What is web accessibility and its utility?

Today we will talk about accessibility and why it is important. This article will highlight the value of the internet as an important networking tool and the value of fair barrier-free access for disabled people and elderly people. 

First of all, what is web accessibility? Web accessibility is a design that is useful when it is available to any user, anywhere, everywhere and any time. We sometimes confuse the notion of accessibility for disabled people, in certain cases, and situations, though we are all impaired. It's all about human accessibility. 

Components of web accessibility

1. Content

First, you need to adapt your content. That means web page or web app material, including data such as images, text and audio code or sound markup that describes the layout, presentation etc. 

2. Web browsers and other "user agents"

User agents include for instance browsers, browser extensions, media players, readers and other applications that make your content visible for your users. You need to think about the norm UAAG 2.0 from the The User Agent Accessibility Guidelines. By following this norm, you will improve your web accessibility through its own user interface and its ability to communicate with other technologies.

3. Assistive technology

Assistive technology includes for instance screen scanners, alternative keyboards, switches search applications etc. The goal is to help people with disabilities to use your website in a properly way. 

4. Perceivable guidelines

You have to provide to your audience some alternatives text for instance to help blind people to understand your images. It could be also content that changes into other forms for instance larger buttons, braille, symboles etc, to provide a perfect navigation on your website for everyone.

Why is it important?

If we take for example a mobile phone. It is a perfect example of usability challenges for users. When we use mobile phones, we use it in many different ways. As programmers, we need usability for all and in any sense with the pervasiveness of handheld intelligent devices!

In many nations, it is not only moral; it is also a legal obligation to create accessibility. There are laws in Europe in order to discourage disability discrimination; it will cost a corporation dearly if these regulations are not complied with. Compliance is less expensive, but it also pays large dividends.

The excellent thing is that usability requirements are available and simple to understand. Better still, we can easily apply them when we deem them at the beginning of the design phase. Accessibility is just an access function. For example, individuals with visuals cannot read the text on your site. Moroever, you can use computer software to hear your words if you have formatted your text properly.

 

To conclude this article, accessibility design requires a few things in advance. Consider the choices in the planning process based on developmental accessibility. It is easy to stay focus on the content and forgetting about accessibility. Keeping that in mind and always monitoring your designs will help you making sure you are designing your website well.

Senora Walter Fernandes

The Interaction Design Foundation. 2021. Accessibility: Usability for all. [online] Available at: <https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/accessibility-usability-for-all> [Accessed 14 March 2021].

(WAI), W., 2021. Topics for Web Accessibility Presentations and Training. [online] Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). Available at: <https://www.w3.org/WAI/teach-advocate/accessibility-training/topics/#components> [Accessed 14 March 2021].

(WAI), W., 2021. Essential Components of Web Accessibility. [online] Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). Available at: <https://www.w3.org/WAI/fundamentals/components/> [Accessed 14 March 2021].