Making the Web Friendly: Our Journey with ADA and Web Accessibility

What is ADA?

Have you ever heard of the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA for short? It's like a superhero, stepping onto the scene in 1990 with a mission to protect people with disabilities from discrimination in so many areas of life. We're talking about everything from ensuring fair play in job hunting to making public facilities more accessible.

But the ADA didn't stop at the physical world; it extended its reach into the digital realm too. If you're wondering what this has to do with us, as web designers, here's the scoop: we're inspired by ADA's vision and we pour our creativity into making websites that are not only beautiful and functional, but also respect and support the ADA Web Content Accessibility Guidelines(WCAG).

Understanding Web Accessibility

Imagine trying to navigate a website without the ability to use a mouse, or perhaps without being able to see the screen. For some, this isn't just a thought experiment, it's a daily reality. That's where web accessibility comes in. It's the practice of designing and creating websites in a way that everyone can use them, no matter their abilities or disabilities.

Web Accessibility in Everyday Life

To paint a clearer picture of what we mean by web accessibility, think about a time when you watched a video with captions because you couldn't have the sound on. That's an aspect of accessibility. Or when you've used keyboard shortcuts because it was faster or your hands were full — again, that's a nod to accessibility.

The Art of Creating Accessible Websites

So, what goes into making an accessible website? It's all about being inclusive. Websites might include text descriptions for pictures (this helps people who can't see the image understand what's in it), videos might have captions or transcripts (so those with hearing impairments can follow along), and the whole site should be easily navigable using just a keyboard (an essential feature for those who can't use a mouse). Color contrast is another consideration to aid those who struggle with certain color perceptions.

These are a few examples accessibility icons.

Our Role in Crafting an Accessible Web

At ProFusion, we strive to make the internet a more inclusive place. We aim to create our websites so they can be navigated and understood by everyone, regardless of their individual challenges or needs. When we wrap up any project, we make it our goal to check for web accessibility, including on both desktop and mobile versions of your website. By running this check, we can intercept contrast, accessibility, and user-experience issues before they occur.

Our Commitment to Accessibility

While it's not always possible to make every aspect of a website perfectly adhere to ADA guidelines, we assure you that we're continuously learning, improving, and doing our very best. We aim to implement the most current best practices for web accessibility across our projects.

Building a Web that Works for Everyone

Web accessibility isn't just about making life easier for people with disabilities. It's about improving the user experience for everyone. Websites that are intuitive, have clear content, and function reliably offer a better experience to all users. By focusing on accessibility, we're not just complying with laws - we're working to improve the web for everyone.

Let's Make the Web a Better Place, Together

Our team is passionate about what we do. We're excited to continue our quest on meeting and exceeding the ever-evolving world of accessibility. By partnering with us, you're joining a mission to make the internet a better, more inclusive place. Let's shape the web together!