Introduction
In today’s digital-first world, following web accessibility best practices is no longer optional, it is a necessity. With over 1 billion people worldwide living with disabilities, it is not just a moral obligation to ensure you are building inclusive applications but also a smart business decision. In this article, we will try to understand what web accessibility is, explore the importance of web accessibility, the modern standards you need to follow to adhere to web accessibility best practices, and how building inclusive applications can benefit your business.
What is Web Accessibility?
Let us start with understanding what we mean by web accessibility. Web accessibility means designing and developing websites and applications that can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities. This includes individuals with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments. Building inclusive applications with web accessibility standards, ensures that all users can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with your application with less difficulty.
Why Web Accessibility Matters?
- Legal Compliance: Many countries have laws which mandate businesses to build inclusive applications, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
- Ethical Responsibility: Everyone deserves equal access to information and services irrespective of any disability.
- Business Benefits: Accessible websites reach a wider audience, improves user experience, and enhances brand reputation.
WCAG Guidelines for Modern Accessibility Standards
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the gold standard for web accessibility. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), WCAG provides a framework for building inclusive applications. The latest version, WCAG 2.2, builds on previous guidelines and introduces new success criteria.
Key Principles of WCAG:
To design inclusive applications, one must adopt the POUR framework for holistic accessibility.
- Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presented in ways users can perceive.
Example: Providing text alternatives for non-text/multimedia content (e.g., alt text for images). - Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable by all users.
Example: Ensuring all functionality is accessible via keyboard shortcuts. - Understandable: Information and operation of the user interface must be understandable.
Example: Using clear and simple language. - Robust: Content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.
Example: Using valid HTML and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles.
Business Benefits of Web Accessibility
Building inclusive applications is not just about following compliance guidelines, but it is also a strategic advantage for the business.
Here’s how following web accessibility best practices can benefit your business:
- Expands Your Audience: By making your application accessible, you can reach millions of users with disabilities who are often excluded from digital experiences.
- Improves User Experience: Accessible design often leads to cleaner, more intuitive interfaces that benefit all users.
- Boosts SEO: Many accessibility practices, such as using alt text and semantic HTML, align with SEO best practices and can improve your search engine rankings.
- Enhances Brand Reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity can strengthen your brand’s image and build customer loyalty.
- Reduces Legal Risks: Compliance with accessibility standards minimizes the risk of lawsuits and penalties.
How to Build Inclusive Applications
Now that we have understood what web accessibility is and how building inclusive applications benefits your business, let us now look at how to build inclusive applications.
Here are actionable steps to ensure your applications meet modern accessibility standards:
- Start with Accessible Design:
- Use high-contrast color schemes and readable fonts.
- Ensure interactive elements (e.g., buttons, links) are large enough to click even on mobile devices.
- Design applications for keyboard navigation and screen readers.
- Follow WCAG Guidelines:
- Aim for at least WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance, which is the standard required by most regulations.
- Use tools like the WAVE Accessibility Tool or axe DevTools to identify and fix accessibility issues.
- Use Semantic HTML:
- Structure your content with proper headings (<h1> to <h6>), lists, and landmarks (e.g., <header>, <main>, <footer>).
- Use ARIA roles and attributes to enhance accessibility for dynamic content.
- Test with Real Users:
- Conduct usability testing with people who have disabilities to identify their pain points and areas for improvement.
- Use assistive technologies like screen readers (e.g., NVDA, JAWS) to test your application.
- Provide Alternative Content:
- Add alt text for images, captions for videos, and transcripts for audio content.
- Ensure all form fields have descriptive labels and error messages.
- Train Your Team:
- Educate developers, designers, and content creators on accessibility best practices.
- Make accessibility a core part of your development process.
Accessibility Testing Tools & Resources
Building inclusive applications starts with using the right tools and resources. Here are some essential options to consider:
- WAVE Accessibility Tool: Automatically analyzes your web pages to identify accessibility issues and provides clear visual feedback.
- axe DevTools: This handy browser extension integrates into your development process to detect and help resolve accessibility challenges.
- Lighthouse: A built-in Chrome tool that audits your site’s accessibility, performance, SEO, and more, offering actionable insights.
- Screen Readers: Test your designs with popular screen readers like NVDA (for Windows), VoiceOver (for macOS and iOS), and JAWS (for Windows) to experience your site from a user’s perspective.
- WCAG Documentation: Refer to the official Web Content Accessibility Guidelines for comprehensive criteria, examples, and best practices.
Using these tools not only helps you comply with standards but also ensures your applications are accessible to everyone.
The High Cost of Ignoring Web Accessibility: Target’s $6 Million Lesson
In 2006, Target faced a major lawsuit from the National Federation of the Blind for failing to make its website accessible to visually impaired users. The case resulted in a $6 million settlement and forced the company to redesign its site with accessibility in mind. This serves as a powerful reminder that neglecting inclusivity not only leads to legal and financial consequences but also underscores the importance of building applications that are accessible to everyone.
Conclusion
Web accessibility is not just a technical requirement, it is a commitment of a business towards inclusivity and equality. At Compileinfy, we integrate WCAG guidelines into our development processes to ensure every digital product is accessible to all users. By adhering to these WCAG guidelines for modern accessibility standards, your business can create exceptional experiences for everyone, extending reach to a broader audience, and future-proofing your business. Whether you’re a startup or an enterprise, investing in accessibility with Compileinfy’s expert guidance benefits both your users and your bottom line.
Are you still unsure how to incorporate accessibility features in your application? Begin your accessibility journey with Compileinfy today. Our team of full stack development experts will help you audit, optimize, and enhance your digital products to meet WCAG guidelines, ensuring that your business remains inclusive and competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Reach out now for a consultation and take the first step towards a more accessible future.
