The Year of Web Accessibility: Understanding the Requirements of 2022

With most of the world in lockdown and people stuck in their homes, the digital world served as more than just a source of information and entertainment. It allowed people to live as normal as possible despite the circumstances. The internet provided them access to goods and services, enabled adults to work remotely while students attended online classes and kept families and friends in touch.

Unfortunately, another undeniable fact that the pandemic has revealed is that not everyone has easy access to the World Wide Web. Those with accessibility issues haven’t had an easy time adjusting to our "new normal." They’re more vulnerable in isolation, having difficulty accessing social, human and medical services online. In fact, according to the 2020 Web Accessibility Annual Report, 98% of US-based websites failed to meet ADA requirements.

Websites need to be fully accessible to empower people, especially those with disabilities. They should enable individuals to remain connected, informed and even entertained. In addition, accessible websites allow people to get assistance with just a click or two of a button.

ADA compliant website

There are many reasons why your business needs a fully accessible website. It improves the user experience for all your visitors which, in turn, can help improve your brand reputation. A fully accessible website increases your customer reach and it helps increase revenue. These are all good things, but the most important reasons for having an accessible website can be boiled down to the following:

Making necessary accommodations to make it inclusive

Everyone is entitled to the opportunity to use the internet the way it was intended. Most of us use the internet to obtain crucial information and access online resources to make our lives easier and more convenient. Unfortunately, some people are unable to do so.

To ensure that everyone gets equal access, businesses need to make their website more inclusive—taking into account accessibility issues that may prevent or make it difficult for certain people to navigate and interact with their website. With a more inclusive website, businesses will be able to attract more customers; specifically, those with disabilities as well as people who live with them.

Protecting your business against lawsuits

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, public sector websites must comply with web accessibility laws and standards. Businesses that don’t have ADA-compliant websites are vulnerable to lawsuits. This was made evident in 2019 when Domino's Pizza was sued by a blind customer because their website wasn’t compatible with screen-reading software, making it difficult for him to place an order. The company lost in court, and they're not the only ones. Many other companies have faced similar lawsuits, including Netflix.

So what does it take to make your website accessible?

1.   Clear and effective headings

Headings allow users to quickly see the outline of your content. Using clear and simple language will ensure that they understand what information is available on the webpage, including individuals with cognitive disabilities and low reading literacy.

Headings also allow you to break down your content into sections, making it easier to read. More importantly, it organizes your content, allowing users to quickly navigate to the section containing the information that they're looking for. This is particularly important for individuals using assistive technologies such as screen readers. Instead of letting the software read through the entire text, they can quickly jump to the section they want to read.

2.   Descriptive alt text for images

Not everyone can view the images on your website due to visual impairments. Alternative text (or alt text for short) can provide a brief description of what information is being displayed. Simply put, using alt text can ensure that everyone can understand your content, including those using screen readers. Those with slow internet will also benefit, enabling them to see the information without having to wait for the image to load.

Another added benefit to using alt text is that it helps improve your site's SEO. The text provides search engine crawlers with information on what the image is displaying, allowing them to index it correctly.

3.   Improved website navigation  

We've all encountered websites that are difficult to navigate, leaving us frustrated. Sometimes, we’re able to push through and successfully find the information we're looking for. At times, we opt for an alternative option—a different website that will allow us to achieve our goal.

Unfortunately, not all users have that luxury. As we've mentioned before, most websites are not fully accessible, leaving disabled people out of options. One of the most important features of any accessible website is consistent navigation. When a website's layout and interface are consistent, it makes it easy for users to become familiar with how to interact with the website. They can more easily predict where the information they need is located on the website.

Improved website navigation also includes allowing users to interact with the website using a keyboard. Some users are unable to use a mouse such as those with visual impairments and motor disabilities. Keyboard navigation allows them to easily access the various features and content of a website.

One side benefit of consistent navigation is SEO. It allows search engines to index your website's information more efficiently and effectively.

It's not over yet

While the world is slowly opening its doors once more, the pandemic is still ongoing. It's imperative that businesses move quickly to ensure that they’re providing everyone equal access to their goods and/or services as many people still choose to stay inside their homes. Also, the steps towards creating a fully accessible website aren’t limited to the ones we've discussed above. The list is long and continues to evolve. It's going to be a huge undertaking to ensure that most, if not all, websites are inclusive. But we have to start somewhere. Why not now?