Today, the internet is, no doubt, an essential part of our daily lives, with websites serving as gateways to information and services. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that everyone can enjoy equal access to all of its benefits. And this is where web accessibility comes in.
What is Web Accessibility?
Web accessibility is about how can we make websites and digital platforms easy to use for individuals with disabilities, such as visual or auditory impairments. This includes ensuring website content is easily accessible and understandable to those using assistive technologies like screen readers or keyboard navigation.
Why is Web Accessibility important?
Web accessibility is already a legal requirement in many countries, and it also provides equal access to digital platforms for people with disabilities, ensuring that, regardless of their abilities, everyone has the opportunity to participate in the digital world. In the same time, is enhancing the user experience for all website visitors, making it easier for everyone to find the information they need.
The importance of web accessibility extends to businesses as well.
Businesses can also benefit from web accessibility. By making their websites and digital platforms accessible, companies can improve their reputation, increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, reach a wider audience, reduce the risk of legal issues, and enhance search engine optimization (SEO). Accessible websites can also attract a more diverse and inclusive workforce, which leads to multiple benefits for businesses. Investing in web accessibility promotes equal opportunities and diversity in the digital world.
How to make a website accessible?
So, what it takes to make a website accessible? Some of the following steps could help:
Providing alternative text for images
Ensuring text can be resized without losing functionality
Ensuring text and background colours have a high contrast ratio
Including captions and audio descriptions for videos
Making forms navigable using keyboard controls
Conduct a Web Accessibility audit
To better integrate these steps, you can conduct a web accessibility audit. It can help you identify barriers to access and ensure a website or digital platform is fully accessible. The audit helps you understand the necessary changes to make the website usable by as many people as possible and avoids potential legal issues. It also creates an inclusive environment for users. Effective audits utilize the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) framework.
It is important to note that accessibility audits are not limited to screen readers. Accessibility extends beyond this aspect and the goal is to make the internet usable for everyone, including those with temporary disabilities.
International standard for Web Accessibility
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the leading standards for digital accessibility and provide a comprehensive solution. The latest publication, WCAG 2.1, features 78 success criteria organized by level and covers everything from headings to ARIA implementation. These guidelines aim to improve accessibility for all internet users, regardless of their method of access.
WCAG offers three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA.
Level A conformance indicates limited barriers to accessibility but may still result in some difficulties during the browsing experience.
Level AA websites are considered reasonably accessible to a wide range of users, and most websites should aim for this level.
Level AAA websites must conform to all the success criteria in WCAG, with some exceptions for certain types of content.
A web accessibility audit will help create a remediation plan to reach the desired level of conformance. Embrace inclusivity and take the first step towards a more accessible digital world. Don't hesitate to reach out to Negebu for the expert support you need to make your website accessible and welcoming to all.
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