Businesses that integrate accessibility are more likely to be innovative, inclusive enterprises that reach more people with positive brand messaging that meets emerging global legal requirements.
WHAT IS AN ACCESSIBLE WEBSITE?
An accessible website is properly designed and developed (coded) so that people with disabilities can use it. However, many websites are currently developed with accessibility barriers that making them difficult or impossible for some people to use them.
HOW DO I MAKE MY BUSINESS WEBSITE ACCESSIBLE
There are a plethora of requirements that go into creating a website that is accessible for visitors with disabilities.
The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) develops technical specifications, guidelines, techniques and supporting resources that describe accessibility solutions. WCAG 2.0 is an ISO standard: ISO/IEC 40500. WCAG 2.1 is the current standard with three levels: Level A (minimal compliance), Level AA (acceptable compliance) and Level AAA (optimal compliance) WCAG 2.1 Level AA is required meet legal ADA Compliance.
Some aspects of accessibility are fairly easy to understand and implement. Other accessibility solutions are more complex and require advanced knowledge to implement. The best approach to accessibility with a website is to incorporate accessibility in the very beginning of the project and build the website properly with accessibility being a major priority in the website design and development.
Some visitors have mobility issues that prevent them from using a mouse so they need to be able to navigate the website using a keyboard.
Other visitors may have vision issues and cannot read text unless it’s larger or has a substantial contrast between the color of the text and the background of 4.5:1.
Many disabled visitors to your business website are relying on and using a screen reader to visit your business website.
WHY DOES MY BUSINESS NEED AN ACCESSIBLE WEBSITE?
The web is fundamentally designed to work for all people, regardless of their hardware, software, location or ability. Therefore your website needs to be accessible to people with a diverse range of hearing, movement, sight and cognitive ability.
The Web is important for individuals, Businesses and Society. The Web is increasingly relied upon in many aspects of life such as education, employment, government, commerce, health care, recreation and much more.
The Web offers the possibility of unprecedented access to information and interaction for many people with disabilities. Web technologies offers options to overcome accessibility barriers that are prevalent in print, audio and visual media.
Businesses that integrate accessibility are more likely to be innovative, inclusive enterprises that reach more people with positive brand messaging that meets emerging global legal requirements.
For businesses, accessible web design improves overall user experience and satisfaction, especially when you take into consideration users with different devices as well as older users. Having an accessible website can enhance your brand, drive innovation and extend your market research.
Web accessibility is required by law in many situations.
