The power of the internet lies in its universal access and utility.

It’s a resource that adds immense value to many aspects of our life. However, the truth is, there are still many virtual barriers people with disabilities face. They struggle to find information, products, and services they desire.  

The good news is that this state of affairs is coming to an end. All public sector websites will have to become accessible by 2020.

This deadline is set by Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are here to turn things around. This document is the result of individuals and organizations across the world joining forces to make the internet a better place for everyone.

It provides shared and universal standards for rendering web content accessible to people with special needs. Businesses and world governments are taking notice and devising plans of action.

Here is why accessibility is the present and future of the internet.

Legislation is Pushing for Accessibility  

The regulative climate has been shifting for years.

Access to digital communication and information became a fundamental human right under the United Nations (UN) Convention adopted in 2006.

A decade later, EU Directive set the stage for promoting accessibility.  The UK Government followed up by holding consultations regarding new rules. Their implementation into law is underway and similar processes are occurring in places like Australia as well.

These changes are the result of a historic milestone: WCAG framework. It was developed through a W3C process with the purpose of granting equal access and opportunity to all internet users.  

To be more precise, new standards are aimed at alleviating problems of people with disabilities. These impediments fall into one of following categories:

  • Visual (such as low vision and photosensitivity)
  • Auditory (hearing loss, deafness)
  • Learning
  • Speech (Stutter)
  • Physical (limited movement)
  • Cognitive (ADD, dyslexia, Asperger)
  • Language
  • Neurological

For now, the scope of WCAG is somewhat limited. Accessibility cannot be guaranteed to people of all levels, degrees, and combinations of these disabilities.

We Have a Game-Changer: WCAG

Nevertheless, WCAG 2.1 is the new benchmark we all need to adhere to.

The current version was published in June 2018 and it contains all requirements from 2.0. In other words, it’s backward-compatible.

Furthermore, the document is a technical standard, not an introductory overview.

It encapsulates a wide range of recommendations for making content more accessible.  It’s important to specify the word “content” refers both to natural information (text, images, sounds, menus, and video) and site code/markup.

Guidelines hold various actionable tips that are not dependent on specific tech solution.  Also, they are designed to be testable, via a combination of automated platforms and human evaluation.

Application is poised to take place internationally, now and in the future. So, you should make no mistake: accessibility is no longer nice-to-have. Add it to the list of must-haves, even if you are not operating in a public sector.

There’s a whole array of individuals and organizations that are employing WCAG as we speak. We are talking about areas such as web design, web development, policy making, content marketing, web authoring, education, etc.

Some of them (like web design) impact your sales and bottom line. There’s a lot at stake.

A Multi-Layered Accessibility Resource

Several principles lay the groundwork for an accessible online experience.

Namely, under WCAG 2.1, the websites have to be:

  • Operable: web navigation and keyboard functionality  are optimized
  • Understandable: text and media are easy to understand
  • Perceivable: information is obtainable via at least one sense
  • Robust: there’s cross-platform compatibility with browsers, crawlers, and assistive tech (a screen reader, for example)

Various sub-principles are linked to each of the four principles. For instance, perceivable content needs to renders in different ways. It also enables users to see elements better by separating the background from the foreground.

So, you may have to add alt tags and written description to all non-text content. Likewise, many websites will introduce alternatives to time-based media. You can use this accessibility checker and audit tools to see how you hold up.

Most corrections aren’t expensive or time-consuming to pull off. That being said, it’s preferable to make them in the early stages of development and design.

While at it, you want to focus on key aspects of your visual presentation: your color contrast, layouts, formal structure, and size of the text. If you encounter difficulties with revamping, consult professional web development and design agencies.

Having explained the principles, the next layer of WCAG comes in the form of concrete guidelines. They serve as overarching goals you should work toward.

For each of these goals, you also have testable success criteria attached. They define contractual agreements, regulative requirements, design specifications, and purchasing details. Here, there are three levels of conformance: A (lowest), AA, AAA (highest).  

Finally, you can rely on the last layer of guidelines: the list of sufficient and advisory techniques. The former are non-negotiable and integral to compliance. The latter goes beyond the bare minimum and address some potential obstacles on the road to implementation.

A Business Case for Accessibility

This may seem like a lot to handle and it can be.

Nevertheless, we expect widespread adoption to take hold. The private sector is already following suit and improving inclusiveness. There are a couple of reasons for this.

First off, adhering to guidelines makes content more usable to the general audience. The changes are particularly helpful to older segments of the population, mobile users, and people with a slower internet connection.

In this sense, accessibility reinforces best practices in digital marketing, web design, and web development. Think in terms of mobile friendliness, search engine optimization, multiple device compatibility, web usability, etc.

What is more, better accessibility positively impacts brand reputation. There’s a rising awareness of troubles people with disabilities face. And it’s not true this is just a small fraction of your audience.

Namely, studies reveal 1 in 5 internet users have some form of impairment. Unknowingly discriminating against those people can tarnish your image.  

The takeaway is clear: consider the broadest scope of application, including advisory techniques. Do your best to support social inclusion and show corporate social responsibility.

Like it or not, the Internet must deliver on its promise on free communication and interaction for everyone.

Internet as a Level Playing Field

After our physical environment, the internet is becoming a focal point of accessibility.

The adoption process revolves around a more diverse presentation of content. This means websites have to be properly recoded and redesigned. The process involves many moving parts that have to fall together seamlessly.

Be that as it may, accessibility is the right thing to do. There are still many people struggling to access your website and consume its content.   

So, why not enable them to grasp, navigate, and interact with them better?

More specifically, you need to carry out a comprehensive evaluation. Prioritize troubleshooting the common issues and figuring out fixes. Foster a stellar user experience.

At the end of the day, accessibility benefits everyone— businesses, communities, and individuals. Therefore, implement techniques sooner rather than later. Make a positive change and generate some good faith around your brand.

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