The Core Pillars Of ADA Web Accessibility
Every single facet of ADA web accessibility is, in essence, rooted within four core pillars. And these four core pillars are as follows:
-Perceivability.
-Operability.
-Understandability.
-Robustness.
If your website fails to be robust, for example – and, in this context, it means supporting a wide range of assistive technologies – then your website cannot be considered ADA accessible.
A website that is considered ADA inaccessible can be subject to ADA web accessibility claims and lawsuits. These can be, and often are, rather costly.
Outside of those facts, though, when it comes to making your website accessible to those with anxiety, it is of the utmost importance that you keep these four core pillars in mind and, when designing your website, use them.
Right below this section, you can find three ways to make your website more accessible to those with anxiety and, in turn, those with nearly any sort of disability.
01: Rely On A Consistent But Effective, Design
Your website must rely on a consistent but effective design.
Just as an example, if your website relies on a relatively simple layout – and it should – then this layout should apply to every single page of the website.
Outside of that, this layout must be effective, so that your users can easily navigate, and use, the features that your website offers.
The best way to determine the effectiveness of your website’s layout is to have multiple people, including those with anxiety, test it out.
02: Always Try To Avoid Time Constraints
Many websites rely on time constraints of one sort or another.
A common example is a period of time in which a user is allowed to access a document. And, then, when that period of time passes, the document is no longer accessible.
On its own, this is fine. But, only if this time limit is clearly outlined and there are notifications regarding this time limit and when it is set to conclude; you should also try to give your users the ability to extend, or adjust, the limit.
If you can, always try to avoid time constraints and, for that matter, intrusive notifications and phrases that evoke time-based pressure in your users.
03: Rely On Clear Headings And Language
Your website should rely on headings so that specific bodies of text are delineated.
Every heading must rely on clear but descriptive language. This language must outline the purpose and focus of a particular section.
Just as an example, the heading for this section outlines one of the things you can do to improve your users’ experience with your website.
Outside of the above, you should try to produce all of your written web content by using clear but descriptive language that anyone can understand with relative ease.
