Every website must comply with the rules and regulations set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. By complying with the ADA, you can protect your website from ADA web accessibility claims and lawsuits.
Going over the rules and complexities that underlie semantic elements and screen readers while speaking with an ADA web accessibility lawyer will allow you to protect your website.
What Are Semantic Elements?
Semantic elements are HTML elements that clarify the meaning of a particular piece of your website.
Just as an example, if you have a blog post, then the semantic elements comprising this blog post will clarify:
The title of this blog post.
The subheadings that this blog post relies on.
The paragraph structure of this blog post
The sentences within this blog post.
The lists within the blog post.
Every single one of the above can and should be clarified using semantic elements. By doing so, assistive technologies – screen readers, for example – can read these elements to those who may be visually impaired.
What Are Screen Readers?
Screen readers are assistive technologies that “read” the contents of a particular web page. When reading the contents of a particular web page, screen readers turn it into speech or, alternatively, braille.
If someone lives with a visual impairment, then the best way for them to access and use the internet is, in most cases, to use a screen reader.
To ensure that those who use screen readers can access and engage with your website, there are certain things that you must do. And, just as you might assume, one of those things has to do with semantic elements.
How Can You Use Semantic Elements Properly?
The best way to use semantic elements properly is to review every single piece of content comprising your website. While doing so, look at the semantic elements that comprise the content.
If you find any clear discrepancies – subheading tags that are not set up in their sequential order, for example – then you can, and should, rectify these discrepancies.
Outside of the above, you should also use a screen reader to test your website. This means going over the pages that comprise your website with a screen reader, allowing you to see if any notable errors arise.
For example, if you are going through your website and the headings are purely visual, then you may not be able to navigate the content very easily. This means that you should turn those headings into semantic elements.
Many other issues can arise. However, the most important thing is to make sure that your content reads properly on a screen reader. If it doesn’t, then you must adjust the semantic elements of your website.
Speak With A New York ADA Web Accessibility Lawyer Today
If you are facing an ADA web accessibility claim or lawsuit, then you must obtain legal help. Speak with a New York ADA web accessibility lawyer at The Samuel Law Firm today, and we will protect your website.
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