Why comply? The importance of ADA compliance in a digital world
What Is ADA Compliance—and Why Your Website Needs It
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted in 1990; in 2010, the Department of Justice issued clear guidance requiring that all electronic information and online tools be accessible to people with disabilities. Creating an ADA-compliant website might sound daunting, but it doesn’t mean sacrificing your design or hand-coding dozens of accessibility fixes.
Plus, the upside far exceeds the risk of inaction. Here are the top four reasons to make your site ADA compliant now:
1. Save on Taxes
Small businesses may be able claim a tax credit of up to $5,000 for making their operations accessible (check with your accountant since we are not!), including your website. By investing in compliance upgrades, you qualify for a 50% credit on eligible costs and can deduct the rest as an ordinary business expense. That’s real savings come tax time.
2. Boost Your SEO
An inaccessible site often hides errors that block search-engine crawlers. By fixing those accessibility issues—like missing alt text, improper heading structure, or unlabeled form fields—you automatically improve your SEO health. More pages get indexed, your site rank rises, and even your PPC costs can drop as Quality Scores improve.
3. Reach More Patients
When you make your site truly navigable—screen-reader compatible, keyboard-friendly, and clear in its hierarchy—you unlock a market of users who couldn’t browse before. That means increased traffic, more appointment requests, and a loyal patient base who appreciate your inclusivity.
4. Avoid Costly Lawsuits
Accessibility lawsuits aren’t just hypothetical—they’re on the rise. Proactively auditing and patching your site (and any downloadable PDFs) helps you stay ahead of demand letters and legal fees. In the long run, the investment is small compared to attorney costs and potential settlements.
5. Uphold Ethical Standards
Making your website accessible isn’t just about meeting legal requirements, it’s also the right thing to do. By removing barriers and ensuring everyone can engage with your content, you demonstrate genuine respect for all individuals. Ethical accessibility builds trust, shows your practice’s compassion and integrity, and positions your brand as a caring leader in the community.
Millions of Americans live with visual, hearing, or motor impairments that can make traditional web browsing impossible. An ADA-compliant site isn’t just good for your bottom line; it signals to every visitor that your practice genuinely cares about accessibility.
Ready to get started? Schedule a free ADA compliance audit today or call us at (888) 348-3113 and let Urge Interactive help you build a more inclusive, high-performing website.
