What Is Digital Accessibility & Why Is It Important?

What Is Digital Accessibility? 🦼

Simply put, digital accessibility is all about ensuring everyone can use and access digital artefacts like websites, apps, and electronic devices, regardless of their abilities.

Let’s take an analogy to understand this better. Just like how buildings have ramps and elevators so that people in wheelchairs can enter and move around quickly, digital accessibility works to make sure that websites and apps have features that make them usable for people with different abilities.

For example, some people may have trouble seeing things on a screen properly, so websites should have options to make the text bigger or have higher contrast. Other people may have difficulty using a mouse, so websites should have options to navigate with just the keyboard. In that sense, digital accessibility is important because it allows everyone, including people with disabilities, to participate and enjoy all the benefits technology offers.

In other words, digital accessibility refers to the design and development of digital content and technology that can be accessed and used by people with disabilities. This includes ensuring that websites, applications, documents, and other digital content can be accessed by people with various disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, and cognitive disabilities.

The goal of digital accessibility is to ensure that all individuals, regardless of ability or disability, can use and interact with digital content in the same way as those without disabilities. This is achieved by adhering to a set of guidelines and standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which provide recommendations for creating digital content that is accessible to people with disabilities. That is to say, digital accessibility is an essential aspect of inclusion and equity, as it enables people with disabilities to fully participate in society, access information, and engage with others online.

In this blog article, we will take a look at why digital accessibility is essential for all internet users and how companies can adopt the fundamental principles of digital accessibility to make their websites and/or applications more accessible and, thereby, more effective.

POUR Principles Of Web Accessibility 💡

There are four major principles of digital or web accessibility. These principles ensure that digital content is accessible to all users, regardless of ability, providing an inclusive digital experience for everyone. The POUR principles are as follows.

👁️ Perceivable

Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they perceive. This includes ensuring that text alternatives are provided for non-text content, such as images and videos, and providing captions and audio descriptions for multimedia content.

⚙️ Operable

User interface components and navigation must be operable through various methods, including keyboard navigation, touch and gesture input, and voice commands. This enables users with a range of disabilities, such as motor impairments, to effectively use and interact with digital content.

🧠 Understandable

Information and the operation of user interface components must be understandable. This includes designing straightforward, easy-to-read content, using consistent navigation, and providing clear instructions and feedback.

🦾 Robust

Content must be powerful enough to be interpreted by various user agents, including assistive technologies. This includes ensuring the code is well-formed and follows established accessibility guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Why Is Digital Accessibility Important? ✨

Digital accessibility has many benefits beyond just making technology usable for people with disabilities. Here are some of the most significant benefits of implementing digital accessibility.

🙋 Improved User Experience 

In the digital world, user experience (UX) is crucial to website design and functionality. The way users interact with a website can make or break their engagement with a company or organisation. Digital accessibility is vital in enhancing the user experience by creating digital content and services accessible to all users, regardless of ability.

A website designed with digital accessibility in mind is more user-friendly and provides a better overall experience for all users. For example, a website intended to be navigable using a keyboard alone will be more usable for people with motor impairments who cannot use a mouse. Similarly, providing clear and concise text and using clear headings will make the content more accessible to users with cognitive disabilities.

Another aspect of improved user experience through digital accessibility is the ability to reach a wider audience. When a website is designed with accessibility in mind, it becomes more inclusive and welcoming to users with disabilities. This leads to a higher engagement with the website, which can increase traffic and conversions. In addition, a website that is designed with digital accessibility in mind can also be more cost-effective. By incorporating accessibility from the start, the website can be built to be usable by a broader range of users, avoiding the need for expensive retrofits and redesigns.

☮️ Increased Inclusivity & Diversity

Digital technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, and access to the internet and digital content has never been more critical. However, not all individuals have equal access to this technology, especially those with disabilities. Digital accessibility addresses this disparity by making digital content and technology usable by individuals with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and diversity.

Inclusivity in the digital world means ensuring everyone has access to online information and services equally. By making digital content and technology accessible to all users, regardless of ability, organisations can create a more inclusive digital environment. This can increase engagement and participation from a broader range of individuals, promoting diversity in the online community.

In addition, making digital content and technology accessible to individuals with disabilities also benefits society as a whole. It ensures everyone has equal access to information, resources, and opportunities, regardless of ability. This can lead to a more informed and engaged population, promoting greater understanding and empathy toward individuals with disabilities.

👩‍⚖️ Legal Compliance

In recent years, the importance of digital accessibility has gained significant attention, not just for its benefits in terms of improving the user experience but also for its legal implications. As a result, many countries have enacted laws and regulations that require organisations to make their digital content and technology accessible to individuals with disabilities.

For example, in the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires all public entities and private companies that offer goods and services to the public to make their websites and digital content accessible. The European Union has also enacted similar regulations, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which sets standards for web accessibility.

Likewise, in Canada, organisations must comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). This act sets standards for accessibility in areas such as customer service, employment, transportation, and information and communications. AODA also requires organisations to make their websites and digital content accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Incorporating digital accessibility into website design and development from the beginning can help organisations avoid any legal consequences and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Furthermore, by making digital content and technology accessible to all users, organisations can provide a better user experience, demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity and diversity, and ensure that they comply with the law.

🔎 Better Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

In addition to improving the user experience and ensuring legal compliance, Digital accessibility can positively impact an organisation’s search engine optimisation (SEO). This refers to optimising a website to improve its ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs).

By making a website accessible to individuals with disabilities, organisations can also improve their website’s ranking in search engines such as Google. This is because search engines favour websites that provide a good user experience and are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

For example, incorporating alternative text descriptions for images and providing clear and concise navigation can improve a website’s SEO by making it easier for search engines to understand the content and structure of the website. Additionally, providing closed captioning for video content and ensuring that the website is usable with just a keyboard can help improve a website’s ranking in search engines.

WCAG Web Accessibility Standards 📐

WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. It’s an internationally recognised set of guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), providing a technical standard for web accessibility. WCAG aims to make web content accessible to people with disabilities, including those with visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities.

WCAG includes a set of guidelines organised around the POUR digital accessibility principles we discussed previously: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. These principles outline the basic features of web content and technology to be accessible to people with disabilities. Each principle includes specific guidelines divided into three conformance levels (A, AA, and AAA), with Level AA being the most widely adopted and commonly used standard.

Aside from the WCAG, other international web accessibility standards exist, such as the Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) specification and the User Agent Accessibility Guidelines (UAAG). These digital accessibility standards provide a framework for digital accessibility, including guidance on designing and developing websites, software applications, and other digital content and technologies accessible to people with disabilities.

Some of the critical elements of WCAG web accessibility standards include:

• Alternative text for images: Providing alternative text descriptions for images allows people with visual impairments to understand the image’s content.
• Text transcripts & captions for audio & video: Providing text transcripts and captions for audio and video content allows people with hearing impairments to access the content.
• Keyboard accessibility: Ensuring that all functionality is accessible through a keyboard is essential for people with mobility impairments who may not be able to use a mouse or other pointing device.
• Colour contrast: Ensuring that there is sufficient colour contrast between text and background is vital for people with visual impairments who may have difficulty reading content that does not have enough contrast.
• Clear & straightforward language: Using clear and simple language helps to ensure that content is accessible to people with cognitive disabilities who may have difficulty understanding complex language.

Ensuring that digital content and technologies are accessible is a legal requirement in many countries and an ethical and social responsibility. By following digital accessibility standards, businesses and organisations can ensure their digital content and technologies are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

Needs For Implementing Digital Accessibility 🎯

Implementing digital accessibility has become increasingly important in recent years as the world becomes increasingly digital. Here are some of the reasons why digital accessibility is crucial.

🌉 Bridging The Digital Divide

The rapid advancement of technology has made digital content and technology a critical aspect of our daily lives. However, for individuals with disabilities, access to digital content and technology can be a challenge, leading to a digital divide.

Digital accessibility is critical in bridging this digital divide and ensuring all individuals, including those with disabilities, have equal access to digital content and technology. Without digital accessibility, individuals with disabilities may be excluded from accessing digital content and technology, impacting their ability to participate fully in society.

For example, a person with a visual impairment may struggle to access a website that is not optimised for screen readers, making it difficult to access important information and resources. By making digital content and technology accessible to individuals with disabilities, organisations can help bridge the digital divide and provide equal access to digital content and technology for all users.

📈 Meeting The Needs Of An Ageing Population

The world’s population is ageing, and with that, there is a growing need for digital content and technology to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. As the number of individuals with disabilities continues to increase, so does the need for digital accessibility to meet their needs.

By incorporating digital accessibility into website design and development, organisations can help ensure their digital content and technology are accessible to all users, including aged individuals. This can improve their ability to participate fully in society and access important information and resources.

For example, older adults may experience age-related declines in vision, hearing, and mobility, making accessing digital content and technology. By making their websites and applications accessible, organisations can help meet the needs of this growing population and ensure that they are not excluded from accessing critical information and resources.

🎨 Fostering Innovation & Creativity

Digital accessibility not only helps ensure that individuals with disabilities can access and use digital content and technology, but it also fosters innovation and creativity. By designing and creating accessible web content, organisations can tap into new markets and user groups, leading to new opportunities for digital innovation and growth.

Integrating digital accessibility into website design and development can lead to the creation of new technologies and products that are accessible to individuals with disabilities. This can lead to new business opportunities and the development of new and innovative products and services.

For example, accessible gaming technology can provide a new market for video game designers and developers. Additionally, accessible e-learning platforms can offer a unique opportunity for educational institutions to reach a broader range of students, including those with disabilities.

👔 Providing Business Opportunities

Digital accessibility not only benefits individuals with disabilities but also provides business opportunities for organisations. By incorporating digital accessibility into website/software design and development projects, organisations can tap into new markets and reach a wider audience, increasing business opportunities.

Making digital content and technology accessible to individuals with disabilities opens up a new market for organisations. This can lead to increased business opportunities, as individuals with disabilities represent a significant and growing demographic with purchasing power.

For example, by making their websites and custom software accessible, organisations can reach individuals with disabilities who may not have been able to access their products and services before. This can increase sales and revenue and help organisations grow and expand their reach.

How To Embrace Digital Accessibility In Your Business 👨‍💼

Embracing digital accessibility into your business requires a concerted effort and a willingness to prioritise accessibility in all aspects of your digital presence. Here are some steps you can take to incorporate digital accessibility into your business:

1. Educate yourself & your team: Start by learning about digital accessibility and its guidelines and standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Next, ensure your team knows the importance of digital accessibility and understands how to design and develop accessible digital content and technologies.
2. Conduct an accessibility audit: Conduct an audit of your digital content and technologies to identify areas where accessibility can be improved. Various online tools and services can help you conduct an accessibility audit, or you can hire an accessibility consultant to achieve a more comprehensive audit.
3. Prioritise accessibility in your design & development process: Incorporate accessibility into your design and development process from the outset. This means considering accessibility at every stage of the process, from wireframing and prototyping to final development and testing. You should also ensure that accessibility is required for all third-party tools and services you use.
4. Provide alternative content: Ensure you provide alternative content for users who cannot access certain types of content or functionality. This may include giving video captions, alternative text for images, and keyboard-only navigation options for users who cannot use a mouse.
5. Train your team: Train your team on how to design and develop accessible digital content and technologies. This may include providing training on accessibility guidelines and standards and training on how to use assistive technology to test and validate accessibility.

By incorporating digital accessibility into your business, you can ensure that all users, including those with disabilities, have equal access to digital content and technologies. This can help you to reach a wider audience and create a more inclusive online environment.

Final Words: What Is Digital Accessibility? 📋

To reiterate, digital accessibility ensures that people with disabilities are not excluded from accessing and using digital technologies. People with disabilities often face technological barriers limiting their access to information, products, and services. Digital accessibility removes these barriers and creates an inclusive online environment where everyone can participate equally.

One of the key benefits of digital accessibility is that it allows people with disabilities to participate fully in society. This includes accessing online information, communication, and commerce. For example, people with visual impairments may use screen readers to access the website content. In contrast, people with mobility impairments may use specialised keyboards or other assistive technology to navigate websites. By designing digital content and technologies to be accessible, businesses and organisations can ensure that all people have equal access to information and services.

We also need digital accessibility to improve the user experience for everyone. Many of the accessibility features that are designed for people with disabilities, such as closed captions or text-to-speech capabilities, can also benefit people without disabilities. For example, closed captions can be helpful for people in noisy environments — or for those watching videos in a language they are not fluent in. By prioritising accessibility in the design of digital products and services, businesses can create better experiences for all users.

Overall, digital accessibility is crucial for creating an inclusive and accessible online environment. By designing digital content and technologies to be accessible, businesses and organisations can ensure that people with disabilities can fully participate in society while also improving the user experience for everyone.

If you need more information about digital accessibility — or ways to incorporate digital accessibility for your business — feel free to reach out to us for a friendly chat. We’re always happy to hear from you!