Accessible web design: ADA & section 504 compliance guide

Principles of accessible web design

Accessible web design relies on four core pillars: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust experiences. (These are sometimes referred to as POUR.)

Large enterprises must turn these into layouts, content, and code. This helps every user navigate complex digital properties with ease.

Perceivable

Information and interface parts must be presented to users in ways they can perceive. This means digital content cannot be invisible to a user’s available senses.

Common examples include:

• Alt text: Large websites must provide text alternatives for non-text content. This includes adding alt text to images and captions to videos.
• High color contrast: It helps users with low vision read text against a background.

Operable

Interface parts and navigation must be usable. The site shouldn’t require actions that a user can’t perform.

Common examples include:

• Keyboard accessibility: Interactive elements, such as links, buttons, and form fields, must work without a mouse.
• Navigation: Large organizations should also make sure navigation is consistent across thousands of pages. This helps users find where they are and where they need to go.

Understandable

Users must be able to understand the information and how to operate the user interface. Content should be clear and avoid complex jargon.

Common examples include:

• Forms: Forms need helpful labels and error messages that explain how to fix a mistake.
• Formatting: If a user enters an incorrect date format, the system should provide a clear example of the right one.

Robust

Content must be robust enough that a wide range of tools can interpret it.

Common examples include:

• Assistive technology: Assistive technologies, such as screen readers, are critical for some users.
• Standard code: Using clean, standard code helps content remain accessible, even as technology advances.

Applying these principles reduces bugs and improves usability metrics. Companies using these standards see higher conversion rates. Case studies of some of the world’s top brands support this.

When a site is easy to use, people stay longer. Section 504 standards help teams create better experiences and build better products for all customers.

Tools and techniques for accessible web content

Modern accessibility tools, plug-ins, and audits expose issues in code and content. This enables teams to embed inclusive designs into every release.

These solutions help large organizations maintain high standards across thousands of digital pages.

Essential tools for every team

A strong tool kit is the first step toward better design.

• For developers: Developers can use browser tools, such as Axe DevTools or Google Lighthouse, to find errors. These tools highlight missing alt text or poor color contrast in seconds.
• For designers: Designers can use contrast checkers and Figma plug-ins to catch issues before code is written.
• For enterprise-wide monitoring: Platforms such as Siteimprove.ai provide dashboards that show compliance levels across your company domains.

Build accessibility into the workflow

Accessibility isn’t a one-time task. It must be part of your daily work.

Teams should add linters to their code editors. These act like spell checkers for accessibility. They flag errors as developers type.

During the build process, automated tests should run in your CI/CD pipeline. If a new feature breaks an accessibility guideline, the system can block it from going live. This prevents bugs from reaching your customers.

Set a repeatable testing cadence

Automation is fast, but it can’t catch everything. In fact, estimates of how much automated tools uncover vary widely, from 20 percent to 60 percent. To support total compliance, you must also perform manual tests.

Large teams should set a regular schedule for these audits.

• Test your main pages every month.
• Check new features during every sprint.

Your team should perform real-world testing. For example, use screen readers such as JAWS or NVDA to navigate your site without a screen. This makes the experience usable for everyone.

Document and track progress

Finding an issue is only part of the process. You also need to track it until it is fixed.

Integrate your testing tools with issue-tracking systems such as Jira or Asana. Create specific tickets for accessibility issues. Assign them a priority level based on how much they block users.

This keeps your teams accountable. It also helps leaders see progress toward full compliance.

Legal framework: ADA and Section 504 compliance

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 treat inaccessible websites as discrimination. Organizations must include their accessibility standard in every part of their digital strategy, such as in policy, design, and quality assurance.

Accessibility laws apply to public websites, mobile apps, and internal tools. They even cover digital documents such as PDFs and spreadsheets.

Understand the laws

ADA Title III covers businesses open to the public. These are called “places of public accommodation.” This includes online retailers, restaurants, banks, and healthcare providers.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is different. It applies to any group that receives federal funding. This often includes schools, hospitals, and local transit.

Both laws require “effective communication” and “equal program access.” If a user can’t use your site to get a service, they’re being denied equal access.

Map technical standards

Courts and the Department of Justice look for clear technical standards. The common goal is the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 AA. This standard outlines exactly how to make code and content work for everyone.

Following these rules helps your company stay on the right side of the law.

Build a compliance program

A strong program is better than a one-time fix. To support compliance, include the following elements in your program.

• Compliance policies: Start with a clear company policy. This shows every team member that accessibility is a priority and provides a clear standard within your organization.
• Training: Provide regular training for developers and content creators. This helps teams maintain compliance standards, even as requirements and technology shift and change.
• Checklists: Use checklists to catch errors during the design phase. Lists make it easy for teams to be sure they don’t miss errors.
• Audits: Regular audits (monthly, annually, and during every new product release) should be a standard part of your business operations.
• Vendor governance: Governance is also key for vendors. Use a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) to check the tools you buy so that third-party software will not break your compliance.

Document your efforts

Good-faith efforts protect your company from legal risk. Documentation leaves a clear paper trail demonstrating your efforts.

• Document every accessibility decision you make.
• Keep logs of all audits and the fixes you complete.
• Post an accessibility statement on your site. (This also gives users a way to report problems.)

Keeping these records proves your organization is working hard to promote inclusion and follow the law.

The business case for accessible web design

Accessible web design expands your market. It protects revenue from legal risk and increases conversion and retention over time.

For a large enterprise, accessibility isn’t just a legal chore. It’s a strategic growth lever.

Reach a larger audience

Millions of people live with disabilities, such as vision, hearing, and/or motor impairments. When your site incorporates accessible design, you open your doors to this huge market.

Website accessibility also helps people with temporary needs. Think of a user with a broken arm or a parent holding a baby. People in bright sunlight benefit from high contrast.

An inclusive design helps you reach everyone in every situation.

Impact on revenue and conversion

Accessible sites perform better. According to a study conducted by Accessibility Checker in partnership with Semrush, “Organic traffic increased an average of 23 percent as a site’s accessibility compliance score increased.” The same study also showed improvement in the number of organic keywords sites ranked for and higher site authority.

What’s more, accessible sites provide a better user experience, contributing to a better customer journey.

They have clear navigation and simple forms. This reduces the number of people who quit halfway through a purchase. Higher usability helps organizations meet business goals. It also improves customer lifetime value.

When a site is easy to use, customers come back. This builds trust and loyalty for your brand.

Proactive vs. reactive costs

Fixing a site after a lawsuit is expensive. These instances disrupt your product roadmap and cost a fortune in legal fees. It’s much cheaper to avoid accessibility issues from the start.

Proactive programs save money by avoiding rework. They keep your teams focused on innovation instead of fixing old mistakes.

SEO and reputation gains

Search engines love accessible sites. Clean code and clear labels make it easier for Google to understand your pages. This can drive more organic traffic.

Being a leader in accessibility also boosts your reputation and shows your company cares about all its users. This creates a competitive edge that some simply won’t take the time to match.

Measure success

Accessibility metrics feed into your main business goals.

• Net Promoter Score (NPS): Track how accessibility scores impact your NPS.
• Churn rates: Watch for a drop in churn rates on your key landing pages.

Linking these metrics to your pipeline proves the true value of your work.

Implement accessible web design: A strategic playbook

A strategic accessibility playbook aligns roles, processes, and tooling. This helps cross-functional teams deliver more accessible experiences.

For large firms, success depends on moving from one-off fixes to a unified system.

1. Map the gaps

Start by looking at your current web workflows. Check every step from discovery to quality assurance.

Many teams find gaps in the design or content entry phases. You might find that designers lack contrast tools, or writers don’t know how to write alt text.

Identifying these weak spots allows you to fix them before they reach the live site.

2. Define roles and ownership

Accessibility is everyone’s job, but someone must lead. Clear ownership prevents tasks from being overlooked.

• Leadership: Sets the vision and budget
• Developers: Focus on clean code and keyboard access
• Designers: Handle layouts and visual cues
• Content teams: Manage clear language and media descriptions
• Legal: Checks that the company meets ADA requirements

Using a RACI chart helps define who is responsible for each part of the process.

3. Phased road maps and checks

Don’t try to fix everything in one day. Start with your most visited pages.

Build a road map that sets standards for all new projects. Then, move to older content. Use automated tools for ongoing monitoring to catch new issues as they appear.

4. Empower teams and track success

Give your teams the right tools and training.

• Playbooks: Provide playbooks that show exactly how to handle complex items, such as data tables or video players.
• KPIs: Embed accessibility KPIs into your executive dashboards.
• Tracking: Track metrics, such as accessibility health scores, alongside your sales numbers.

This helps everyone in your organization know what’s expected. This approach also keeps the goal and performance visible to the whole company.

5. Governance and vendor standards

Strong governance keeps the program running. Create a steering committee to review progress every month. You must also hold your vendors to the same high standards.

Use accessibility checklists for all new software purchases. This prevents third-party tools from damaging your compliance or user experience.

A commitment to digital inclusivity

Accessible web design is just one part of a digital accessibility program. To be fully inclusive, large organizations must apply these same high standards to mobile apps, internal documents, and all marketing emails.

A sustainable program relies on clear team roles and a strong testing roadmap. This strategy supports long-term compliance with web accessibility laws while driving positive business results and a better user experience for everyone.

Inclusive design is never truly finished. It’s an ongoing commitment to disability rights and top business performance. By making ADA compliance a core value, you build a digital brand that welcomes every customer.

This approach reduces legal risk and helps your company stand out as a leader in the modern market.

Next steps for your team

• Audit your most visited pages for keyboard navigation and high color contrast.
• Write a clear company accessibility policy to align marketing, IT, and legal teams.
• Review all vendor contracts for VPAT documentation to check third-party tools.