Would you make changes if more than a quarter of your website’s visitors need assistance? It should be straightforward. According to the CDC, 26% of people in the United States have some handicap, and many of these impairments make it difficult for people to access digital information.
Businesses may improve the user experience for people with disabilities by using digital accessibility best practices. They may be eligible for additional perks that improve their bottom line.
QualityLogic can help businesses make their content more accessible. They evaluate existing internet information to decide what sort of layout is necessary while establishing an accessible website. The goal is to raise awareness among all staff members about the need to accommodate all users.
Simply Put, What Is Digital Accessibility?
An accessible website or app is one that people with impairments can use with ease. Best practices for accessibility assist people with disabilities in using digital domains in the same way as wheelchair ramps, and Braille signs allow people with disabilities to enter, move around, and use physical sites.
Which Elements Are Required for Digital Availability?
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which “prohibits disability discrimination in the operation of places of public accommodation,” is the major subject of most accessibility issues. It’s also up for debate whether this rule should apply to digital assets. The Americans with Disabilities Act protects businesses that provide online access to their services, such as websites and mobile applications (ADA).
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are primarily recognized as the most comprehensive set of guidelines for making websites and apps accessible. The World Wide Web Consortium’s digital accessibility Initiative resulted in the development of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Accessing digital information may be problematic for those who have sensory, motor, cognitive, neurological, or physical limitations. The following are some examples of potential applications of best practices in each of these disciplines.
Visual
Tagging photographs with different languages and structuring headers properly can help screen readers.
Audio
For audio and video content, closed captions and transcripts are necessary.
Speech
- Allow them to reach you in ways other than talking and entering information outside of the phone.
- Thinking and movement difficulties
- Make the menus and page architecture as simple as possible.
Physical
You should be able to enter data using the keyboard even if you don’t have a mouse.
What Are the Advantages of Going Digital for Businesses?
The most compelling reason is that making your websites and apps accessible is the moral thing to do. Everyone, including persons with disabilities, should have equitable access to online resources. A user-friendly website reduces barriers, allowing all visitors to communicate constructively with your firm.
Your efforts to make your services more accessible may have an impact on the attitudes of your company’s consumers, prospective customers, and employees. Companies that publicly pledge to social responsibility gain more clients. In today’s business world, such “corporate social responsibility” is growing increasingly popular. Users with and without disabilities are more likely to adore your brand if you go above and above to remove barriers and make the experience pleasurable for everybody.
Everyone May Benefit From Increased Digital Accessibility
The best accessible solutions may benefit all users, not just those with permanent disabilities. When was the last time you went for a walk around the gym while listening to closed captions? Consider this a feature that benefits a wide range of individuals, including those with impairments. Accessibility may also help persons who must shift or abruptly curtail their lives.
Consider living with one arm only. This might be because of a physical limitation, such as a broken arm or a recent delivery. Visual aid may benefit cataract sufferers and those distracted behind the wheel. Closed captioning is the most useful feature for many people who have hearing loss. Reading rather than listening is a skill that you will need at some point in your life.
You can use accessibility features without even being aware of them. Our efforts to foster a sense of belonging for everyone will benefit everyone. Furthermore, people with impairments are not expected to have equal access to media as the general population. As a result, we’re all better off.
What Does the Law Really Mean?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) criteria had not been amended at the time this article was written to cover internet accessibility. Instead, the Justice Department maintained its long-held position that internet accessibility is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
However, the ease of online implementation should be considered while evaluating other legislation. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 mandates government departments and agencies to make accessible information available upon request. If they are unable to make the information and data provided by these systems accessible to persons with disabilities, they must make alternate arrangements. Access should be equitable for those with and without disabilities.
The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act was added to the Communications Act of 1934 in 2010. (CCVA). This bill establishes new criteria to ensure that people with disabilities have access to cutting-edge technology. Title I of the Act requires the provision of “advanced” telecommunications equipment and services for people with impairments. Title II of the law mandates the accessibility of TVs, television services, television content, and streaming media.
The European Union now has its own accessibility law, according to the implementation of Directive (EU) 2016/2102 in 2016. A directive is a piece of EU legislation that defines the desired outcome but delegates execution to individual member states.
Summary
The notion of accessibility is a global trend that is changing people’s expectations. As you read this, huge firms like Microsoft are introducing new products that will catapult them to the forefront of their respective industries. Facebook has expanded its capabilities for visually challenged users, such as changing font sizes and better integration with screen readers. Meanwhile, Twitter established an Accessibility Center of Excellence to collaborate with businesses across several industries to make the platform more accessible.
If you’re concerned that your firm is lagging behind in terms of accessibility, contact QualityLogic to see how they can help. You may get a free expert audit of your current tools and suggestions for improving them. To learn more, go to www.qualitylogic.com.
