As we navigate the vast expanse of the internet, it’s easy to forget that not everyone experiences it in the same way. For many of us, browsing the web is a seamless and intuitive experience. But for others, it can be a frustrating and exclusionary one.
That’s where accessibility comes in – the practice of designing and building digital products that are usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities. It’s about creating a digital world that’s inclusive, equitable, and just plain better for all of us.
The Business Case for Accessibility
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of accessibility, let’s talk about the business case. Why should companies care about making their websites and apps more accessible?
For starters, accessibility is good for business. It opens up your digital products to a wider audience, including the millions of people around the world who live with disabilities. That’s a huge market opportunity – one that companies can’t afford to ignore.
But accessibility isn’t just about expanding your customer base. It’s also about reducing legal risk. In many countries, accessibility is no longer just a nice-to-have – it’s a must-have. Companies that fail to make their digital products accessible can face costly lawsuits and damage to their brand reputation.
The Human Case for Accessibility
However, the case for accessibility goes far beyond business and legal considerations. It’s also about creating a more just and equitable society.
When we design digital products that are accessible, we’re not just making them usable by people with disabilities – we’re also making them more usable by everyone. We’re creating products that are more intuitive, more user-friendly, and more empowering.
And that’s a fundamental human right – the right to access information, to communicate, and to participate in the digital economy.
The Principles of Accessibility
So, how do we make digital products more accessible? It all starts with the four principles of accessibility:
1. Perceivable: Can users perceive the content and interface of your digital product?
2. Operable: Can users navigate and interact with your digital product?
3. Understandable: Is the content and interface of your digital product clear and understandable?
4. Robust: Can your digital product be used by a wide range of users, including those with assistive technologies?
These principles are the foundation of accessibility. They’re the guidelines that help us create digital products that are truly inclusive and usable by all.
The Practice of Accessibility
So, how do we put these principles into practice? Here are a few strategies to get you started:
1. Use clear and simple language: Avoid using jargon or technical terms that might confuse users.
2. Provide alternative text for images: This helps users who are blind or have low vision to understand the content of your digital product.
3. Make your interface intuitive: Use clear and consistent navigation and design patterns.
4. Test with assistive technologies: Ensure your digital product works with screen readers, keyboard-only navigation, and other assistive technologies.
How accessibility is important to Website designers. They can ensure a site is accessible to all by following these best practices:
1. Follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): Implement WCAG 2.1 guidelines, which provide a comprehensive framework for accessibility.
2. Use semantic HTML: Write clean, semantic HTML code to ensure screen readers and assistive technologies can interpret content correctly.
3. Provide alternative text for images: Use alt text to describe images, enabling screen readers to convey visual content to users with visual impairments.
4. Ensure keyboard navigation: Allow users to navigate the site using only their keyboard, helping those with mobility or dexterity impairments.
5. Use clear and consistent navigation: Organize content logically and use consistent navigation patterns to facilitate easy access.
6. Test with assistive technologies: Verify site functionality with screen readers, keyboard-only navigation, and other assistive tools.
7. Conduct user testing: Engage users with disabilities in testing to identify and address accessibility barriers.
Here are the downsides of not practising accessibility:
1. Exclusion of potential customers: Inaccessible sites can alienate users with disabilities, resulting in lost business opportunities.
2. Legal repercussions: Failure to comply with accessibility regulations, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), can lead to lawsuits and fines.
3. Damage to brand reputation: Inaccessible sites can harm a company’s reputation and credibility, deterring users and potential customers.
4. Search engine optimization (SEO) issues: Inaccessible sites may be penalized by search engines, negatively impacting visibility and rankings.
5. Missed opportunities for innovation: Accessibility considerations can drive innovative solutions, which may be overlooked if accessibility is neglected.
