8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an ADA Compliance Agency

When making your website accessible for all users, partnering with a reputable ADA compliance agency is crucial. These agencies ensure that your website meets the standards outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). With the growing number of accessibility lawsuits and an increased focus on inclusivity, choosing the right agency for your needs is essential.

But with so many options, how do you know which ADA compliance company best fits you? The solution lies in asking the right questions. In this blog post, we’ll explore eight key web accessibility questions to help you select an ADA compliance agency that satisfies your needs and delivers the best value for your investment.

Why You Need an ADA Compliance Agency

Ensuring your website’s ADA compliance is a complicated process that requires expertise and attention to detail. Many factors must be considered, from navigating the technical requirements of WCAG to understanding the legal implications of non-compliance. Working with an experienced ADA website compliance company can help you navigate these challenges and ensure your website adheres to accessibility standards.

Additionally, partnering with an agency can offer peace of mind by mitigating potential legal risks associated with non-compliance. With the rise in accessibility lawsuits, it’s crucial to have experts on your side who can proactively recognize and address any issues before they result in costly litigation. Furthermore, making your website accessible ensures compliance and enriches the user experience for all visitors, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

8 Essential Questions to Ask an ADA Compliance Agency

Now that we comprehend the importance of working with an ADA compliance company let’s examine the eight key questions you should ask when considering potential agencies. These questions will help you assess their expertise, approach, tools, and post-remediation support and make an informed decision.

1. What Experience Do You Have with ADA Compliance?

First and foremost, it’s essential to understand the level of expertise an ADA compliance agency brings. Ask about their experience providing accessibility services and their knowledge of WCAG guidelines. Ideally, you want to work with an agency with several years of experience in this field. Additionally, look for relevant certifications or accreditations demonstrating their commitment to staying updated with industry standards and best practices.

Working with an experienced ADA compliance company not only ensures they have a deep understanding of accessibility but also gives you confidence in their ability to handle your specific needs effectively. They will be familiar with common website accessibility issues and have the tools and strategies to address them promptly.

2. What Types of Websites and Platforms Do You Work With?

It’s crucial to ensure that the agency you choose has experience working with websites similar to yours. If you use a particular platform or content management system (CMS), ensure they are familiar with it. Ask for examples of their previous work on platforms like WordPress, Shopify, or custom builds.

Additionally, if your website includes e-commerce capabilities, ask about their experience making online stores accessible. This is especially important as e-commerce sites often have complex elements and functionality that may require specialized expertise in accessibility.

3. How Do You Conduct Accessibility Audits?

Conducting an accessibility audit is a crucial first step in making your website ADA-compliant. It involves evaluating your website’s code, design, and content to pinpoint any barriers that may prevent users with disabilities from accessing and utilizing your site effectively.

When choosing an ADA compliance agency, it’s essential to understand its audit process. Look for agencies that conduct thorough audits using automated tools, manual testing, and user feedback. Automated tools can help identify common accessibility issues quickly, while manual testing allows for more detailed examination of elements requiring human expertise. User feedback provides valuable insights into how people with disabilities navigate and engage with your website.

A comprehensive audit ensures that all accessibility issues are identified and addressed, creating a more inclusive website for all users.

4. What Tools and Methods Do You Use for Accessibility Audits?

Knowing the tools and methods an ADA compliance agency uses during its audit process is crucial for understanding its approach to accessibility. Some standard tools include automated scans that check for HTML errors, contrast issues, and keyboard navigation. Usability testing involves having individuals with disabilities navigate your website and provide feedback on their experience.

An agency may also conduct manual checks, in which experts review your site’s code and design in detail to identify potential barriers. Combining these approaches ensures a thorough evaluation of your website’s accessibility level.

5. How Do You Address Accessibility Beyond Automated Testing?

While automated testing is a helpful tool in identifying potential accessibility issues, it should not be the only method used. Relying solely on ADA scan tools can result in overlooking specific barriers that may only be determined through manual testing by experts or users with disabilities.

It’s crucial to inquire about an agency’s approach to addressing accessibility beyond automated testing. A complete strategy should include a combination of automated and manual testing, as well as input from individuals with disabilities. This ensures that all aspects of your website are evaluated and any barriers are addressed.

6. What Accessibility Standards Do You Follow?

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are internationally recognized standards for web accessibility. Choosing an ADA compliance agency that follows these guidelines and stays current with any updates or revisions is essential.

The most recent version is WCAG 2.1, but new updates are expected shortly with WCAG 2.2. Ask the agency which version they follow and their plan for staying updated with any changes. Staying current with evolving accessibility standards is crucial for ensuring your website remains compliant and accessible to all users.

7. What Happens After Remediation Is Complete?

Remediating accessibility issues on your website is not a one-time task; it requires steady maintenance and support to ensure it remains accessible to all users. Ask the ADA compliance agency about their plan for post-remediation support, such as periodic audits or updates.

It’s also essential to have a long-term plan for maintaining accessibility compliance. This may include regular reviews of new content or updates to ensure they are accessible and up-to-date with evolving accessibility standards. A comprehensive approach will help you avoid potential legal issues and ensure your site remains inclusive and accessible. So, when choosing an ADA compliance agency, ensure they offer ongoing support and have a long-term plan.

By working closely with an agency that follows best practices and stays updated on accessibility standards, you can ensure your website remains accessible to all users. Remember, accessibility is not only a legal requirement but also the right thing to do to create an inclusive online community. When selecting an ADA compliance agency, remember these key questions, and choose one that can help you make your website accessible to everyone.

8. Can You Share Success Stories or Case Studies?

Requesting success stories or case studies from an ADA compliance agency can provide valuable insights into their project history and ability to achieve results. Ask for examples of past projects they have worked on and feedback from clients.

Success stories and case studies showcase the agency’s capabilities and give you a better understanding of how they approach accessibility and its impact on their clients’ websites. This information can help you make a more informed decision about choosing an agency to help with your website’s accessibility needs.

Overall, thoroughly researching and asking the right questions when selecting an ADA compliance agency is crucial for ensuring your website’s accessibility. By understanding their audit process, tools and methods used, approach to addressing accessibility, adherence to standards, post-remediation support, and track record of success, you can choose an agency to help make your website accessible for all users.  So don’t hesitate to ask these questions and gather all the necessary information before deciding. Your site and its users will thank you for it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing an ADA Compliance Agency

Choosing the right ADA compliance agency is paramount for ensuring your website is accessible to all users. However, businesses often make some common mistakes when selecting an agency. These mistakes can lead to incomplete compliance or even legal issues later.

One of the most common mistakes is focusing solely on price when choosing an ADA compliance agency. While it’s understandable to want to save money, choosing a cheaper option may result in subpar services and incomplete accessibility remediation. It’s important to remember that achieving accurate accessibility compliance requires expertise and resources, which may come at a higher cost.

Another mistake to avoid is relying entirely on automated tools to evaluate your website’s accessibility. While these tools can be helpful, they cannot detect all accessibility issues and may lead to a false sense of compliance. It’s crucial to choose an agency that includes manual testing and input from individuals with disabilities.

It’s also common to neglect to research an agency’s expertise. Before deciding, it’s important to thoroughly review an agency’s credentials, experience, and track record. An agency that lacks proper knowledge and experience may not be able to remediate all accessibility issues on your website effectively.

What to Expect from an ADA Compliance Company

A reliable ADA compliance agency should provide a range of services beyond identifying and fixing accessibility issues on your website. These services should include a detailed audit, a tailored remediation plan, and ongoing accessibility support.

During the audit phase, the agency should thoroughly evaluate your website for potential accessibility barriers. This may involve both automated tools and manual testing by individuals with disabilities to ensure all issues are identified. The agency should then provide you with a comprehensive report highlighting the areas that need improvement and outlining their remediation plan.

The remediation plan should be tailored to your website’s needs and address all identified accessibility issues. Choosing an agency that takes a proactive approach rather than just making quick fixes is essential. This ensures that your website remains accessible and compliant with evolving accessibility standards.

A good ADA compliance agency should offer remediation, ongoing support, and monitoring services. Websites constantly evolve; new content or updates can introduce new accessibility barriers. Ongoing support helps ensure your website remains accessible and adheres to current standards.

Why Choose Oyova as Your ADA Compliance Agency

When choosing an ADA compliance agency, Oyova is a trusted partner for all your accessibility needs. With years of experience and a team of experts, we are dedicated to helping businesses achieve accurate accessibility compliance.

At Oyova, we understand that every website is unique and requires a tailored approach to address accessibility issues. That’s why we provide detailed audits and customized remediation plans for each client’s requirements. Our team combines automated tools with manual testing by individuals with disabilities to ensure a thorough evaluation of your website.

But our ADA services don’t end there. We also offer ongoing support and monitoring to ensure your website remains accessible and compliant with evolving standards. Our proactive approach ensures that your website is always accessible to all users.

Don’t choose an ADA compliance agency solely based on price or relying on automated tools. Trust Oyova’s expertise and dedication to providing comprehensive accessibility solutions. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step towards making your website accessible to all users. So, don’t wait any longer—get in touch with Oyova and let us help you achieve actual accessibility compliance.