The short answer is yes. But here's a little more background on it:
ADA compliance mandates that digital platforms, including eCommerce websites, be accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes making sure that all content is perceivable, operable, and understandable by users with varying abilities. For instance, features such as screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and alternative text for images are essential components of a compliant UX design. By prioritizing accessibility, businesses not only broaden their customer base but also foster a more inclusive online environment. This inclusivity enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty, as all users can navigate and shop on the website without facing barriers.
Neglecting ADA compliance can have serious legal and financial consequences. Recently, there has been a sharp increase in lawsuits against eCommerce businesses that fail to provide accessible websites. Big names like Target and Domino's have faced high-profile lawsuits, leading to costly settlements and damage to their reputations. Not complying with ADA standards doesn't just put businesses at risk of legal action; it can also result in hefty fines and the expensive task of making their sites accessible after the fact. By incorporating ADA compliance into UX design from the beginning, businesses can avoid these pitfalls and create a more user-friendly and inclusive online shopping experience.
So what does this mean for your business? At the very least run your website through any widely available compliance checkers to see if your site has any glaring issues. If you're on Shopify, then you most likely have a theme that's compliant, but as well all know your design goes on top of it and that's where majority of the issues typically are.
If you're going through a redesign as you read this, make sure to ask your designer to confirm that any UX being worked on is compliant at least to the very base level. But the bast solution is going with a third party partner that will not only ensure compliancy, but also take on responsibility should a lawsuit occur. If you need help selecting the right partner or would like to audit your site for ADA issues - send us an email and we'll be happy to look into it.
