In the United States, besides federal, state, and local government websites, there are no enforceable regulations or standards for accessibility. Non-governmental websites don’t have any regulations to follow as set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to present a website that’s inclusive and accessible for all. Even so, this doesn’t mean your website shouldn’t make website accessibility a priority. 

I’ll start with a quote by Jakob Nielsen, co-founder of the Nielsen Norman Group, pioneers in web usability.

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Imagine you’ve been tasked with riding a unicycle across a tightrope. It sounds difficult, right?

We’ve all been there. You’ve painstakingly overhauled your site to be ADA compliant and to match the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Then just a short time later, changes to the standard are made and you have to start all over again.

Since 1990 when it was first passed, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has helped ensure that those with disabilities may more fully and equally participate in the public sphere. Accessibility guidelines have expanded to include websites, and your business's website and digital presence must be ADA compliant to better serve your customers, meet regulatory requirements, and protect you from potential legal action.

Compliance with legal regulations can be a chore. It’s not likely to show up on your list of the most exciting topics.

Approximately 25% of American adults have a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This means that your organization's website should be built in a way that accommodates and meets the needs of people with a variety of disabilities.

In today's digitally advanced world, designing for accessibility has become the norm. Brands that aren't using an accessibility-first design run the risk of losing leads and prospective customers to competitors that do.