Digital accessibility refers to the inclusive practice of removing barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to, websites, apps, and other digital products for people with disabilities. When we design inclusively, we help create experiences that work for everyone.
What is Digital Accessibility?
Digital accessibility means building digital products like websites, mobile apps, or computer software so they can be used effectively by people with disabilities. This includes those with impairments related to vision, hearing, mobility, cognition, speech, and more.
Key Topics in Digital Accessibility
Here are some key topics to become familiar with regarding digital accessibility:
- Assistive technologies – Hardware and software that helps people with disabilities use computer devices more effectively. Examples include screen readers, switches, eye trackers, and screen magnifiers.
- WCAG – The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines standard published by W3C that provides best practice recommendations for accessible design.
- Accessible rich internet applications (ARIA) – An addition to HTML that improves accessibility of web pages, especially complex user interfaces and dynamic content. You can find more information about ARIA in this article: making your sites and apps accessible with ARIA
- Alternative text (alt text) – Provides text alternatives for non-text content like images. Important for users with vision impairments that rely on screen readers.
- Keyboard accessibility – Enabling full use and navigation with only a keyboard for those who cannot use a mouse.
- Colour contrast – Following standards for colour and contrast so content remains legible for those with colour blindness or low vision.
- Page structure – Using proper semantic HTML elements and headings to convey document structure and organization.
Making inclusive design part of your process will help provide more equal access for all users to engage with the content and services you provide. With some learning and preparation, digital accessibility is achievable for all sites and apps.
