklist is performing an ADA accessibility audit. This involves both automated scans and manual testing to uncover common ADA compliance issues. Tools like WAVE, Axe, and Lighthouse can identify missing alt text, contrast problems, and improper heading structures.

Pair automated scans with human testing using screen readers, keyboards, and assistive technology to capture issues tools may miss. A comprehensive audit is the foundation of how to make websites ADA compliant.

Step 2: Ensure Proper Text Alternatives

Every image, icon, or visual must include alt text. Without descriptive alternatives, screen readers cannot convey the meaning to visually impaired users. This is one of the most common website accessibility standards violations.

Fix: Provide clear, concise alt text that describes the image’s purpose. For decorative images, mark them as “null” so they don’t interfere with navigation.

Step 3: Improve Color Contrast

Text should be legible for all users, including those with low vision or color blindness. Poor contrast ratios between text and background are a frequent accessibility barrier.

Fix: Follow WCAG guidelines requiring at least a 4.5:1 ratio for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Adjust fonts, colors, and backgrounds to meet these standards.

📊 Infographic Placeholder #2
Prompt for ChatGPT Image Gen:
"Design an infographic titled 'ADA Compliance Checklist: Top 5 Items' showing icons for Alt Text, Color Contrast, Captions, Forms, Keyboard Navigation. Use a simple checklist layout with accessibility colors."

Step 4: Provide Accessible Multimedia

Videos, webinars, and audio files must include captions, transcripts, or audio descriptions to align with ADA compliance guidelines WCAG 2.2. Without these features, users with hearing or visual impairments cannot access critical content.

Fix: Add closed captions to videos, provide text transcripts for audio, and consider audio descriptions for key visuals. These practices also support SEO by making content indexable.

Step 5: Optimize Forms and Navigation

Forms without labels, instructions, or keyboard accessibility are common barriers. Similarly, menus that can’t be navigated without a mouse fail ADA website compliance.

Fix: Ensure all form fields are labeled, error messages are descriptive, and the tab order is logical. Menus should work with both mouse and keyboard input, with visible focus indicators.

Step 6: Use Proper Heading Structures

Heading tags (H1, H2, H3) provide logical structure for both users and assistive technologies. Skipping levels or using styling instead of semantic tags confuses navigation.

Fix: Use one H1 per page, with subsequent headings following a clear hierarchy. This aligns with website accessibility standards and improves readability.

📊 Infographic Placeholder #3
Prompt for ChatGPT Image Gen:
"Create an infographic titled 'Step-by-Step ADA Website Checklist' in 6 blocks: Audit, Alt Text, Color Contrast, Multimedia, Forms, Headings. Use numbered steps with icons for each."

Step 7: Test with Assistive Technologies

Testing your site with tools like NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver simulates the experience of users with disabilities. This is an essential step of any ADA accessibility audit.

Fix: Ensure your site works seamlessly with screen readers, magnifiers, and keyboard-only navigation. Combine this with real-world user testing when possible.

Step 8: Train Your Team

Even the most accessible site can slip into non-compliance if your team isn’t trained. Content creators, designers, and developers should understand ADA compliance guidelines WCAG 2.2 and their responsibilities.

Fix: Offer ongoing accessibility training, provide reference materials, and use the ADA compliance checklist as a shared resource.

Industry-Specific Compliance Tips

E-commerce: Ensure product images, descriptions, and checkout processes are accessible.
Healthcare: Patient portals and forms must meet ADA legal requirements for websites.
Education: Online courses need accessible PDFs, videos, and interactive tools.
Hospitality: Booking engines and maps should follow website accessibility standards.

Each sector has unique accessibility needs, but all benefit from a structured approach.

📊 Infographic Placeholder #4
Prompt for ChatGPT Image Gen:
"Design an infographic titled 'Industry-Specific ADA Compliance Tips' with 4 sections: E-commerce, Healthcare, Education, Hospitality. Use relevant icons (shopping cart, stethoscope, graduation cap, hotel)."

Step 9: Maintain Ongoing Monitoring

Accessibility is not a one-time project. Regularly schedule audits, especially after redesigns or content updates, to prevent common ADA compliance issues from returning.

Fix: Use automated monitoring tools paired with quarterly manual audits. This ensures long-term ADA website compliance.

Step 10: Provide a Public Accessibility Statement

An accessibility statement shows users your commitment to inclusivity and offers a way to report issues. This transparency can reduce the risk of complaints escalating into legal challenges.

Fix: Post the statement on your site, outlining compliance efforts, known gaps, and contact details.

Conclusion

Following an ADA compliance checklist is the best way for businesses to meet website accessibility standards, reduce legal risk, and build inclusive experiences. From audits and alt text to industry-specific tips, each step helps you get closer to full ADA website compliance.

For easy implementation, download our Step-by-Step ADA Compliance Checklist PDF to guide your team. Accessibility is a journey, and this checklist ensures your business stays on the right path.

‍