Some Websites Are Accessible to All and Some Aren’t- Which One Are You?
Adriana Anderson
Strategic Communications | Hispanic Communications Specialist | I help organizations forge powerful relationships -online and offline- with the Hispanic/Latino audience.
In this day and age anyone with an internet connection has an amazing abundance of information available to them… or do they?
What about your existing and potential customers with visual, hearing, mobility, or cognitive disabilities? How do they access your website, your content, your offerings?
According to the Disability Statistics 2017 Annual Report, disability affects 12.8% of the American population. Does your website provide an inclusive, accessible and friendly experience for all visitors?
A priority or a choice?
Web accessibility – the art and science of making web content accessible to as many people as possible – is becoming a priority.
Many countries are now legislating accessibility standards for websites. Barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to your website by people with disabilities can be considered discrimination. 2017 saw a high number of website accessibility lawsuits filed in federal and state courts. Over the years, several corporations have had to pay a high price for not complying with web accessibility standards.
On the other hand, new technologies like wearables and automobile integration, are making accessibility a priority for everyone not just those with visual, hearing, mobility, or cognitive disabilities. Nowadays, users expect to browse the web and have it read back to them while jogging or driving.
Web Accessibility Guidelines
According to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, there are four principles which provide the foundation necessary for anyone to access and use web content, known by the acronym POUR:
- Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presented to users in ways they can perceive. This means that users must be able to see or hear the information.
- Operable: Ensure that users are able to operate the interface.
- Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be easy to understand and friendly.
- Robust: Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies. This means that users must be able to access the content as technologies advance.
At TYS we understand that accessibility is a priority in your digital strategy and we put it front and center in our design and development process, not as an afterthought.
We strongly believe in providing equal access and opportunities to everybody, and we have successfully designed, developed and implemented accessible websites and online collateral for many of our clients.
Are you ready to celebrate diversity, be inclusive, and embrace web accessibility? We have the experience that you need to get there.
Find a few tips to make the web better.
Human Resources
6 年Great post! I appreciate you providing the links to source material.?
Managing Director: Growth & Partnerships | Sharing my experience on how to develop personal and professional resilience | Keynote Speaker, Podcast Host & Father of 5
6 年Well said. Interesting to note that Alt Text (the description given to images) is intended to help the vision impaired understand the content of website. Meaning, a site would label an image of a red dress as "red dress". However, Alt Text also influences Search Engine Optimization. As a result, some websites would just cram a bunch of words in the Alt Text to make them rank higher. Ex. "red dress, red gown, red skirt". This is obviously a horrible experience for the vision impaired, and now has a negative impact on SEO.? Thanks for detailing how we can be more responsible and more inclusive.?
Best SEO Expert for Small Business since 1999.
6 年Great article. I shared it with my followers and have also included it as a resource at the bottom of a related web design article here:?https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/your-web-design-costing-you-sandy-rowley/