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Imagine you’re playing a video game for the first time and the instructions are hard to understand. That’s how the internet feels people with learning disabilities. This is where digital accessibility comes in to make sure that online spaces are easy to navigate for everyone, regardless of their ability.
Navigating the complex world of accessibility compliance can be a daunting task for any company. Consider accessibility laws like the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA), the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), all of which are evolving constantly. This means that staying compliant requires a proactive approach.
Imagine the frustration of not being able to access travel information like schedules, tickets, changes, or policies because a website is hard to navigate, or the confusion when encountering newly procured elevators with touch screens that are still largely inaccessible to blind people because they require the user to locate objects on the screen visually.
When it comes to improving the accessibility of your website, documents, or built spaces, the first step is always a detailed accessibility audit. It might sound like an involved and complicated task. Yet, it’s a critical tool when it comes to improving the accessibility and inclusivity of your organization.
Alt text is an essential element in making documents, images, and infographics accessible to individuals with visual impairments. It provides a textual alternative to visual content, enabling screen readers to convey the message to users who cannot see the images. However, the creation of alt text often presents challenges for organizations, leading some to seek external solutions.
In today’s digital environment, creating accessible documents is a huge part of web accessibility. When we talk about creating accessible documents, what we’re referring to is making digital documents and their contents — text, images and any graphics — accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.
Beyond the moral reasons to make your website accessible for people with disabilities, there is a legal obligation as well. But the myriad of legal and regulatory requirements — spanning not just accessibility, but also privacy, data protection and other considerations — can make it difficult to navigate the complex task of making your website compliant.
NDEAM—short for National Disability Employment Awareness Month—takes place every October, where we recognize the skills of employees with disabilities that contribute to the workplace.
What do you think of when someone mentions Accessibility Barriers?
Does it perhaps pertain to buildings or sidewalks with a narrow walkway unsuitable for wheelchairs? How about infographics with no alternative text (alt text)?
While society has come a long way in creating more accessible environments, persistent challenges remain as barriers to total inclusivity.
Accessibility barriers are challenges or obstacles that limit individuals with disabilities from accessing or using either digital content, products, or physical spaces. These obstacles not only affect individuals with disabilities but also impact the broader community by:
It’s no secret that digital accessibility has become a crucial aspect of web development. Digital content that’s up to date on the latest accessibility standards ensures that all users, regardless of disabilities, can access and interact with online content seamlessly.
