Championing Accessibility
Mangrove Web, a Certified B Corp
Websites that make it easier for good people to do great work.
More provocative opinions about digital accessibility from Mangrove, where we've been working on inclusive and accessible design for nearly 20 years.
Scroll to the end to learn why we named this newsletter "Clearing the Digital Ramp.
Digital accessibility love at Champions Retreat
Accessibility in the context of digital creation is more than an abstract concept or a series of steps. It’s a tangible commitment to embracing and acting on the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.?
A highlight of this year’s B Corp Champions Retreat for us was the opportunity to present on this topic alongside outstanding experts in the field (Jay Wall of Briteweb and Damon Wandke of Wandke Accessibility ).
Mangrove’s presentation covered several concepts, including how website accessibility is measured; the main principles of web accessibility—that anyone who wants to use the Web must have content that is Perceivable, Operable, Understandable and Robust (POUR); different approaches to accessibility testing; and the problem with accessibility overlay products.?
We also shared several resources we’ve found helpful on the journey to digital accessibility:
If you weren’t able to attend the retreat or couldn’t make it to the presentation and would like to learn more about digital accessibility, we love talking about it, so please feel free to reach out!
Practical advice for developing accessible websites
When our team talks to clients about website accessibility, we break it down into three categories: content, design and development.?
Many elements come into play when it comes to the development side of creating accessible websites. A whole range of edits can be done “under the hood” to ensure the website code properly interacts with screen readers and other assistive technology tools.??
Some of the key components to consider for developing accessible websites include: Alt text, ARIA attributes, navigation options, clean code structure, form labels, and tagging downloadable pdfs.?
The Winnipeg Film Group
The Winnipeg Film Group (WFG) and Dave Barber Cinematheque (DBC) are pillars of the independent filmmaking community. They support creators to learn, connect, produce, and present their works in Canada and around the world.?
As the WFG prepared to mark its 50th anniversary and pay tribute to the late Dave Barber by naming its theater after him, we had the opportunity to collaborate with our partner Message Communications on a comprehensive brand positioning strategy, revitalized visual identity, and modern new websites.??
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Two custom WordPress websites were built for the WFG and DBC. They are designed to WCAG 2.1 Level A guidelines, significantly increasing accessibility.?
Accessibility statement vs. accessibility page: What’s the difference?
Accessibility statements can be an important part of an organization’s website. They include key details about how an organization approaches accessibility, their legislation compliance, a roadmap for future improvements, and more.?
For some organizations, an accessibility page is also necessary. Organizations like physical museums, for example, can benefit from creating pages like this to help people with disabilities understand what to expect from an experience. In a recent article, Tom Babinszki explores the differences, and what to include in each.?
Small changes in design equal big impact for older adults?
Designing accessible websites is about creating inclusive digital spaces that work for as many users as possible, including older adults. Due to the natural process of aging, older adults have different needs when it comes to products and technology. There is much to be learned from older adults when it comes to accessible design and small changes can have a big impact.?
Have you read the WebAIM Million??
In case you missed it, WebAIM recently released their 2024 report on the accessibility of the top 1,000,000 home pages. The results shared in the report offer important insight into the current state of web accessibility for individuals with disabilities, as well as a look at trends over time.?
Why did we title this newsletter "Clearing the Digital Ramp"? The cartoon below illustrates how clearing or shoveling a ramp creates access for all. When we improve digital accessibility, we are clearing "ramps" to create an easier path forward for ALL users.
If you are interested in understanding more about digital accessibility or engaging Mangrove to support you to design or develop a more accessible brand and website, reach out !