Website Accessibility continues to be a relevant concern
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
In a world where technology is constantly evolving, it's essential to build websites that can be accessed by everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Making a website accessible doesn't just benefit those with disabilities. It also benefits businesses and organizations, as an inclusive website increases conversions and customer loyalty. However, there can also be legal ramifications, as shown by the upcoming case going to the Supreme Court. But before we get into that, as a recap:
What is an Accessible Website?
An accessible website is a website that has been designed to be accessible for all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. An accessible website should include features such as assistive technology, screen readers and color combinations that make it easier for the visually impaired to access content. Other accessibility requirements include ensuring form fields are labeled properly (for screen readers), ensuring search engines can index your site, and implementing WCAG 2.0 guidelines. Making your website accessible also means taking into consideration how people with different disabilities interact with websites, such as deaf users or individuals with limited mobility. Accessible websites should also ensure that all online forms are easily navigable and fillable by those with disabilities.
Not only will making your website accessible improve user experience across the board, but it's also important to note that government entities and those receiving federal funding must follow certain accessibility standards and guidelines set forth by federal agencies. Failure to do so could result in loss of funding or other sanctions. By keeping accessibility in mind when building a website, you can help ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to access your content without encountering any unnecessary barriers.
By designing an accessible website, you can create an environment that is equitable for all users regardless of their abilities or disabilities. This ensures everyone can access your content without any obstacles, and ultimately leads to a better overall experience.
Making a Website Accessible
Ensuring your website is accessible is not only the right thing to do, but it can also benefit your business in a variety of ways. Having an accessible website means that individuals with disabilities can access the same content and services as those without disabilities, making them feel included and respected. Additionally, having an accessible website can help you reach new customers who may have been previously unable to use your website due to accessibility barriers.
In order to make sure your website is accessible, you must adhere to various accessibility requirements and guidelines such as WCAG 2.0 – these standards ensure that all form fields, search engines, online forms and other web content are made available for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, government entities such as federal agencies and websites must also meet certain accessibility guidelines so they can be accessed by deaf users or other individuals with disabilities.
By keeping accessibility in mind when designing your website you can create a user experience that everyone can enjoy. From choosing the right color combinations for text and background to testing for usability on various devices, following accessibility standards will ensure that everyone has a positive experience when visiting your site.
By taking the time to make sure your website is accessible, you can create a better user experience for everyone and ensure that all users are respected and included.
Legal Ramifications
So then, it still continues to be important for businesses, non-profit organizations, and government entities to make sure their websites are ADA compliant. Legal wrangling still continues related to websites that are not ADA compliant and a case is headed to the US Supreme Court about this very thing, click the following link to learn more: