It is now more crucial than ever for businesses to have a strong online presence with massive technological advancement. Specifically for credit unions, this requires them to provide a website that is not just aesthetically pleasing but also usable by all customers, including those who are disabled. All businesses must make their websites accessible to people with disabilities following the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or face legal repercussions. In this article, we’ll talk about how ADA compliance affects how accessible credit unions’ websites are.
The Importance of Website Design for Accessibility
Making a website accessible depends heavily on the design of the website. A website’s design should be organized in a way that is simple to explore and comprehend. This involves employing distinct headlines, insightful links, and dependable navigation menus.
Furthermore, the requirements of those with impairments should be considered in website design. Screen readers, for instance, may be necessary for those with visual impairments to ease the process of navigating a website. Thus, screen reader-friendly elements like alt text for images and link descriptions should be incorporated into website design.
Common Accessibility Issues in Credit Union Websites
Even though accessibility-friendly website design is crucial, many credit union websites still have common issues. These issues can include the following points:
Lack of Alt-Text for Images
A major accessibility problem on credit union websites is the absence of alternative language, or alt text, for images, which can make it challenging for users with visual impairments to access and interpret the website’s content.
A short, descriptive text alternative known as “alt text” is usually supplied to an image tag in HTML code. When an image on a website is encountered, a screen reader or other assistive technology reads the alt text to the user to describe the image.
Without alt text, people with visual impairments might not be able to comprehend the information contained in an image, such as a commercial or promotional design. This can be especially troublesome on credit union websites because, on the website, graphics are frequently used to convey key information like interest rates, loan terms, or account features.
Inaccessible Forms
Another frequent accessibility problem that can make it difficult or impossible for individuals with disabilities to access and successfully utilize credit union websites is inaccessible forms. Forms can be filled out on credit union websites for a variety of purposes, like creating accounts or applying for loans. Yet if these forms are not made accessible, it may be hard or impossible for people with impairments to utilize them.
The absence of distinct form field labels is a prevalent problem with inaccessible forms. Clear labels for form fields are necessary for screen readers to accommodate users with visual impairments so that they can comprehend the purpose of each field. Web designers should make sure that labels are placed correctly, that they are linked to the appropriate form fields, and that the content is readable.
Poor Color Contrast
The distinction in brightness and color between text and its background is referred to as color contrast. Those with visual impairments or color vision defects may find it difficult or impossible to see the text if the contrast is too low.
For credit union websites, where customers may need to access crucial information like interest rates, loan terms, or account details, poor color contrast can be particularly problematic. It is possible that users with visual impairments won’t be able to access and use the website successfully if this information isn’t displayed in a way that makes it simple for them to get it.
Designers should make sure that text and its background have enough contrast to be easily distinguishable to overcome inadequate color contrast. This can be accomplished by using dark text on a light background or vice versa as well as by avoiding indistinguishable color combinations like red and green.
Final Thoughts
All customers, including those with impairments, should be able to access credit union websites thanks to good website design. Credit unions should make sure that their websites are simple to use and comprehend, regardless of a person’s ability, by adhering to ADA compliance best practices.
It’s critical to give accessibility a top priority when designing websites for credit unions because noncompliance with ADA regulations may have legal repercussions. Credit unions may construct websites that are both aesthetically pleasing and simple to use for all customers by taking into account the needs of people with disabilities and adhering to best practices for website design and accessibility.
