for a button, you have to manually add role=”button”, tabindex=”0″, and keyboard event handlers. You’ve just tripled your work and introduced points of failure. Write clean, semantic HTML first. The styling comes after.
Design for the Keyboard and the Screen
Can you use every interactive element on your site with just the Tab key? Does a visible focus indicator show where you are? I test this by unplugging my mouse. If I get lost, trapped, or can’t reach a modal dialog to close it, the site is broken. Keyboard navigation isn’t just for blind users; it’s for people with motor disabilities, power users, and anyone who prefers it. Managing focus programmatically in single-page apps is critical and often overlooked.
Audit with Humans, Not Just Bots
Automated tools like axe-core or WAVE are fantastic for catching missing alt text or color contrast errors. But they can’t tell you if your form error messages make sense to a screen reader user, or if your complex data table is navigable. You need manual testing. In 2026, this is easier than ever. Partner with organizations that provide testers with disabilities, or use specialized services that connect you with real users. Their feedback is the only way to understand the actual user experience.
Accessibility isn’t a feature you add. It’s a quality you build in. If your development process doesn’t include it from the first wireframe, you’re not building a website—you’re building a liability.
— Abdul Vasi, Digital Strategist
Common Approach vs Better Approach
| Aspect |
Common Approach |
Better Approach |
| Testing |
Run an automated scanner a week before launch, generate a report, and try to fix the errors. |
Integrate automated testing into your CI/CD pipeline and budget for quarterly manual testing with users who have disabilities. |
| Visual Design |
Design for aesthetics first, then check if colors meet contrast ratios. |
Establish an accessible color palette and typography scale in the design system before any page is designed. |
| Component Development |
Build for functionality, then see if it’s accessible. |
Define accessibility requirements (keyboard, ARIA, focus) as part of the component’s definition of “done.” |
| Content Management |
Train content editors on the CMS, hope they remember alt text. |
Build alt text and proper heading structure into the CMS as required fields, with clear guidance. |
| Mindset |
“We need to be compliant to avoid lawsuits.” |
“We need to be accessible to serve all our customers well.” It’s a business and ethical imperative, not just legal. |
Looking Ahead: development for ADA compliance in 2026
The landscape is shifting from reactive to proactive. First, AI-powered auditing tools are getting better at catching nuanced issues, but they’re becoming assistants, not replacements for human judgment. They’ll flag potential problems in your code as you write it, shifting testing left in the development cycle.
Second, the legal standard is crystallizing. While there’s still no single federal ADA website regulation, WCAG 2.2 (and the emerging 3.0) is the de facto benchmark courts use. In 2026, arguing that you didn’t know the standards won’t fly. Building to WCAG 2.2 AA is the baseline cost of entry for any serious business.
Finally, I’m seeing a move toward “born accessible” frameworks and component libraries. Developers won’t have to remember every ARIA attribute; they’ll choose from pre-built, rigorously tested UI kits where accessibility is baked in. The smart teams are investing in these systems now, because rebuilding later is a financial sinkhole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WCAG 2.2 AA compliance enough to avoid lawsuits?
It’s your strongest defense. While no law guarantees immunity, courts consistently use WCAG as the measure of accessibility. Achieving and documenting 2.2 AA conformance shows due diligence, which is critical in any legal challenge.
How much do you charge compared to agencies?
I charge approximately 1/3 of what traditional agencies charge, with more personalized attention and faster execution. Agency models have high overhead; I work directly with you, focusing on efficient, integrated development for ADA compliance from the start.
Can I just use an accessibility overlay plugin?
No. Overlays are a contentious band-aid that often create more problems than they solve. They can interfere with assistive tech, fail to address core code issues, and have been explicitly cited as insufficient in numerous lawsuits. Proper compliance requires fixing the source code.
How long does a full website audit and remediation take?
For a typical 50-page business site, a thorough audit and core remediation takes 40-60 hours. Complex e-commerce or web applications can take 100+ hours. The timeline depends entirely on the quality of the existing codebase. A messy foundation means more work.
Do I need to make old PDFs on my site accessible?
If they are essential for conducting business or accessing services, yes. For 2026, the best practice is to remediate critical PDFs or, better yet, republish the content as an accessible HTML page. For archival PDFs, provide a contact method for accessible alternatives.
Look, by 2026, accessibility won’t be a niche concern for developers—it will be a standard part of professional web development. The question isn’t if you should do it, but how well you can integrate it into your workflow. Start your next project with semantic HTML and keyboard navigation as non-negotiable requirements. Audit your existing site with a mix of tools and human testers. This isn’t about avoiding lawsuits; it’s about building better, more resilient products that work for everyone. That’s just good business.
