What is accessibility?
Web accessibility refers to designing and developing digital content and technologies so that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with them effectively. This includes making websites, applications, and digital tools usable by people with various disabilities including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological impairments.
Why it matters
Web accessibility matters for several important reasons:
- It ensures digital content can be used by people with various disabilities including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological impairments.
- It enables all users to effectively perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with digital content.
- It follows established standards and principles, such as WCAG’s core principles of being Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust.
- It requires implementation of key features like:
- Alternative text for images
- Keyboard navigation
- Screen reader compatibility
- It helps organizations comply with legal requirements and standards.
Legal requirements and standards
key legal requirements and standards for web accessibility:
- Laws and Regulations
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Requires businesses and organizations to make their websites accessible to people with disabilities
- Section 508 – Mandates federal agencies make their electronic and information technology accessible
- European Accessibility Act – EU legislation requiring digital products and services to be accessible
- Technical Standards
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) – The primary international standard for web accessibility
- EN 301 549 – European standard for digital accessibility requirements
Organizations need to comply with these requirements to ensure legal compliance and follow established standards like WCAG’s core principles of being Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust.
Is your site in compliance? View available audits.