IntroductionLink to the Introduction of this page
Accessibility, in the context of web design, refers to making websites usable by people with disabilities.
The Importance of AccessibilityLink to the The Importance of Accessibility of this page
One in four Americans have a disability. Ignoring accessibility ignores a lot of customers who may not be able to use your website.
Benefits of AccessibilityLink to the Benefits of Accessibility of this page
Accessible websites often enhance the overall user experience. Mandating things like proper color contrast ratios and a clear hierarchy of content does not just benefit users with disabilities but improves usability for everyone.
Accessibility StandardsLink to the Accessibility Standards of this page
Accessibility is standardized by the “Web Content Accessibility Guidelines” (WCAG) which are a set of recommendations first published in 1999 by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These recommendations have since become legal requirements.
“The courts have relied on WCAG 2.0 and the DOJ has relied more specifically on WCAG 2.0, AA Conformance for determining whether a website violates Title III and as the requirements for a discriminating website to become Title III compliant.”
-American Bar Association
Overview of WCAG FeaturesLink to the Overview of WCAG Features of this page
WCAG guidelines include various criteria, grouped under four principles:
- Perceivable: Content must be presented to users in ways they can perceive.
- Operable: User interface and navigation must be operable.
- Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable.
- Robust: Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.
WCAG guidelines have 3 levels of conformance:
- A: Assistive tools work on the website.
- AA: Tools work, content is structure properly and is able to be read easily by visually impaired.
- AAA: Provides some functionality that assistive tools normally would.
ConclusionLink to the Conclusion of this page
Accessibility is legally mandated and morally imperative. It broadens your customer base and enhances user experience. Being WCAG-compliant is not just about ticking off a checklist; it’s about making the web a more inclusive space for everyone.