Website Accessibility: Why ADA Compliance Matters for Kentucky Businesses

Website accessibility lawsuits are increasing dramatically. In 2023, over 4,000 federal website accessibility lawsuits were filed against businesses, including many small companies. Kentucky businesses aren’t exempt from these legal risks. Beyond legal compliance, accessibility is good business: roughly 26% of Americans have some form of disability. An inaccessible website literally turns away customers and opens your Northern Kentucky business to legal liability.

At Marvelous Developments, serving Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, we build accessible WordPress websites that comply with WCAG standards while remaining visually appealing and functional. Accessibility doesn’t mean boring or compromised design. It means thoughtful design that works for everyone. Here’s what Kentucky businesses need to know about website accessibility and ADA compliance.

Understanding ADA Website Requirements

The Americans with Disabilities Act doesn’t explicitly mention websites, but courts increasingly interpret Title III as applying to websites of public accommodations. The Department of Justice references WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) as the technical standard. For Kentucky businesses, this means your website should meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, the generally accepted compliance benchmark.

WCAG compliance covers four principles: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Perceivable means all users can perceive content through sight, hearing, or touch. Operable means all users can navigate and interact with the site. Understandable means content and functionality are clear. Robust means the site works across different technologies, including assistive devices like screen readers. These principles translate into specific technical requirements.

Essential Accessibility Features for Cincinnati Sites

Several accessibility features are critical for Northern Kentucky business websites. Alternative text for all images describes visual content to screen reader users. Sufficient color contrast ensures text is readable for users with visual impairments—text should have at least a 4.5:1 contrast ratio with backgrounds. Keyboard navigation allows users who can’t use a mouse to navigate your entire site using only keyboard commands. Form labels must be properly associated with input fields so screen readers can identify them.

Video content requires captions for deaf or hard-of-hearing users. Heading structure must be logical and hierarchical, helping screen reader users understand content organization. Link text should be descriptive—”learn more about our services” instead of “click here.” These requirements improve usability for everyone, not just users with disabilities. Clear headings, good contrast, and descriptive links make websites easier to use for all Cincinnati-area customers.

Alt text: Descriptive text for all images
Color contrast: Sufficient contrast between text and backgrounds
Keyboard navigation: Full site accessibility without a mouse
Form labels: Properly associated with all input fields

Implementing Accessibility in WordPress

WordPress makes accessibility easier with built-in features and accessibility-ready themes. Choose themes specifically marked as accessibility-ready in the WordPress theme directory. Use plugins like WP Accessibility or Accessibility Checker to identify and fix issues. When adding content, WordPress prompts you to add alt text to images—always complete this step with meaningful descriptions.

Regular accessibility audits identify issues before they become problems. Tools like WAVE and axe DevTools scan your site for accessibility violations. Consider professional accessibility testing with actual assistive technology users. For Northern Kentucky businesses, accessibility isn’t just about avoiding lawsuits—it’s about serving all customers equally. At Marvelous Developments, we build accessibility into every WordPress website from the start, ensuring Cincinnati-area businesses are protected legally while providing excellent user experience for all visitors, regardless of ability. An accessible website is simply a better website for everyone.