The Importance Of Creating Accessible Websites

• By Sarah
• General News
• 1126 Views
• 10th January 2023

When designing and building a website, a common mistake is to regard accessibility features as a ‘nice to have’ if there’s enough time and budget left to address them. However, it’s increasingly important to ensure that accessibility features are integrated throughout the user experience of your website right from the start. 

A website that has accessibility features added on after the initial design and build process is complete will be much less satisfactory and competitive in today’s online marketplace. Here’s a look at the issue in some more detail. 

 

The demand is greater than you think

Sometimes web designers or business owners have dismissive attitudes to accessibility because they think that it is an issue that affects only a small minority of users, who aren’t significant enough to warrant the extra time and effort involved. However, accessible features are not only for those with the most severe impairments.

It is estimated that about a quarter of the population has some kind of motor, vision, or cognitive disability that prevents them from using websites effectively. Furthermore, accessibility needs fluctuate among the general population. 

For example, a busy working parent may be trying to navigate a website to order essential supplies, whilst holding an infant in one arm. Many users have to access websites in busy and noisy environments, with less-than-optimal lighting conditions. The speed and reliability of internet connections in remote areas also impacts on accessibility.

 

Accessibility guidelines are set to become legally binding

In Europe and North America, legislation regarding accessible websites is either already in place, or will come into force by 2025. The Drum reports that the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will bring in new website regulations by 28 June 2025 for EU member states. 

While the new laws won’t directly apply to the UK, many businesses will be keen to comply to keep their trading operations running as smoothly as possible, and to attract and retain EU-wide customers. 

 

User friendly websites boost your SEO

It is not only the quality of your customer experience that you need to consider when including accessibility features in your website. Google now prioritises easily accessible websites in its search engine rankings, so even if your site currently sits high in the rankings, you could soon notice a slide if it does not have the latest inclusive features.

 

What are the basic web accessibility features?

The four principles of web accessibility are that the web content and user interface is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust (referred to as the acronym POUR). More in-depth guidelines can be found on the W3C web page.

Any website in 2023 should as a minimum include alternative text for images and closed captions for videos. It should also be navigable by using the keyboard only for navigation, and contain no barriers such as unavoidable click, scroll, or hover actions.

The content should also be robust enough to withstand accurate interpretation from a wide variety of up-to-date assistive technologies such as screen readers. 

 

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