Understanding Website Accessibility

Website accessibility is becoming increasingly important due to the growing number of individuals with disabilities, which can range from physical and sensory impairments to cognitive and intellectual challenges. With such a large population affected, websites must be designed to accommodate all users.

According to a study by the World Health Organization and the CDC, 16% of the world’s population and 26% of the U.S. population have a disability. This means that over 1 billion people globally, and around 86 million people in the U.S., could have difficulty using websites without accessibility in mind.

Making your website accessible ensures that all individuals, including those with disabilities, can:

• Navigate. Easily move through your site.
• Understand. Access content that is clear and easy to comprehend.
• Interact. Engage with your website through accessible features and controls.

In addition to creating an inclusive experience, businesses must follow the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires websites to be accessible to people with disabilities. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide the standards for meeting this requirement.

Follow these guidelines to avoid expensive legal issues. In 2023, over 4,600 ADA-related lawsuits were filed, with the highest numbers originating from New York, Florida, and California, which could have been prevented with proper accessibility measures in place.

Ensuring your website is accessible helps you meet legal requirements, promote inclusivity, and bring various benefits that can fuel your business’s growth.

How Website Accessibility Can Benefit Your Business

By prioritizing accessibility, you create an inclusive digital space and unlock key businesses that benefit you.

1. Broaden your audience reach. A survey by the National Federation of the Blind found that nearly 80% of visually impaired people can use the Internet if the website is designed with accessibility. By making your website accessible, you’re opening up your products, services, and information to a significant portion of the global population that may otherwise face barriers to access.
2. Ensure legal compliance. Complying with ADA and WCAG guidelines helps protect your business from legal risks, as non-compliance can lead to costly lawsuits. The surge in these cases underscores the importance of making your website accessible to all users.
3. Improve user experience (UX). Simple elements like straightforward navigation, descriptive alt text for images, and keyboard-friendly designs can benefit not only people with disabilities but also elderly individuals, those with limited bandwidth, and anyone browsing in challenging environments.
4. Boost SEO. Websites that comply with WCAG guidelines often perform better in search engine optimization (SEO) because they’re easier for search engine crawlers to understand, which can lead to more traffic and increased conversion rates.

Vanessa Revillas, Senior Web Developer at Smart Works, further highlights the significance of accessibility, stating:

Incorporating accessibility into our web development helps our clients expand their audience, improve brand reputation, and provide a better user experience.

By addressing accessibility, you go beyond compliance to create a more inclusive, user-friendly, and optimized website. This strategic approach enhances user satisfaction, broadens your reach, boosts SEO, and positions your business as forward-thinking and inclusive.

Practical Steps to Create an Inclusive Online Experience

Creating an inclusive online experience starts with understanding the fundamental principles of website accessibility. WCAG emphasizes four key principles, often referred to as the POUR principles:

1. Perceivable. Information should be accessible to all users
   • Add text alternatives (alt text for images, transcripts for videos).
   • Ensure sufficient color contrast (4.5:1 for standard text, 3:1 for large text).
   • Allow users to resize text without losing functionality.
2. Operable. Users must be able to interact with your website
   • Ensure all interactive elements (buttons, forms, menus) are keyboard accessible.
   • Avoid auto-scrolling or time limits for content interaction.
   • Organize content with clear headings and features like “skip to content” buttons.
3. Understandable. The site is easily comprehensible.
   • Use simple language and provide clear instructions.
   • Design predictable layouts and navigation.
4. Robust. Content must work across devices, browsers, and assistive technologies
   • Use clean, semantic code for compatibility with screen readers.
   • Regularly test your website to ensure functionality with assistive tools.

By incorporating these principles and steps, you can create a website that not only complies with accessibility standards but also delivers a better experience for all users, regardless of ability.

Make Your Websites Accessible to All with Smart Works

Creating an inclusive online experience is not just a legal or moral responsibility—it’s also a smart business strategy. Ensuring your website is accessible expands your audience, meets regulatory standards, improves user experience, and boosts SEO performance.

At Smart Works, we recognize the importance of accessibility in today’s digital-first world. Regardless of your industry or business size, making your website accessible is essential. Our team specializes in implementing practical, effective changes to help your site become more inclusive, welcoming, and efficient for all users.

Let’s work together to create a web that truly works for everyone, regardless of ability or circumstance. Contact us to learn more about how we can make your website more accessible and impactful.

Sources:

Disability;
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines;
https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/

Disability impacts all of us;
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-impacts-all.html

Understanding Website Accessibility;
https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/03/20/understanding-the-importance-of-web-accessibility/