Websites with specifications for ADA and WCAG
Web Development
3Quick Read
Websites that meet ADA and WCAG 2.0 AA standards are designed for easier access for people with visual, hearing, photosensitivity, and other difficulties. In Greece, these are often required when you're building a website for ESPA funding. Having an accessible site for people with disabilities not only supports everyone’s right to free access online, but it also benefits your site’s SEO.
9 Website Specifications for ADA Compliance
The following 9 specifications for an ADA-compliant website align with many of the accessibility rules for ESPA. All of the specifications are included in special plugins that your technician will integrate into your site.
Easy text readability
Color contrast
Font size adjustment
Compatible with screen reading software
Provide subtitles for videos
Descriptive links with clear meaning
Text voice narration
Easy navigation, also via keyboard
Hierarchical structure in site architecture
At Cosmolink, we've handled several projects through ESPA, all of which meet ADA compliance requirements according to the WCAG standard. But we take it further by using ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) rules and visual minimalism principles. Some examples of such projects are inorato and samosoutdoors.
Besides the reports from checking tools, we provide certification documents and screenshots that verify your website's compliance with ADA specifications.
We create modern Websites with WordPress, Drupal, Shopify, Magento, and other Technologies with unique designs. Finally, we guarantee that your site will be compliant with the requirements to receive funding from European fund support programs.
4 ADA Compliance Checking Tools for ESPA
The 4 Web Accessibility Checkers examine a website for ADA compliance to ensure it meets the WCAG 2.0 AA standard, enabling you to receive support from ESPA.
What is WCAG 2.0 AA?
WCAG 2.0 AA stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and in Greek means Web Content Accessibility Specifications. It is a set of rules that specifies how the content on the internet can be made accessible to people with disabilities.
The standard was published by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) and developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). W3C is an organization that creates guidelines and standards for better online navigation.
The first guideline for accessible content was created and published in January 1995 by Gregg Vanderheiden.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
The 4 fundamental principles defining WCAG are:
Perceivable: Information should be presented in a way that any user can easily understand. Anyone should be able to comprehend the provided information, either audibly or visually.
Operable: Users should be able to handle and navigate the website easily, whether via keyboard or assistive technology.
Understandable: Everything, both structure and content, should be understandable. Users should easily find what they're looking for and understand how your application works.
Robust: Content should be reliably interpreted by a wide range of users, even with assistive technologies, and function across all browsers and devices without issues.
What are the WCAG 2.0 Compliance Levels?
There are 3 compliance levels in the WCAG 2.0 standard for ADA websites: “A”, “AA”, and “AAA”, which improve upon WCAG 1.0. The higher the level (more A's), the more criteria a page must implement.
Examples of ADA Websites
Some examples of ADA websites funded by ESPA and created by Cosmolink are listed below.
Autohealth website for ADA with ESPA funding by Cosmolink
Samos Outdoors website for ADA with ESPA funding by Cosmolink
Frequently Asked Questions about ADA Websites & ESPA
An ADA website to be funded by ESPA requires its compatibility with the WCAG 2.0 AA standard so that it meets accessibility rules.
You can see on our page all the active ESPA open now.
What is accessibility?
Accessibility means people with disabilities can effectively use a website or application like all their peers.
What disabilities does accessibility cover?
Accessibility covers most disabilities related to visual, hearing, cognitive disabilities (e.g., dyslexia, intellectual disabilities), and mobility issues.
What does ESPA require from an ADA website?
ESPA requires your website to comply fully with the WCAG 2.0 standard. This practically means no errors should appear when evaluated by ADA checking tools.
It also requires the ESPA banner to be displayed. The banner should contain the subsidy program file in .pdf format and be immediately visible upon entering the site.
Can any website implement ADA specifications?
Yes, regardless of the technology used to create your website or e-shop, ADA Specifications and the WCAG standard can be applied.
Does an ADA website lag in design aesthetics?
No, an ADA website is designed like any other site depending on the client's needs, sometimes custom and other times with a template. However, the design of all websites is always excellent aesthetically and functionally.
What is the cost for an ADA-compliant website with WCAG 2.0 AA?
The cost for an ADA-compliant website with WCAG 2.0 AA, if implemented via ESPA, is included in the funding amount. The grant for such a site and most ESPA programs is 100%.
Are there free Plugins for ADA sites?
Yes, you can freely convert a website to be ADA-compliant with the WCAG standard, but you need technical knowledge to integrate the plugin into your website.
There are also paid add-ons, which are covered by the ESPA funding amount. If outside of ESPA, the cost at Cosmolink amounts to 500 euros one-time, unlike plugins you pay for every year.
Can a website on Wix or an e-shop on Shopify become ADA compliant?
Yes, all websites and e-shops can be made accessible for ADA according to WCAG specifications, whether on Wix or Shopify, regardless of technology.
The most important thing is that you don't have to repeatedly pay every year for Plugins that cost even after ESPA ends. Contact us if you have any questions.
