Accessibility Standards

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are both standards and guidelines aimed at making products, services, and websites accessible to people with disabilities.

ADA & WCAG: Why Accessibility Matters for Your Business

What is ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. This U.S. law, passed in 1990, applies to businesses, educational institutions, and public services. ADA compliance for websites means that digital spaces must be accessible to people who use assistive technologies like screen readers and voice recognition software.

What is WCAG?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide a global framework for web developers to ensure digital content is accessible. Developed by the W3C, WCAG focuses on four core principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR). Following WCAG guidelines helps websites meet accessibility standards and improves user experiences for people with disabilities.

Why ADA and WCAG Matter to Your Business?

Legal Protection:

ADA compliance can help your business avoid lawsuits, fines, and damage to reputation.

Expand Your Audience:

About 15% of the global population lives with a disability. Accessible websites can attract this audience, improve user experience, and drive conversions.

Competitive Advantage:

Increasingly, businesses in industries like e-commerce and education are focusing on accessibility, and those that don't risk falling behind.

Corporate Responsibility:

Showing a commitment to accessibility enhances your brand image and builds customer loyalty.

ADA and WCAG Compliance: A Company-Wide Responsibility

ADA and WCAG compliance is crucial for making digital properties accessible to everyone, and it requires involvement from various teams across the company. Here's a breakdown of key roles and their responsibilities:

Leadership/Management (CEO, COO, CTO)

Ensure accessibility is prioritized within the company strategy and set the tone for inclusivity.
Actions: Support accessibility initiatives and create an inclusive culture.

Web Development Team (Developers, Engineers)

Implement and maintain ADA and WCAG standards across digital properties.
Actions: Ensure code complies with accessibility guidelines and regularly test for issues.

UX/UI Design Team

Create visually accessible designs that are easy to navigate.
Actions: Collaborate with developers to ensure designs are accessible, and test prototypes.

Content Team (Writers, Editors, Marketers)

Ensure all digital content is accessible, including images, videos, and text.
Actions: Provide alternative text, captions, and clear language.

Quality Assurance (QA) and Testing Team

Test digital assets for accessibility using tools and manual checks.
Actions: Report issues and ensure fixes are made to meet accessibility standards.

Customer Support/Success Team

Address customer complaints related to accessibility.
Actions: Gather feedback on accessibility issues and relay to the development team.

Legal/Compliance Team

Ensure compliance with ADA regulations and accessibility laws.
Actions: Advise leadership on legal requirements and monitor ongoing compliance.

Marketing and Communications Team

Ensure marketing materials are accessible to all users.
Actions: Audit digital campaigns and follow accessibility guidelines for ads and emails.

Product Management Team

Ensure products are accessible to all users.
Actions: Integrate accessibility into the product development lifecycle.

Training and Education/HR Team

Provide ongoing training on accessibility to all employees.
Actions: Coordinate accessibility workshops and raise awareness across departments.

Each team plays an integral role in ensuring that your company’s digital properties are fully accessible and compliant with ADA and WCAG standards.

ADA and WCAG: Enhancing Customer Experience, Success, and Retention

Creating accessible digital experiences isn’t just about legal compliance, it's a key component of a strong Customer Experience (CX), Customer Success (CS), and long-term Retention strategy.

Customer Experience (CX):

Accessibility ensures all users, including those with disabilities, can navigate your website or app smoothly. This improves the overall experience by making your products and services more inclusive and easier to use, leading to higher satisfaction.

Customer Success (CS):

Meeting accessibility standards like ADA and WCAG builds trust and demonstrates your commitment to serving diverse customer needs. A seamless, accessible experience supports successful customer interactions, ensuring they have the tools and resources they need to engage with your business effectively.

Customer Retention (CR):

Accessible websites foster customer loyalty by ensuring that all users feel valued. When you prioritize accessibility, you create positive experiences for everyone, encouraging repeat engagement and long-term retention.

By integrating ADA and WCAG standards into your business strategy, you not only avoid legal risk but also improve customer loyalty, engagement, and overall success.

Please note: Callidora Global Media does not provide this service as part of our advisory offerings. However, we believe it’s important to be aware of its potential impact on your Customer Experience (CX), Customer Success (CS), and Customer Retention (CR) efforts if left unreviewed. We recommend consulting with your legal team to ensure compliance based on your specific location and regulations.