How to make your restaurant website accessible to individual with disabilities.
The importance of ADA compliance in the digital space has grown in recent years, as more and more people rely on the internet for information and services.
For restaurant websites, this means ensuring that all content, including PDF menus and other downloadable documents, are accessible to individuals with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets guidelines and standards for making websites and digital content user-friendly for people with various impairments, such as visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor disabilities.
To make PDFs on restaurant websites ADA compliant, the first step is to ensure that the document is structured properly. This includes using appropriate headings, lists, and other formatting elements to create a clear and logical hierarchy of information.
Additionally, using descriptive text for images and links, known as alt text, enables screen readers to convey the content to visually impaired users. Ensuring proper use of tables and providing clear labels for form fields also contribute to a more accessible PDF experience.
Another crucial aspect of creating an ADA-compliant PDF is to ensure that the text is easily readable. This involves using a sufficient font size, choosing a legible typeface, and maintaining optimal contrast between the text and background colors. Furthermore, the document should be navigable using keyboard shortcuts, allowing users with motor impairments to access information without the use of a mouse.
Making PDFs on restaurant websites ADA compliant is essential to ensure that all potential customers have equal access to information and services. By structuring the document properly, using descriptive text, ensuring readability, and enabling keyboard navigation, restaurant owners can create an inclusive online experience for all users. Not only does this demonstrate a commitment to accessibility and social responsibility, but it also helps businesses avoid potential legal ramifications and reach a wider audience.
Christian Stegmaier is chair of Collins & Lacy’s Retail & Hospitality Practice Group in Columbia, South Carolina. With nearly 25 years in practice, Christian maintains a state and national practice representing the leaders in retail, hospitality, live music and entertainment promotion and presentation, amusement and specialty attractions, and private clubs. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, as well as DRI Retail & Hospitality (past chair), Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys, International Amusement & Leisure Defense Association, and CLM. Christian is also an active appellate advocate, having made over 45 appearances before the South Carolina Supreme Court, South Carolina Court of Appeals, and Fourth Circuit in Richmond. Christian can be reached at cstegmaier@collinsandlacy.com or 803-255-0454 (direct) or 803-467-9699 (cell).
