First steps toward ADA web accessibility compliance

In brief

DOJ's first-steps guidance for the Title II web rule suggests a practical order of work. It is informal technical assistance, not binding, and it is a sensible approach for any organization starting out.

The steps

1. Learn the requirements and identify who in the organization is responsible.
2. Train staff by role, including designers, developers, content authors and procurement staff.
3. Inventory your web content and mobile apps, including social media and third-party content.
4. Evaluate accessibility with a mix of automated and manual testing, and prioritize high-impact content such as forms, payments and shared templates.
5. Review vendor contracts. See vendors and third-party content.
6. Write accessibility policies that match your existing ADA policies.

Help from DOJ

The ADA Information Line is 800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264), Monday through Friday. Calls are confidential.

What to do

• Name an owner and put a date on the first inventory.
• Start testing with the pages people use most.
• Fix shared templates early, because one fix improves many pages.

Common mistakes

• Starting with a redesign instead of an inventory.
• Testing only the homepage.
• Leaving procurement out of the process.

Sources

• First Steps Toward Complying with the Title II Web Rule (ADA.gov), opens in a new tab
• Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA (ADA.gov), opens in a new tab

This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For binding requirements, refer to the official ADA statute and regulations, and ask a lawyer how they apply to you.