How to Audit Your Website for ADA Compliance

Digital accessibility is a legal necessity and a moral obligation. Conducting an ADA compliance audit helps ensure your website meets ADA legal requirements for websites and is usable by people with disabilities. An audit identifies issues, evaluates your site against WCAG guidelines, and provides a roadmap for remediation.

An ADA website compliance audit isn’t just about avoiding lawsuits; it’s also about expanding your audience and improving user experience. Accessible websites perform better in search rankings, enhance usability, and ensure you’re not excluding anyone from engaging with your content.

Why an ADA Compliance Audit Matters

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses to provide equal access to goods and services. Courts now interpret websites as “public accommodations,” making website accessibility audits essential. Non-compliance can lead to lawsuits, financial penalties, and reputational harm.

Proactively running an accessibility audit ensures you align with website accessibility standards and stay ahead of evolving legal expectations. More importantly, it shows your commitment to inclusivity and equal access.

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Tools for Website Accessibility Testing

There are many website accessibility testing tools available to assist with audits. Automated tools like WAVE, Axe, and Lighthouse can quickly identify common ADA compliance issues such as missing alt text, poor contrast, or improper heading structure.

However, automated tools only catch 30–40% of issues. A full ADA compliance audit also requires manual testing, including using screen readers, checking keyboard navigation, and reviewing multimedia accessibility. Combining tools and human testing gives the most accurate results.

Building an ADA Compliance Checklist

An ADA compliance checklist provides structure to the audit process. Typical items include:

  • Adding alternative text for all images.

  • Providing captions and transcripts for videos.

  • Ensuring keyboard-only navigation.

  • Using accessible forms and labels.

  • Maintaining proper color contrast.

Following this checklist ensures you’re addressing the most critical elements of website accessibility standards.

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What to Look for During an Audit

When performing a website accessibility audit, key areas to review include:

  1. Alt text – Every meaningful image should have descriptive text.

  2. Color contrast – Text should be readable against backgrounds, meeting WCAG contrast ratios.

  3. Keyboard navigation – All functions should be accessible without a mouse.

  4. Forms – Fields must have labels and error messages.

  5. Headings – Proper use of H1, H2, and H3 for logical structure.

These steps form the backbone of how to make website ADA compliant.

Multimedia and Content Accessibility

Don’t overlook accessible multimedia content. Videos must include captions, audio descriptions, and transcripts. Podcasts and audio clips should have text transcripts. Following these rules helps you meet both WCAG guidelines and ADA legal requirements for websites.

Accessible content benefits not only users with disabilities but also improves SEO, since search engines can index captions and transcripts.

Testing with Assistive Technology

Part of any thorough ADA compliance audit is testing with assistive technology. Screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver simulate the experience of blind or visually impaired users. Similarly, testing with keyboard-only navigation ensures users with motor impairments can interact with your site.

Including these steps in your audit ensures you uncover common ADA compliance issues that automated tools might miss.

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Ongoing Accessibility Monitoring

A single audit isn’t enough. Websites change frequently, and new accessibility issues may arise with updates. Establishing ongoing website accessibility audits and monitoring practices ensures continuous compliance.

Businesses should schedule regular scans, conduct quarterly reviews, and re-test after major redesigns. Accessibility is a process, not a one-time project.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Ignoring accessibility has consequences. Penalties for non compliance ADA often come in the form of lawsuits, settlements, and costly remediation. Thousands of businesses, from small shops to large corporations, have faced legal challenges due to inaccessible websites.

The cost of an ADA website compliance audit and remediation is significantly lower than defending an ADA website lawsuit. Proactive compliance saves time, money, and reputation.

Conclusion

Conducting an ADA compliance audit is the first step toward true inclusivity. By using website accessibility testing tools, following an ADA compliance checklist, and focusing on critical areas like alt text, color contrast, and keyboard navigation, you’ll ensure alignment with WCAG guidelines and ADA legal requirements for websites.

Remember: accessibility is ongoing. With regular audits, updates, and testing, you can maintain ADA website compliance, avoid legal risks, and create a digital experience that serves everyone.

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