Website accessibility

Businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies need to make their websites accessible so people with disabilities can enjoy the same goods, services, and activities as those without disabilities. 

How people with disabilities use your website

People with disabilities often use assistive technology to use your website. Here are some examples:

  • People who are blind or have visual disabilities may use screen readers that read aloud the information on the screen.
  • People with hearing disabilities may use captioning for videos. 
  • People with learning disabilities may use text-to-speech software to make it easier to read the information.
  • People with limited use of their hands may use voice commands to navigate through websites. 

What the law requires

Government agencies

If you are a state or local government, the ADA applies to your:

  • Services
  • Programs
  • Activities

If you offer any services, programs, and activities online, then people with disabilities should be able to access them.

Examples of online government programs, services, and activities:

  • Viewing transit schedules
  • Buying transit passes
  • Paying city utility bills
  • Reserving time for public comment at a government agency meeting

Private businesses and nonprofits

If your business or nonprofit is open to the public, the ADA applies to your:

  • Goods
  • Services
  • Activities

People with disabilities should be able to use your website to do the same things people without disabilities can do.

Examples of online business and nonprofit goods, services, and activities:

  • Making appointments at a nonprofit counseling center
  • Buying food for delivery
  • Reserving hotel rooms

Get website accessibility guidance.

Ask us

If you have questions about website accessibility requirements and resources to help make your website accessible, we can help.

 

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