Digital accessibility is the practice of building websites, digital content, and applications that can be used by a wide range of people, including those who have visual, motor, auditory, speech, or cognitive disabilities.
Accessibility features are designed to help those with disabilities use technology more easily. For example, a text-to-speech feature could read text out loud for people with impaired vision, while a speech-recognition feature lets users with limited mobility control their computer with their voice.
When a website is designed with accessibility principles in mind and built to work properly with assistive technology, it is accessible to most people. So, what are website accessibility features and how can they be used to make your website more accessible?
When the internet was created, one of its core principles was to establish equal opportunities for everyone, including persons with disabilities. One in seven people has some type of disability, which may limit their ability to interact with websites. Having an accessible website is no longer optional, it is a must-have.
When looking at your website, imagine what would happen if you:
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a vital tool for businesses and organizations striving to make their digital content accessible to all people. The WCAG is a step-by-step set of technical requirements that cover how to make your website, app or other digital assets accessible to people with a variety of disabilities.