Finding or designing the perfect template for your WordPress website can be challenging. You want a template that is eye-catching and works well with the kind of product you are advertising. It is also important that the template is accessible to all potential users. The Americans with Disabilities Act has accessibility requirements for websites. If you do not comply with them, the government can fine you. Fortunately, some plugins can guide you through the process of making your Accessible WordPress Templates compliant with the ADA. You can even get a free trial to ensure the plug-in is right for you.
Who Has to Comply With ADA Rules?
Both businesses open to the public and state and local government agencies are subject to the ADA’s rules. Governments have to give equal access to disabled people so they can register to vote, pay their taxes, pay tickets, and enroll themselves or their kids in school.
Businesses open to the public must give all people access to the company’s goods and services. A disabled person should be able to get all the same information from your website that a person who is not disabled can. They must be able to order products and services on your site as well.
There are 5 elements you should look for when it comes to making sure the template you use is accessible to everyone.
Keyboard Navigation Ability- Accessible WordPress Templates
People who have a disability that prevents them from grasping or moving their arms in the full range may have trouble navigating a screen with a mouse. Many templates are designed for mouse navigation. It is important that disabled people can navigate your website with a keyboard.
An accessibility app will let you program certain keys to perform functions that a disabled person can use. For example, you can program the enter key to use a drop-down menu or the tab key to move between pages.
Make Your Site Accessible to The Visually Impaired
People with impaired vision should be able to use your site. If you have images on your website, you must have alt text describing what the image shows. Images are an important part of the way users get information from your site.
If you use keyword-rich alt text, you will not only make your site compliant, you will drive more traffic to your site. On-page SEO is very important to your position on a Google search page.
You must also make the font big enough for everyone to read. The ADA does not specify a certain size requirement for the font. However, a size of at least 16 points is recommended.
There are certain color combinations that you should not use on a website. People who are color-blind cannot tell the difference between red and green. People with visual impairments may have difficulty distinguishing between the colors blue and yellow.
It is not a good idea to have yellow lettering on a blue background or vice versa. It is important to avoid flashing lights both for people with vision problems and those who may experience seizures.
Do Not Allow Your Screens to Time Out- Accessible WordPress Templates
People who are disabled may need more time to navigate their way through your website. Some websites will time out after a viewer has been on a certain page for too long. This can be very frustrating for a customer who is trying to buy a product.
A disabled person may be on your company’s checkout page only to find that it times out before they can finish typing in their credit card information. No customer should ever have to work hard to patronize your business. If you let people stay on each screen for as long as they need to, you will not only be compliant, you will make more money.
Also Read: Top 6 Free Contact Form WordPress Plugins
Make Sure Forms Can Be Used By Everyone- Accessible WordPress Templates
If you have any kind of form for customers to fill out, such as contact forms or credit applications, everyone should be able to use them.
Forms must have clear labeling. They must also work with screen readers that will let users know if they have made an error. All users should be able to tell if their forms were successfully submitted.
Video and Audio Content Should Be Accessible
Video content is a great way to advertise your products and introduce your brand philosophy to the public. If you have videos on your website, you must make sure you offer closed captioning for the hearing impaired. You should offer audio transcriptions for people who are blind.
When you make your site compliant, you will avoid discipline for ADA violations and you will increase your customer base. When a site is accessible to everyone, you may garner good publicity from organizations for disabled people as well as the press.
Interesting Reads:
What exactly is an ADA-Compatible Website?
Complete Guide On Email Laws And Regulations
Can a Free WordPress Accessibility Plugin Leave You Vulnerable to Lawsuits?
