How Does It Help Make Digital Content More Accessible?
Would you modify your website to assist more than one-quarter of your visitors? It should be easy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 26% of American adults are impaired, and many of these conditions have an influence on how individuals consume digital information.
Businesses may enhance the user experience for individuals with disabilities by embracing digital accessibility best practices. They may also gain additional benefits that will boost their bottom line.
Companies may turn to QualityLogic for assistance in making their content more accessible. They examine online material to determine what sorts of designs are required to create a digitally accessible website. This involves informing all personnel about the necessity of accommodating all users so that they, too, may become more aware.
What is Digital Accessibility, Exactly?
As described, digital accessibility is a feature of a website or app that makes it easier for persons with disabilities to use. In the same way that wheelchair ramps and Braille signs make it simpler for certain individuals to enter, move about, and utilize physical areas, best practices for accessibility make it easier for persons with disabilities to use digital domains.
What is Necessary For Digital Access?
Most arguments on accessibility center on Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which “prohibits disability discrimination in the operation of places of public accommodation.” The applicability of this law to digital properties is also being contested. Websites and mobile applications that link customers to the goods and services of places of public accommodation are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This was just confirmed by a circuit court.
The Web Content Accessibility Recommendations (WCAG) are largely accepted as the most effective guidelines for making websites and applications accessible. WCAG was created by the World Wide Web Consortium’s digital accessibility Initiative to produce a common standard for web content accessibility.
Visual, auditory, linguistic, cognitive, neurological, and physical disabilities can all make using digital resources challenging. Here are some examples of how best practices might be applied in each of these areas:
Visual
To aid screen readers, provide alternate language for photos and organize headers in a sensible sequence.
Audio
Audio and video material should include closed captions and transcripts.
Speech
- Provide alternative means of contacting you other than the phone, as well as alternative methods of entering information other than speaking.
- Disorders of cognition and neurological function
- Make it easy to understand how to utilize navigation and page layouts.
Physical
Allow those without a mouse to enter data using the keyboard.
What Are the Benefits of Digital Access For Businesses?
The most apparent argument is that making your websites and apps accessible is the correct thing to do. Access to internet services and information for people with disabilities should be equal to that of everyone else. Accessibility is a socially inclusive act that removes obstacles and allows all users to connect favorably with your company.
Accessibility may also have an impact on how consumers, potential customers, and staff perceive your firm. People are more inclined to support companies that pledge to do the right thing for society. This is what is known as “business social responsibility.” Users, both with and without impairments, are more likely to like your brand if they notice that you’ve gone above and beyond to eliminate obstacles and make the experience pleasurable for everybody.
Digital Accessibility Benefits People From All Walks of Life
Best accessibility measures may help all users, not just those with permanent impairments. When was the last time you walked around the gym while watching TV with closed captioning? This is only one example of a feature that benefits both persons with disabilities and a larger population of people. Accessibility is also advantageous for persons who face temporary or unexpected limits.
Consider the possibility of just having one arm. This might be due to a handicap, a broken arm, or caring for a newborn child. Visual assistance may be useful for people who have cataracts or who are just not paying attention while driving. Closed captioning may be the most helpful to persons who have hearing loss. At some time in their life, just about everyone can benefit from being able to read rather than merely hear.
There are several ways you may unknowingly employ accessibility features. Everyone will benefit from our efforts to make everyone feel welcome. Not to add that persons with impairments will have the same access to media as others. It benefits everyone.
What Does the Law Say?
At the time this article was created, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) had not specifically amended ADA guidelines to include internet accessibility. Instead, the Justice Department stuck to its long-held view that the ADA applies to digital accessibility.
On the other hand, other laws may be assessed based on how straightforward they are to implement online. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires federal departments and agencies to make good-faith efforts to deliver information in formats usable by individuals with disabilities. If they are unable to do so, they must provide an alternative method for individuals with disabilities to access the data and information supplied by such information systems. Access must be equitable for those with and without impairments.
The Communications Act of 1934 was updated in 2010 to include the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CCVA). This legislation creates new criteria to guarantee that persons with impairments have access to current technology. The Act’s Title I defines accessibility standards for “advanced” telecommunications equipment and services. Title II of the statute mandates accessibility for TVs, television services, television programming, and streaming media.
Because of Directive (EU) 2016/2102, which went into force in 2016 and made accessibility requirements universal across the EU, the European Union now has its own regulations. A directive is a piece of EU legislation that identifies the ultimate aim but leaves it up to the member states to figure out how to get there.
Summary
The concept of accessibility is central to a worldwide movement that is changing people’s expectations. As you read this, large firms like Microsoft are making strides that will propel them to the forefront of their respective areas. Facebook introduced additional capabilities, such as configurable font sizes and enhanced interaction with screen readers, to make its content more accessible. Meanwhile, Twitter launched an Accessibility Center of Excellence to work with groups from diverse industry sectors to make the platform more accessible.
If you’re worried that your firm won’t be able to stay up in terms of accessibility, get in touch with QualityLogic to find out how they can assist. A professional may evaluate your present tools for free and provide recommendations on improving your offerings. Visit www.qualitylogic.com to discover more.
