ADA WEBSITE COMPLIANCE GUIDE 

More information can be found on our blog:

Making Your Website ADA-Compliant: Protecting Your Business and Ensuring Equal Access

Is ADA Website Compliance Required?

Yes, in most cases. Healthcare practices, especially those that:Serve the public (e.g., clinics, med spas, hospitals),Offer services online (e.g., telehealth or appointment scheduling), orReceive federal funding (e.g., Medicare or Medicaid reimbursements),are considered “places of public accommodation” under Title III of the ADA and are expected to provide equal access to digital services.

Practicality of Enforcement

While ADA compliance is legally required, the reality is that many healthcare websites are still out of compliance. This is often due to lack of awareness, budget constraints, or outdated web design. Enforcement is somewhat selective and typically triggered by user complaints or targeted legal actions, not proactive government audits. However, noncompliance remains a legal risk, especially in industries like healthcare where digital access is increasingly tied to civil rights and patient care standards. The best approach is to treat accessibility not as a perfection requirement, but as a legal and ethical baseline to actively work toward.

What Does an ADA-Compliant Healthcare Website Look Like?

A good example of accessibility done right is HHS.gov, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ website. Its strengths include:Large, legible fontsHigh-contrast color schemesKeyboard-friendly navigationScreen reader-compatible text and imagesCaptions and transcripts for multimedia

General Guidelines

1. Perceivable

Large, readable font that can be resized without breaking layoutSufficient color contrast Alt text for all meaningful images, including clinical diagrams or educational visualsCaptions and transcripts for any videos or audio files (including educational content)Avoid flashing animations or blinking content (can trigger seizures)

2. Operable

Keyboard-navigable for patients who cannot use a mouseDescriptive link text (e.g., “View HIPAA Notice,” not “Click here”)No auto-play mediaTouch-friendly layout (important for seniors or patients with limited mobility)

3. Understandable

Use plain, clear language in all public-facing content.Accessible form fields with labels, clear instructions, and real-time validation

4. Robust

Designed to be compatible with screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOverUses semantic HTML and ARIA labels for accessibilityResponsive design that works across devices (critical for telehealth and mobile intake)

Testing Tools for Your Web Team

• WAVE – https://wave.webaim.org

• Google Lighthouse – Built into Chrome DevTools

• axe DevTools – Browser extension for accessibility testing

• Screen readers – Try using NVDA (Windows), VoiceOver (Mac), or TalkBack (Android)

ADA Website Compliance Checklist

Large, readable text with proper color contrastText alternatives for all imagesCaptions and transcripts for mediaKeyboard and screen reader-friendly navigationDescriptive links and accessible formsMobile-friendly and responsiveTested using real assistive toolsAccessibility baked into telehealth, portals, and patient forms