What is an ADA Compliant Website?

Accessibility is About People!

Accessibility aims to make digital technology usable for individuals with disabilities. While checklists, standards, and laws are crucial aids in achieving accessibility, they can sometimes overshadow the fundamental objective: addressing the real-world needs of disabled individuals.

What is Web Accessibility?

Web accessibility embodies the inclusive practice of eliminating barriers that hinder interaction with or access to websites for individuals with disabilities. When websites are appropriately designed, developed, and edited, all users, regardless of their abilities, enjoy equal access to information and functionality.

What does it mean if a website is ADA Compliant?

A website that is fully ADA compliant aligns with the requirements outlined in Section 508 and WCAG 2.2 and later versions. This includes ensuring that not only the HTML or web content but also all Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF documents, audio, video, social media or other materials or linked websites, meet these accessibility standards.

Partial Compliance

Partial compliance may occur when certain components of a website meet accessibility standards, while others do not. For instance, the HTML content of a website might be compliant, while Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF documents, audio, video, social media or other materials are not, or vice versa. It's essential to address and rectify each component to achieve overall accessibility.

What accessibility conformance levels must the State of Nevada Meet?

The State of Nevada is committed to achieving accessibility conformance levels A and AA, while actively striving for AAA compliance. This dedication underscores our commitment to providing inclusive digital experiences for all users, including those with disabilities.

Conformance Level Explanations

Level A

Level A represents the minimum level of conformance in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and later versions. To achieve Level A conformance, a web page must satisfy all the Level A Success Criteria, or a conforming alternate version must be provided.

Level AA

Level AA signifies the medium level of conformance in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and later versions. To achieve Level AA conformance, a web page must satisfy all the Level A and Level AA Success Criteria, or a Level AA conforming alternate version must be provided.

Level AAA

Level AAA represents the highest level of conformance in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and later versions. To achieve Level AAA conformance, a web page must satisfy all the Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA Success Criteria, or a Level AAA conforming alternate version must be provided. While achieving Level AAA conformance indicates the highest level of accessibility and we are striving to meet that goal, it's often not practical or feasible for all content to meet these criteria. Level AAA Success Criteria are more stringent and may require significantly more effort to implement, especially for certain types of content or complex interactions. Some reasons why achieving Level AAA conformance for entire sites may be challenging include:


Complexity of Content: Some types of content, such as interactive features or multimedia presentations, may pose challenges in meeting all Level AAA Success Criteria. Achieving AAA conformance for such content might require substantial resources and may not always be achievable.

Technological Limitations: Certain technologies or platforms may have limitations that make it difficult to meet all Level AAA criteria. For example, older systems or third-party plugins may not fully support certain accessibility features required for AAA conformance.

Impact on User Experience: In some cases, meeting all Level AAA Success Criteria may result in trade-offs with user experience or functionality. Balancing accessibility requirements with usability and functionality considerations is essential to ensure a positive experience for all users.

While striving for accessibility, it's generally recommended to aim for Level AA conformance as a minimum standard. Level AA addresses a wide range of accessibility issues and significantly improves the accessibility of digital content without requiring the extensive resources often needed for Level AAA conformance. 

Severity Explanations

Errors

Errors refer to issues that can be automatically tested and are clear violations of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and later versions. These instances are identified with certainty through automated testing.

Warnings

Warnings are issues that can be automatically tested and represent instances of accessibility best practice violations.

Reviews

Reviews encompass potential failures to meet best practices or success criteria in WCAG, necessitating manual inspection for verification.

Standards and Best Practices