What is ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law in the United States that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, transportation, and public and private places that are open to the general public. The ADA was signed into law in 1990 and has since been amended to include new protections and provisions. The ADA applies to all employers, state and local governments, and public accommodations, such as restaurants, hotels, and retail stores. It requires that these entities make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in order to allow them equal access to the same opportunities and benefits that are available to individuals without disabilities.
What Does ADA Mean for Marketing?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has significant implications for marketing in both B2B and B2C settings. In B2B marketing, the ADA requires that companies make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in order to allow them equal access to the same opportunities and benefits that are available to individuals without disabilities. This includes making sure that websites, marketing materials, and other forms of communication are accessible to people with disabilities. In B2C marketing, the ADA requires that companies make sure their marketing efforts, including websites and advertising, are accessible to people with disabilities. This means that companies need to ensure that their marketing efforts are inclusive and do not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. This is especially important in the digital age, as more and more consumers are accessing information and making purchasing decisions online. By making sure their marketing efforts are compliant with the ADA, companies can better reach and serve their target audiences, regardless of their abilities.
Creating ADA Compliant Websites 
Ensuring that your website is accessible for all and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is essential in today’s digital world. Not only because it is the right thing to do, but it’s also good for business. By making sure your website is inclusive and does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities, you can better reach and serve your target audience, no matter their abilities.
Here are some key steps you can take to ensure that your website is accessible for all and compliant with the ADA:
- Use clear and concise language. Use language that is easy to understand, and avoid using jargon or technical terms that may be confusing or difficult for some users to understand.
- Use high-contrast colors. Make it easier for users with visual impairments to read your content by using high-contrast colors for text and backgrounds.
- Provide alt tags for images. Alt tags, or alternative text, provide a text description of an image for users who are unable to see it. This is especially important for users who are blind or have low vision. Alt tags are especially important for people who use screen readers, which are assistive technologies that read the text of a webpage out loud. When a screen reader encounters an image on a webpage, it will read the alt tag to the user, providing them with a description of the image.
- Use descriptive headings and labels. Descriptive headings and labels help users navigate your website and understand the content on each page. For example, if you were writing an article about the pros of plant-based eating, you’d want the heading to say “The Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet” rather than “Eating Healthy.” This ensures that a user who is using a screen reader immediately knows what the article is about rather than having to wait until halfway through the screen reading.
- Test your website for accessibility. There are a number of tools and resources available that can help you test your website for accessibility. Some popular ones include WebAIM’s Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool, the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool, and the Accessibility Insights browser extension.
- Offer an accessibility menu on your website. Allow site visitors to select from a list of accommodations that will make their experience on your website one that fits their needs. There are tons of ways to make your site accessible for various needs, so do your research and compile it into one easy to use menu.
Creating ADA Compliant Marketing Campaigns
Here are some key steps you can take to ensure that your marketing campaigns are accessible for all and compliant with the ADA:
- Create accessible marketing materials. This includes making sure that your marketing materials, such as brochures, flyers, and social media posts, are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Some things to consider include using high-contrast colors, providing alt tags for images, and using clear and concise language.
- Ensure your emails and other digital marketing materials are accessible. Like your website, your emails and other digital marketing materials should be accessible to people with disabilities. Again this includes using alt text for images, using clear and simple language, and providing transcripts for audio and video content.
- Consider the needs of people with disabilities in your marketing materials. When creating marketing materials such as brochures, flyers, and posters, consider the needs of people with disabilities. This might include using large print or braille, or providing audio versions of materials.
- Train your team. It’s important to ensure that your team is aware of the importance of accessibility and how to create marketing campaigns that are compliant with the ADA. Consider providing training on how to create accessible marketing materials and how to use tools and resources to test for accessibility.
By following these steps, you can ensure that both your website and marketing campaigns are accessible for all and compliant with the ADA. This will not only help you reach and serve your target audience, but it will also help you avoid potential legal issues and improve your overall brand reputation.
