Breaking Down Barriers | Why Website Accessibility Matters
Imagine this… You have a visual impairment and are trying to navigate a website that isn’t accessible.
You can’t see the text, or the colors are too similar to distinguish. Or perhaps you have a motor disability, making it difficult to use a mouse or type quickly. Every click becomes a challenge, and simple tasks like filling out a form or reading a product description become frustratingly time-consuming.
According to the WebAIM Million 2024 report, which analyzes the accessibility of the top one million home pages, found that in 2024, 95.9% of these websites had detectable WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) conformance failures. An average of 56.8 errors per page, to be exact.
HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW…..
27% of Canadians over the age of 15 identify as having a disability.
48% of those Canadians with disabilities encounter barriers related to information and communication technologies (ICT).
71% of people with disabilities abandon a website if it's difficult to use.
86% of people with disabilities use the web at least once a week.
$1 trillion is the estimated global market for people with disabilities.
For most of us, we browse the web every day without a second thought. Imagine trying to use a website and constantly running into problems?
How FRUSTRATING!
The Importance of Website Accessibility
Accessibility isn’t just becoming a technical or legal requirement, it’s a moral one.
FACT 👉 In many countries, there are laws and regulations governing website accessibility. Non-compliance can result in legal penalties.
FACT 👉 Everyone deserves equal access to information and services found online.
FACT 👉 Accessible websites can reach a wider audience, leading to increased customer base and revenue, not to mention better user experiences for everyone.
By making a few simple changes, you can ensure that everyone can enjoy your website.
Clear and Concise Headings
Use heading tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to structure your content.
These headings help screen readers understand the hierarchy of your page.
Descriptive Alt Text
Add descriptive alt text to all your images.
This helps screen readers understand the image context.
Color Contrast
Ensure good color contrast between text and background.
This improves readability for people with visual impairments.
Keyboard Navigation
Make sure your website can be fully navigated with a keyboard.
This is essential for people who can't use a mouse.
Mobile-Friendly Design
A mobile-friendly site is an accessible site.
Ensure your website is easy to use on all devices.
While there are tools that folks with disabilities are able to utilize (like screen readers, screen magnifiers, voice recognition software, and alternative input devices) there are apps that designers like me can integrate to help out your site.
Cue accessiBe, the industry leader and pioneer of an AI-powered solution called accessWidget. It’s a cost-efficient software solution that automates the process of making your site accessible and compliant.
Watch this 3-minute demo and this video of a person who is blind using accessWidget.
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion social movement is growing exponentially. Accessibility is a human right, and brands that prioritize it send a clear, positive message that they care about all members of their communities.
Let's work together to make the web a more welcoming place for everyone!
