Your website must offer subheadings. Not only that, but these subheadings must also be semantic as opposed to purely visual.
Going over why semantic subheadings are necessary and speaking with a New York ADA defense lawyer who specializes in ADA web accessibility claims/lawsuits will allow you to protect your website.
What Comprises ADA Web Accessibility?
In order for a website to be considered ADA web-accessible, it must offer features that support the following:
Perceivability.
Operability.
Understandability.
Robustness.
Just as an example of the latter, your website must support assistive technologies. By doing so, your website is robust enough to support disabled users and, in turn, the devices they depend upon to access/use the web.
Our concern, with the rest of this guide, is perceivability and understandability.
Why Are Subheadings Important?
Subheadings are important for many, many reasons. Out of all these reasons, though, the following are most notable:
A subheading clarifies the purpose and focus of a particular portion of your content.
A subheading grabs your reader’s attention and compels them to read more.
A subheading guides the content and, in turn, your readers’ awareness of this content’s purpose.
Outside of the above, subheadings make it easier for users to scan and read your content. This is true, even if they are disabled or dependent on assistive technologies, such as screen readers.
If your web content lacks subheadings, then the following can occur:
The purpose of a particular portion of your content may be unclear.
The Act of reading/scanning your content may become far more difficult.
The lack of subheadings is a violation of the WCAG.
Regarding the latter point, this could lead to an ADA web accessibility claim/lawsuit. This is unlikely to happen, but, as per the WCAG and, in turn, the ADA, it is possible.
Why Do You Need Semantic Headings?
Right before we answer the question outlined above, there is one thing to clarify: the difference between visual headings and semantic subheadings.
A visual subheading is a subheading that looks like a heading; visually, it’s larger and is in bold, right above a body of text that looks like most of the other text.
Many blogs, articles, and other forms of web content rely on visual subheadings. But, even though visual subheadings are necessary, these headings must also be semantic.
A semantic subheading is a subheading that not only looks like a subheading but is set to be a subheading within the code that comprises your website.
For example, you might have an “H1” heading that says “A Store For All Your Clothing Needs.” Right within this heading, there is an HTML attribute that clarifies the “H1” nature of this heading.
If the above is true, then anyone using your website can go from heading to heading, making it easier to navigate your content. But, if it isn’t, then the headings cannot be interacted with, making it harder for people to navigate.
Speak With A New York ADA Web Accessibility Lawyer Today
If you are currently facing an ADA web accessibility claim/lawsuit, then you should obtain legal help. Speak with a New York ADA web accessibility lawyer at The Samuel Law Firm today, and we will defend your website.
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