Web accessibility is important !

Introduction

Web accessibility is the practice of designing and developing websites so that they can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities. This includes people with visual impairments, hearing impairments, mobility impairments, cognitive impairments, and other disabilities.

Web-based applications are used by billions of people every day, and these applications can be essential for people with disabilities to access information and services. Engineers need to design and develop web applications with accessibility in mind so that everyone can use them equally.

An accessible website is free of barriers that prevent people with disabilities from using it. This includes features such as:

• Images with alt text for people who are blind or have low vision

• Text that is large enough to be read by people with visual impairments

• Accessible forms that can be filled out by people with motor impairments

• Descriptive audio for videos and other multimedia content

• Redundant navigation options for people who cannot use a mouse

Accessibility Matters

Understand what is curb cuts effect.

The curb-cut effect is the phenomenon of disability-friendly features being used and appreciated by a larger group than the people they were designed for. For example, many hearing people use closed captioning. The phenomenon is named for curb cuts – miniature ramps comprising parts of the sidewalk – which were first made for wheelchair access in particular places but are now universal and no longer widely recognized as a disability-accessibility feature.

There are many benefits to designing and implementing accessible products and services.

• More users get a better experience. While each disability may affect a small percentage of people, when you add them all up, it represents a significant number of users. For example, it is estimated that 1 in 4 people in the United States have a disability. By making your products and services accessible, you can ensure that a wider range of people can use them and have a good experience.

• Accessibility features can benefit everyone. Disabilities can range from temporary (such as a broken arm) to permanent. And even people without disabilities can benefit from accessibility features. For example, a person who is temporarily unable to see well might appreciate larger text and high-contrast colors.

• Accessible products and services can help you comply with laws and regulations. In many countries, some laws require businesses to provide accessible products and services. For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States requires businesses to make their facilities accessible to people with disabilities. By making your products and services accessible, you can avoid legal liability and ensure that you are meeting your legal obligations.

• Accessible products and services can improve your bottom line. Studies have shown that accessible products and services can lead to increased sales and customer satisfaction. For example, one study found that e-commerce sites that were accessible saw a 1-2% increase in conversions.

• Accessible products and services can improve your search engine ranking. Search engines like Google take accessibility into account when ranking websites. This means that making your website accessible can help you improve your ranking in search results, which can lead to more traffic and leads.

Overall, there are many benefits to designing and implementing accessible products and services. By making your products and services accessible, you can improve the experience for a wider range of users, comply with laws and regulations, improve your bottom line, and improve your search engine ranking.

Conclusion

Web accessibility should be treated as a first-class citizen of your development workflow. It makes web applications more usable for everyone and makes business sense in most cases as well. It also gives you a competitive advantage over others and helps you avoid lawsuits.