Does Your Portfolio Website Need To Be ADA Compliant?
If you’re a designer, developer, or freelancer with a personal portfolio, you’ve probably wondered - does your website need to meet accessibility standards or be ADA compliant? The short answer: yes, if you want your portfolio to reflect professionalism, reach more people, and stay future-proof.
Even if you’re not legally bound by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an accessible portfolio says a lot about how you design for inclusion. Let’s unpack why and how to make it happen.
Understanding ADA Compliance for Websites
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a U.S. law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. While it originally applied to physical spaces, courts and the Department of Justice have interpreted it to include websites and digital services.
This means that businesses, organizations, and even freelancers offering services online must ensure that their websites are accessible to people with disabilities. In practice, being ADA compliant means following recognized accessibility standards, primarily the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Why Portfolio Websites Should Care About Accessibility
1. It Reflects Your Professional Values
If you’re in a creative or technical field, your website is more than a resume - it’s proof of your skills. A portfolio that meets accessibility standards shows clients you care about user experience, inclusivity, and ethical design.
2. It Expands Your Audience
Accessibility benefits everyone. A site that works well for keyboard users, screen readers, and users with low vision also performs better on mobile devices and in search rankings.
3. It Future-Proofs Your Brand
As accessibility awareness grows, employers and clients increasingly look for designers and developers who understand inclusive design. Having an ADA-compliant portfolio signals that you’re already ahead of the curve.
4. It Reduces Legal Risk
While it’s unlikely an individual portfolio will face a lawsuit, accessibility lawsuits have risen across all industries. It’s better to follow standards now than scramble later if you’re asked about compliance.
How To Make Your Portfolio ADA Compliant
You don’t need a full audit to get started. Begin with these simple steps:
1. Follow WCAG Basics
Start by meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements - the benchmark for most accessibility standards.
Focus on:
Clear color contrast (at least 4.5:1 for text)
Proper heading hierarchy (<h1>, <h2>, <h3>)
Descriptive link text (“View project details” instead of “Click here”)
Keyboard navigability for all sections
Visible focus indicators
2. Add Alt Text and Labels
All portfolio images, icons, and buttons should have meaningful alt text or aria-labels. This ensures screen reader users understand your work and navigation.
3. Make Media Accessible
If you showcase videos or animations, include captions or transcripts. Avoid auto-playing content or fast animations that could cause discomfort.
4. Test With Real Tools
You can test your portfolio using:
These tools help you review accessibility without needing formal expertise.
5. Check PDF or Downloadable Work Samples
If you host design case studies or CVs as PDFs, run PDF accessibility testing to ensure proper tagging, reading order, and alt text. A perfectly designed resume is useless if a screen reader can’t parse it.
Accessibility Is a Skill - Not a Burden
Making your portfolio accessible isn’t just about compliance - it’s about craftsmanship. Accessibility aligns with good design principles: clarity, structure, and empathy. When clients or employers see that in your work, it becomes a differentiator.
How Wally Can Help
At Wally, we help creatives and professionals ensure their personal and business websites meet accessibility standards with ease.
Our team can:
Run detailed accessibility reviews for portfolio sites
Provide clear, designer-friendly remediation steps
Conduct access testing across web and PDF content
Help you align with WCAG and ADA compliance requirements
Your portfolio is your brand - make it accessible to everyone.
Book a free consultation with Wally to ensure your website meets accessibility standards and showcases your inclusive design approach.
