Agent Image

All about Americans with Disability Act (ADA)

Training Objectives/Goals

At the end of this session, you will understand what ADA means and what we do to comply with standards.

Overview

Agent Image is committed to aligning with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by developing and maintaining websites that adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1)—the current industry standard for web accessibility. The ADA mandates equal access for individuals with disabilities, prohibiting discrimination in employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications.

Why Web Accessibility Matters

People with disabilities navigate the web in various ways:

Blind users rely on screen readers, which convert text into speech.
Deaf or hard-of-hearing users benefit from captioning.
Users with motor disabilities may use voice recognition software instead of a mouse.
Poorly designed websites can create unnecessary barriers, just as physical obstacles like stairs prevent wheelchair access. Ensuring accessibility removes these barriers, allowing all users to engage with online content effectively.

What are the Levels of WCAG Compliance?

There are three levels of WCAG compliance: A, AA, and AAA.

Level A – Minimal compliance
Level AA – Standard compliance (most widely adopted)
Level AAA – Optimal compliance

What level do we use for our Agent Image sites?

Agent Image Compliance Standards

October 1, 2016 – October 31, 2021 → Level A (Free)
November 1, 2021 – Present → Level AA (Free)
Legacy Sites (Pre-October 2016) → Requires a Basecamp quote

How do I make sure the site I am building is ADA-compliant?

Our production team follows an ADA compliance checklist during the homepage conversion and site launch.

Pro Tip! I recommend queueing a task for VIP clients to FEWD to ensure nothing was missed. VIP clients are the ones under scrutiny, so let’s double-check.

Limitations:

Agent Image websites use 3rd party IDX plugins like IDX Broker and iHomefinder . Should clients require compliance for their IDX pages, they may have to purchase a paid accessibility checker such as Accessibe . Put an inquiry in Basecamp.
The sites are only compliant at the time of launch. A new audit will be required to ensure compliance with additional content.

Agent Image provides a free Accessibility Widget on all sites, ensuring Level A and AA compliance.

Got questions?

Your managers are happy to help! Slack us!