Web accessibility is the practice of designing websites and web applications to allow people with disabilities to access and use them. This includes people with visual or hearing impairments and physical disabilities. Web accessibility is important because it enables people with disabilities to get the necessary information. It can also be good for business, increasing traffic, improving SEO, reducing costs, and increasing customer loyalty.

A common question I get from people is “What do I need to do in order to comply with web accessibility standards?”. The answer is, it really depends on the standard. There are three types of standards for website accessibility and they pertain to different aspects of a website. ADA is American Disabilities Act, Section 508 is a United States law that requires federal agencies and some federal contractors to make their websites accessible, and WCAG is Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

Below you’ll find an overview of these three standards, what they entail, and tips for ensuring your website or web app complies.