You cannot avoid creating emails that are unreadable and inaccessible to some people. Some brands are not caring and some people cannot use marketing campaigns because of various disabilities: a loss of vision, motor skill problems, and cognitive disabilities.
Every email marketer can use an email builder to apply and comply with some of the principles of ADA and email accessible guidelines. This guide outlines the necessary steps to be inclusive and effective and to comply with the new standards in email accessibility.
Why Email Accessibility Matters
Enhancing User Experience for All
Every subscriber should be given the chance to work with your materials. When you adhere to ADA compliance email marketing, you are helping to make your design and format work for users of screen readers, other assistive devices, and users with different cognitive abilities. Good accessibility means more than simply compliance; it means more to you in terms of increased opens, more clicks, and a flow of trust.
Business and Legal Benefits
Reliably following email accessibility guidelines can help avoid compliance problems and enhance reputation. Lack of accessibility in terms of poor contrast, vague CTAs, and missing alt text can be eliminated with the help of a checklist based on email accessibility.
Prioritizing accessibility leads to greater alignment with email accessibility standards, and helps campaigns effectively reach diverse audiences.
Best Practices for Email Accessibility
The following email accessibility best practices can be employed for both usability and compliance:
- Choose appropriate font sizes and easy-to-read text.
- For every image used, include appropriate alt text.
- Ensure the color contrast strength is good.
- Use appropriate headings to help with the organization of the content.
- Ensure that the buttons and links can be accessed by keyboard.
All these practices contribute to email accessibility standards and compliance for the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Email Accessibility Checklist
The following email accessibility checklist will help you implement some actionable refinements quickly and consistently:
- Use appropriate HTML elements: Correct headings and labels guide screen readers to navigate the content, respecting email accessibility standards.
- Write with accessibility best practices in mind: Simple and plain language helps every reader and is consistent with the email accessibility best practices.
- Use alt text: Image descriptions are important for ADA-compliant email marketing.
- Evaluate contrast level: Sufficient contrast aids reading and fulfills most email accessibility requirements.
- Email is differentially accessible: Accessibility is device independent so email be tested for different device sizes with respect to email accessibility standards.
- Use ARIA labels: These are necessary for interactive components and are mandated by most email accessibility standards.
- Conduct Automated Tests: Use the features provided in your email builder to ensure adherence to email accessibility best practices.
The Depth and Breadth of Email Accessibility Standards
WCAG & ADA Standards
The current state of email accessibility standards is shaped by the ADA and WCAG guidelines. WCAG details specific regulations regarding contrast, alt text, structural hierarchy, and readability. ADA standards require all businesses to provide accessible forms of digital communication. Therefore, ADA compliance requests in email marketing is a legal necessity and also provides a positive inclusive experience.
The Reason Standards Are Barrier Free
A focus on these standards means that your campaign will work with all sorts of assistive technology. It doesn’t matter if you are designing a CTA button or setting a font; every small change you make to an email using email accessibility guidelines is likely to affect a real person. Following these guidelines means more of your subscribers can enjoy your emails.
The Contribution of Tools and Technology
A good email builder makes it easier to follow the email accessibility best practices. Most email services have contrast checkers, semantic layout planners, ARIA labeling, and mobile previewing. This is how email marketers can ensure they are not only compliant with Elementary ADA compliance email marketing, but also compliant with all email accessibility best practices without knowing how to code.
Automated scanning tools even tell you problems with your email accessibility checklist, so compliance moving forward will be much easier. As expectations grow with this industry, the email accessibility technology will only get better on a global scale.
Conclusion
Email accessibility is much more than a technicality. We owe it to subscribers to ensure they all have the same level of experience. Using an email builder, adhering to the ADA compliance email marketing guidelines, and applying email accessibility best practices consistently will allow brands to develop campaigns to touch more lives, perform better, and make a real difference.
A robust email accessibility checklist to get you to the core email accessibility standards means you don’t have to sacrifice readability, compliance, nor quality to make an email accessible. With the right mindset, accessibility is a powerful touchpoint.
