At Nashville Web Solutions, we have seen firsthand how many businesses in Middle Tennessee are overlooking a critical component of their websites: accessibility. If your site is not ADA compliant, it is not just an inconvenience for users with disabilities — it is a legal and financial risk. ADA compliance is not optional anymore. It is urgent, it is enforceable, and it affects your bottom line.
What ADA Compliance Means for Your Website
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses to provide equal access to all individuals, including those with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities. When it comes to digital spaces like websites, this means ensuring your site can be accessed by people who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, voice control, and other assistive technologies.
Compliance is typically measured using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These standards define how to make content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for everyone, not just the average user.
What Happens If You're Not Compliant
If your website is not accessible, you are exposed to serious legal consequences. We are talking about lawsuits, demand letters, settlements, and the reputational damage that comes with them. Small and medium-sized businesses across the country — and right here in Tennessee — are being targeted.
ADA-related web lawsuits are increasing year over year. Many are filed by serial plaintiffs who scan websites for violations, then send out mass complaints. And under current law, ignorance is not a defense.
Common Accessibility Barriers
If your site has any of the following issues, it's likely non-compliant:
- Missing or inaccurate alt text on images
- Poor color contrast that makes text unreadable
- No keyboard navigation support
- Videos without captions or transcripts
- Forms that are not labeled for screen readers
- Flashing content that can trigger seizures
These are not obscure technical details. They are everyday usability problems that exclude millions of people.
How to Evaluate Your Website
Start with an audit. Automated tools like WAVE, Axe, and Google Lighthouse can identify some issues, but they do not catch everything. A manual audit by a professional is essential, especially one that understands the WCAG 2.1 standards and how to apply them in real-world design scenarios.
At Nashville Web Solutions, we provide accessibility evaluations tailored to your website's technology stack, content, and audience. We identify compliance gaps, prioritize fixes, and offer actionable recommendations.
Designing for Accessibility from the Ground Up
Accessibility is not an add-on layer. It needs to be baked into the design and development process from the beginning. That means:
- Using sufficient color contrast ratios
- Writing descriptive and concise alt text
- Ensuring all interactive elements can be accessed by keyboard
- Labeling form fields clearly
- Avoiding auto-play media and pop-ups that trap focus
- Structuring content with proper headings and semantic HTML
We follow these best practices as standard procedure, not as add-ons.
Maintaining Compliance Is Not One-and-Done
ADA compliance is not a project with a finish line. Your website evolves, and every update, content change, or feature launch is an opportunity for something to break. That is why ongoing monitoring is essential.
We help our clients implement accessibility monitoring tools and train their staff on how to keep content compliant as it's added. We also offer regular re-audits and update support to keep your site aligned with evolving standards.
It's Not Just About Risk — It's Good for Business
Accessible websites perform better — period. They rank higher in search engines, convert more visitors, and improve overall user satisfaction. When your site is easy to navigate, readable on any device, and usable by everyone, you expand your audience and reinforce your brand as inclusive and professional.
For businesses in the Nashville area, this is also about maintaining a good reputation. Tennessee is a community-focused state. Making your digital space accessible tells your customers, neighbors, and partners that you care.
If your business website is not ADA compliant today, it should be tomorrow. Reach out to Nashville Web Solutions, and let's get your digital presence where it needs to be — legally, ethically, and competitively.
Let's make the web better for everyone. Starting with yours.
