Introduction to Accessibility

Accessibility isn’t just a trendy hashtag or an inclusivity slogan, it’s also a profitable business model and an empowerment tool. When you transform your content to be more accessible you empower more than just your brand, you empower individuals to be a part of the conversation. That’s a powerful marketing strategy in and of itself. Ready to get people talking? Let’s get started!

What is Web Accessibility?

Web accessibility ensures that websites, tools, and technologies are usable by people with disabilities, allowing them to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Web, as well as contribute
to it. This includes accommodations for auditory, cognitive, neurological, physical, speech, and visual disabilities. Web accessibility also benefits people without disabilities, such as those using mobile devices, older adults with age-related changes, individuals with temporary impairments, those
in challenging environments, and people with
slow or limited internet connections.

Why is Web Accessibility Important?

Web accessibility promotes social inclusion and allows people with disabilities to overcome barriers. Accessible design enhances user experience, boosts satisfaction, drives innovation, expands market
reach, and is often legally required.

Accessibility is essential for developers and organizations that want to create high-quality websites and web tools and expand their audience. By integrating accessibility, entities can introduce people of varying ability levels to their products and services, promote goodwill between the brand and consumers, and grow their following.

Making Websites Accessible

Many aspects of accessibility are fairly easy to understand and implement. Some accessibility solutions are more complex and take more knowledge to implement. The most efficient and effective solution is to incorporate accessibility
from the very beginning of projects, so you don’t need to go back and re-do work.

The best thing to do to advance your website
and adhere to web accessibility is to follow the WCAG Guidelines, update content regularly
as the standards evolve, and complete regular website accessibility evaluations.

Evaluating Website Accessibility

When creating or redesigning a website, check accessibility at the beginning and throughout the process to catch problems early when they are easier to fix. Simple steps, like changing browser settings, can help you evaluate some aspects
of accessibility. A thorough evaluation to see
if a website meets all accessibility guidelines
requires more effort.

There are tools to help with evaluations, but
no tool can determine accessibility on its own. Knowledgeable human evaluation is necessary
to ensure a site is accessible.

How to Build an Accessible Website

Building an accessible website is like assembling a kite: you have the materials (W3C), the instructions, (WAI), and the kite (the finished product). When you use the tools the W3C provides and follow the WAI’s guidelines, you can successfully assemble a professional, accessible website that won’t just fly, but soar to new heights!

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops international standards for the Web: HTML, CSS,
and many more.

These are your tools and materials, the resources you will use to build your kite.

The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) develops standards and support materials to help you understand and implement accessibility.

These are your instructions, the knowledge for how to use those tools and materials to craft a functional yet beautiful kite.

When websites and web tools are properly designed and coded, people of all ability levels can use and enjoy them.

And just like that, you’ve got a kite! Make sure to maintain and update it to keep it flying faster and higher than ever!

Sponsors

We extend our gratitude to our valued sponsors of the Website Accessibility Initiative (WAI). Your generous support plays a vital role in advancing our mission to promote web accessibility for all. Thank you!

European Commission

National Institute for Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)