I collaborate with retail clients and web design firms to create plans for Cleveland, OH ADA-friendly websites that align with the latest ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines.
Achieving ADA compliance can be a complex and ongoing process, which is why I take a personalized approach to each case, developing customized strategies that meet the needs of individuals, companies, and agencies. Over the years, I have established strong partnerships with some of the country’s top organizations for ADA compliance and proudly hold membership in the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP).
My Approach to Cleveland ADA-friendly Websites
– I prioritize designing ADA-friendly websites and creating accessibility plans as a crucial part of my business strategy. This is not only to comply with federal laws but also to ensure that my clients’ websites are accessible to the widest possible audience.
– I stay updated with the latest accessibility standards and guidelines and strive to incorporate them into every project.
– I recognize that there may be practical limitations in website development for ADA compliance and work to find feasible solutions for my clients.
– I collaborate with other accessibility professionals to expand my knowledge and expertise and improve my ability to create more accessible websites.
– I continuously educate myself about federal legislation in the United States and its application to the digital realm to ensure that my clients’ websites meet or exceed all necessary requirements.
The importance of ADA-friendly websites in Cleveland
The Internet is a fundamental tool that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. An ADA-friendly website ensures that people with diverse hearing, movement, visual, and cognitive abilities can access and use the internet to its fullest potential.
The web has the potential to eliminate many communication and contact barriers that people with disabilities encounter in the physical world. However, poorly designed websites, applications, technology, or tools can create obstacles that prevent people from using the internet effectively.
Developers and organizations in Cleveland that prioritize accessibility and design high-quality websites and web tools that don’t prohibit people from using their products and services can create an inclusive environment for all users.
Ensuring accessibility is a fundamental human right that grants people equal access to information, including the internet. Therefore, creating ADA-friendly websites is essential to provide equal opportunities and access to the internet for all individuals.
Benefits of ADA-friendly Websites in Cleveland
ADA-friendly websites benefit not only individuals with disabilities but also elderly users, those living in rural areas, and people in developing countries. Implementing accessibility best practices for websites in Cleveland can also improve search engine optimization (SEO), lower maintenance costs, and increase audience reach.
Unfortunately, many websites and products are built with accessibility hurdles that prevent some users from using them. Therefore, it is crucial to design websites that are accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities.
One critical aspect of website accessibility is the inclusion of alternative text (alt-text) for images. People who are blind or use a screen reader rely on alt text to access information on a page. Providing alt text also benefits those with low bandwidth or expensive internet access and is accessible to search engines and other technologies that cannot view images.
Another essential aspect of ADA-friendly websites is ensuring that they do not require the use of a mouse. Many senior users with weak fine motor skills cannot use a mouse, so a website that is accessible should provide all functionality utilizing a keyboard. This allows users with disabilities to employ assistive technologies, such as speech input, that simulate keyboard input.
Inaccessibility to audio files poses a challenge for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. However, providing a text transcript of the audio information can make it accessible to these users, as well as search engines and other technologies that cannot hear.
Creating text transcripts is an affordable and straightforward solution for making websites in Cleveland ADA-friendly. Various transcription providers can create HTML-formatted text transcripts, making it easier for individuals with hearing impairments to access the information.
If you need an ADA-friendly website in Cleveland, don’t hesitate to contact Shane today for assistance.
