What does accessibility mean?
Also known as web accessibility, the term accessibility means web pages, entire websites, technologies, and related tools are developed and designed in a way that people with disabilities are able to use them without issue. Use, in this case, refers to the ability to perceive, navigate, make sense of, interact with, and contribute to.
Accessibility makes provisions for all forms of disabilities that may affect how a person accesses websites and related tools, including:
- Cognitive
- Auditory
- Physical
- Neurological
- Visual
- Speech
But accessibility does not only help people with disabilities. It also benefits:
- People using devices with smaller screens and input methods such as mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, and smart TVs
- Older individuals experiencing aging-related changes in their abilities
- People who are temporarily disabled by things such as injuries or missing eyeglasses
- People are limited by their surroundings, such as in areas exposed to bright sunlight or places where it is impossible to listen to audio
- People with no access to a fast and affordable internet connection
If you wish to learn more about this topic, check out the FAQ section below:
Question #1: Why is accessibility important?
Accessibility is important because it provides everyone with equal access to things such as employment, education, commerce, recreation, healthcare, and government services, which are quickly becoming more and more online.
It is so important, in fact, that it is required by law in a lot of situations, with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) defining access to information and communications technologies, which includes the Web, as a basic human right.
Fortunately, web technologies make it quite easy to overcome accessibility challenges in visual, audio, and print channels. For people with impaired vision, there are screen readers. For those with impaired hearing, there is closed captioning. For people who are unable to type, there is speech-to-text.
Question #2: How can I improve the accessibility of my website?
If you have no idea how you can improve the accessibility of your website, you can start with the guidelines set by the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI).
First, you need to make sure that all non-text content on your website comes with a text alternative, such as:
- Short alt text for all image styles, graphics, buttons, and icons
- Text description of the data represented on diagrams, illustrations, and charts
- Short descriptions of all non-text content, such as video and audio files
- Labels for all inputs, form controls, and similar user interface components
Second, you need to add alternatives, such as captions, for multimedia. Examples would be:
- Captions and transcripts
- Sign language interpretation
- Narration that describes vital visual details found in a video
Third, you need to allow the user to customise the way your content is presented. You can do this by:
- Properly marking up all headings, content structures, tables, and input fields
- Ensuring all sequences of instructions and information are not dependent on one specific presentation
- Make sure browsers and assistive technologies give the user access to customisation settings
Fourth, you need to make sure that all functionality is accessible via a keyboard. This means that:
- Everything a user can do using a mouse, they must also be able to do using just their keyboard
- No part of the content should be designed to trap keyboard focus
- All browsers and authoring tools, as well as other related tools, must have keyboard support
If you wish to see the comprehensive list of WAI requirements, check out this page.
Question #3: What are the benefits of it to businesses?
The number one benefit accessibility provides businesses is that it allows them to serve more of their target customers because it takes into account the needs of persons with disabilities—temporary or otherwise—instead of focusing on just individuals with a specific set of abilities and circumstances.
In addition, brands that make accessibility their priority are also generally perceived better by the public than those who do not, making them more desirable as a result.